“Then some soldiers asked him, ‘And what should we do?’ He replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely —be content with your pay.’”
Luke 3:14
There had not been a true prophet in Israel for more than 400 years. An unlikely group of soldiers joined the crowds to hear John the Baptist’s message: Repent! The Messiah is near.
Almost everyone responded by inquiring, “What must I do?” When the soldiers asked John the same question, his reply cut deep. He admonished them to not extort money or accuse falsely, and to be content with their pay. A soldier’s life was hard and the pay was bad. Did they not deserve fair compensation?
It’s easy to self-justify our sin. Typically optimistic in our self-assessment, we see only the tip of the iceberg, unaware of the vast mountain of sin beneath the surface, a hidden and deadly reality keeping us from fellowship with God. No one finds salvation without becoming broken over the depth of their sin and realizing their helplessness against it. Repentance and forgiveness are needed. This is why the Son of God came. Jesus’ death and resurrection atoned for sin completely. And His righteousness is freely given to those who believe.
Almost everyone responded by inquiring, “What must I do?” When the soldiers asked John the same question, his reply cut deep. He admonished them to not extort money or accuse falsely, and to be content with their pay. A soldier’s life was hard and the pay was bad. Did they not deserve fair compensation?
It’s easy to self-justify our sin. Typically optimistic in our self-assessment, we see only the tip of the iceberg, unaware of the vast mountain of sin beneath the surface, a hidden and deadly reality keeping us from fellowship with God. No one finds salvation without becoming broken over the depth of their sin and realizing their helplessness against it. Repentance and forgiveness are needed. This is why the Son of God came. Jesus’ death and resurrection atoned for sin completely. And His righteousness is freely given to those who believe.
Scripture Focus
Luke 3:1-20
Insight
The gospel is not only for unbelievers. Every day of the Christian life must be lived in light of the cross and focused on Jesus.
Bible In A Year
- Ecclesiastes 7-8
- Psalm 66
- John 6
