The Gospel of Luke – Jesus is for everyone: Jesus sent by God for everyone
Luke 2:41-52; 3:2-21
- Jesus was sent by for everyone – Luke emphasises who Jesus is. He says that Jesus was sent directly from God. He was the Son of God sent to rescue all people. Luke says that Jesus was full of wisdom and everyone was amazed at His teaching even as a 12 year old boy and that the favour of God was upon Him as He grew up. At Jesus’ baptism God declared that Jesus was His Son and that He was pleased with Him. Luke says that there was clear evidence that Jesus was not just an ordinary man.He was the Christ Messiah. If Jesus was sent by God He has to have been the most important person in all history. His words came directly from God Himself. We cannot afford to ignore the words of Jesus. We cannot just pass off His death or resurrection. It matters what we think of Jesus. What do you think about Jesus? How will you respond to Him? Will you repent and believe in Jesus?
- Jesus was sent by God for all sinners – “All flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). John the Baptist called all people to repent and be baptised. Even the tax collectors and soldiers, considered to be the worst of sinners, needed to repent. Luke says that Jesus came to save and rescue the worst of sinners. This is wonderful news for all of us. We can all be rescued and forgiven. We can all be born again.
- Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire – Luke says in 3:16-17 that it really matters how we respond to Jesus. If we repent, Jesus WILL baptise us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will live inside us. We cannot be truly born again without the Holy Spirit living in us. If we reject Jesus we WILL be baptised in the fire of God’s judgement.