“So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.  But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison” (Luke 3:18-20).

Sinners do not like to hear the truth.  If they are in a position to do something against the truth- teller, they will.  The goodness of the Lord is unchanging.  Wickedness is wickedness, and the Lord has come to set us free from wickedness; but some do not want to be set free.  This is the state of this world.  Sinners would rather go on sinning rather than repent and live in accordance with the will of their Creator.

Lord, I see this in myself.  I do not listen to what I do not want to hear.  You have spoken the truth from the beginning, but I listen to the lies rather than to accept the truth.  Guide me into my own heart so that I may be confronted at its depths and learn to repent and believe as You give me a clean heart.  Bring me through repentance to walk in the narrow way of righteousness You grant by grace.  Take me out of the prison of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set us free.  Even if they were to lock me up in a room behind bars, in You I would still be free.  This world is mad with sin and does not want to hear the truth, but You have spoken the truth to me.  Lead me in the way of life that responds by repenting and believing in all You command.  Guide me in Your upward to call to hear and respond faithfully.  Amen.

“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:17).

What ends up being worthless has its purpose for a while.  It was lived, but now has no value.  We are each precious to the Lord; but there are those who choose to live a life that becomes worthless.  Help us to see the simple beauty of the offer of new life that You have set before us, knowing that in this age things are clouded and confused.  You offer the peace which surpasses all understanding that comes by walking with You.

Lord God, show me the places where I do not understand these things.  Help me to walk humbly in the way You have set before me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to understand that only in walking with You can I find life and live, not for myself, but according to Your purpose.  Lead me in the goodness You offer to humbly follow the narrow path which leads to a new life.  Through all things, lift me out of the pit of sin which surrounds me.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk the path which You have set before me.  According to Your grace, show me the steps I need to take this day so that I may continue moving forward according to the Father’s purpose.  Through all things, help me to keep my eye upon the prize of true life and be of value to You and Your kingdom.  Amen.

“Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:15-16).

The baptism of water is earthly, a sign showing something in this world.  God gives us His Holy Spirit to cause us to see heavenly things.  The difference in these two is often the place of struggle which brings suffering in this age.  The Mighty One is the Lord Himself, God’s salvation, our Savior, Jesus.  Many look either with expectation or with skepticism, but the believer enters into the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, through the power of Your Holy Spirit guide me into the life You have set before me.  Lead me according to Your will to go and see that You are doing something which is so much greater than I am able to comprehend without faith.  This world is filled with those who expect and those who scoff and deride anything that looks to You. Help me to see through the fog of this age that obscures the life You offer and give.

Lord Jesus, You are the Mighty One who has come to lead the way for all who believe.  Let me not be caught up standing on the byways but live the life You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to come through faith to the place where You are leading me.  Help me to not be stopped along the way; but to live the life You have set before me.  Lead me according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14).

John did not tell the soldiers to stop being soldiers.  We are appointed to the jobs we have.  There is evil in the world and communities need protection.  What he does direct is, that no matter the job, do not take advantage of your position.  Do not abuse others.  Be honest in your testimony.  Do your job and be content with what you receive.  This world is filled with those who take advantages.  Do not be one of them.

Lord, You know the places where I cut corners, cheat, and take advantage of my position.  Help me to live within the boundaries of my life which You have placed there.  Show me where the lines are so that I do not cross them.  Help me to understand and accept the kind of character You are growing in me so that I may focus upon the goals You set in front of me and not upon the pressure of this world to get ahead.

Lord Jesus, You who gave up everything to redeem us, came to show us how to live in this world and prepare us for the world to come.  Guide me on the right way of living which leads me to be content in every circumstance.  Lead me in the upward way of Your call this day, showing me what I am able to see, and those small places where I may make amends, where You will grow my character to be like Yours.  Amen.

“And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”  And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to” (Luke 3:12-13).

Many jobs offer the potential to take advantage and be dishonest.  Whether it is something small or large that is tempting does not matter, we are reminded that we should not take what is not ours.  To repent is to recognize the sin, turn from it, and no longer do what you did which caused you to sin.  The principle here is one of learning how to obey.  The Lord has told us that we are to obey all that He commands.

Lord God, You know the places where I play games with myself and others.  Lead me in true repentance where I recognize those places where I have played these games, and willingly enter onto the path of learning how not to do them.  Only by the help of Your Holy Spirit am I able to do this.  Guide me not only to understand but to act properly so that I may live the life You intend for me.

Lord Jesus, You know the places where I need to be directed in what I should do.  Lead me to comprehend these places where I need Your guidance and direction.  Help me to become the person You are making me to be by aiding me through those places where I need to repent and make amends.  Guide me to live by the standard You have set before me to act according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?”  And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:10-11).

