In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’
Luke 3:1-6
Contextual Application: The Luke 3: 1-6 Passage:
The Luke 3 passage starts with those that rule and govern for the care and benefit of others,
Roman Political and Military Rule
- Tiberius Caesar – Supreme Ruler and Emperor who Was in coalition with Augustus Caesar, they Co-ruled together for a while.
- Pontius Pilate – Military Ruler and the Collector of Taxes
Jewish Political Rule
- Herod, Philip, and Lysanias.
- Herod – Antipas – Son of Herod the great, a Jewish leader, not a King as he ruled a quarter of Herod the great's kingdom after his death.
- Philip – Son of Herod the great and Half brother to Antipas, and again not a King, but a Jewish leader who again divided a quarter of Herod's original kingdom.
- Lysanias – Little known Jewish Leader.
Jewish Religious Rule
- Annas who was removed from office as high priest. - Was a severe High priest and was removed from office by Roman authority.
- Caiaphas who official high priest. (High priests only left office usually when they died) this is why both are stated as high priest at the same time.
Luke who writes the gospel has an unstated dig at the failures of such impotent political and religious authorities. Impotent because the social situation was still in decline. The land of the first century Palestine was directly or indirectly under the control of Caesar or the people of the Rome.
The Roman taxation on the colonies plundered the economy of the native population, Under the colonial powers the privileges and the rights of the native population were negated, however, the elite groups who supported the colonial powers enjoyed certain amount of rights and privileges. It's only Luke that takes the time to mention leaders in power at various political levels when John the Baptizer appeared
It is into this situation that the Jesus message comes to John in the wilderness and he becomes that message from the margins of that rule and power. A message of hope amid distress of political turmoil. For Luke this message is a Jesus message of “A RADICAL NEW WAY TO LIVE” as well as a Message of “HOPE IN THE HERE AND NOW”
Contemporary Application: The Luke 3: 1-6 Passage:
We too start with those that rule or govern for the care and benefit of others. We too know the failings and the successes of those who fill political and religious office. This week in the chancellors autumn statement spending cuts, benefits slashed, cuts to housing allowance was announced. A lot of ordinary families on low incomes are going to feel the pain and none of the gain over the next 6 years as austerity plans are extended to 2018. We hear the squabbling of political commentators as well as politicians themselves as we face the future. It's into this arena that we hear “the Jesus message” of Isaiah.
Make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’
This is what Luke is getting and this surely is the promise of Advent. We too hear this Jesus message of Isaiah. a message that comes from God today, perhaps like John the baptist it is heard from the wilderness or the margins of rule and power, It's a message of “TURNING” as well as “HOPE” and we like John the Baptizer have the opportunity to become that Jesus message and embody that “HOPE”, and live as an example of that “TURNING” before the community in which we live.
Conclusion:
In the sixtith year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when Prime Minister David Cameron, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg governed England, Councillor Ann Castle was The Lord Mayor of Leeds, when Fabian Hamilton was MP for North Leeds and the leader of Leeds council is Keith Wakefield. During the the days of the one hundred and fourth Archbishop of Canterbury Rev Dr Rowan Williams the word of God came to the sons and daughters of the church, exiled in the wilderness. They went into all the community and became the Jesus message of “HOPE” in the here and now and of a “RADICAL NEW WAY TO LIVE” that was all written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet.