Mine, mine, it’s all mine!  We often begin with an attitude that looks at things from the perspective of the self.  God has given prosperity to us, and asks that we care for our neighbor as we would want to be cared for.  We are to trust the Lord for all things.  Has not the Lord provided for you all of your life?  Why do you fret and worry?  Come to the Lord and learn to trust in Him above all things.

Lord, You know the attitude I have in my heart.  I am constantly worrying about the things I call my own.  I do not share as I ought.  Help me gracious Lord to overcome those things in me that need to be overcome.  Guide me to be willing to share as You direct me to share.  Grant me a new heart to live the life You have set before me.  In and through all that comes, cut the root of sin out and grow me upon the good foundation of Your Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world to lead the way so that all who come to You might become like You.  Lead me this day to see and understand those places where the old, old problem of sin hinders me from living as You would have me live.  Blot out my sin and give me a new heart that sees things through Your eyes.  In Your mercy, lead me into the righteousness You give by grace through faith.  Amen.

“Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9).

The axe is the recompense of sin.  The wages of sin is death.  We each will die the mortal death that is appointed for all.  We do bear fruit, but is it the fruit of sin or the fruit of righteousness?  We are called from the death that holds us in bondage to the new life which Christ offers.  We can be burned up with our own passions, or be freed to learn how to live as the Lord created us to live.  This is the offer before us all.

Lord God, Creator of all worlds, You created us to be in a loving relationship with You and with one another.  Sin has led us to curve in on ourselves where we have neither.  You have come to shine the light for as many as would see in order that those who will see may walk in the light.  Shine Your light once again and let me see.  Help me to understand how simple the Gospel really is.  I need to be redeemed, and You are the Redeemer.

Lord Jesus, I do not want to say it, but I need to say it.  Cut away at the root.  I need to die to sin, death, and the devil.  You must be the Author and Finisher of my faith.  Help me learn how to trust Your leading, and then go where You send me.  Help me to listen, and then obey Your commands.  Through all things, guide me in the way of true righteousness, living into the new life You offer.  Amen.

“So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham” (Luke 3:7-8).

At first, it seems so offensive, but when sinners sin, are they not lashing out with vitriol?  It is sometimes true that people are like a brood of vipers.  And then there are those who have religion.  Some “vipers” hide behind religion and call their wickedness good in the name of religion.  We all need to repent and turn to the Lord.  In His mercy, he will get rid of the poison of sin.

Lord, I want to think these words are for others, but they are also for me.  I have played the game of religion so that outwardly others think me decent, but You know that I am filled with sin and do not live as You have required me to live.  Lead me into repentance so that I learn how to truly live.  Raise me to the place where I am able to bear fruit befitting Your presence in my life.

Lord Jesus, You have come into our midst, and we each are where we are.  In Your mercy, You heal me of the disease of sin.  It will take as long as it takes but help me to look to You and trust in the healing You give.  Guide me away from those places where I need to repent and then aid me to repent.  Help me to see that You are my Savior and that I cannot gain unmerited favor from any other.  Amen.

“‘Every ravine will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low; the crooked will become straight, and the rough roads smooth; and all flesh will see the salvation of God’” (Luke 3:5-6).

The pitfalls of this world are being and have been overcome.  The Lord levels everything so that the greatest and the least are on equal footing before the Lord.  He has come to make our crooked ways straight.  He has come to lead us out of this life of rebellion and self-will into a life which lives in harmony between Creator and created.  All are invited into the new life which is offered through Christ.

Lord, I look around and make judgements.  I have desires and act upon them.  Through penitence, that is willing repentance, guide me to the level ground where I do not seek my will, but for Your will to be done.  Help me on the way You have set before me so that I see the salvation which You have prepared before all people.  Teach me all that these things mean.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who lifts up the lowly.  You are the One who slays our haughtiness.  You are the One who smooths the road before us.  Set me on the right path to follow You as You prepare the way of salvation before me.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me in the right way of living this life as You prepare me to live the life which is to come.  Guide me in faith by grace to live as the Father would have me live.  Amen.

“And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight” (Luke 3:3-4).

The beginning of the Gospel introduces repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  The Lord alone forgives, but we need to be willing to be forgiven.  We have the will to expect, but we also have the ability to give up that will in contrition.  Perhaps humility is a word that describes this ability.  This is the beginning place for us all, humbly coming to the Lord in repentance, being forgiven so that we can continue on the journey of salvation.

Gracious Lord, You offer mercy to the contrite.  It is not my act of repentance, but Your mercy which forgives.  Help me to hear and heed the words which call for me to repent whenever and wherever it is needed.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life.  Conform me to what You know I need to be reformed.  Guide me in Your will to walk according to Your ways in the grace You give me.

Lord Jesus, You were baptized with a baptism of repentance.  You have led the way and we are to follow.  Help me to overcome the willfulness in me that thinks I am exempt from anything You know I need.  Guide me to look to You, and then follow, without any second thoughts my will might inject.  Teach me how to be obedient, as You were obedient to the Father’s will, in all that I experience.  Amen.