3:21,22
Unlike in Matthew (Matt 3:14), Luke does not record John’s objection to baptising Jesus. Jesus came as man’s representative, He lived on behalf of us all, He died on the cross on behalf of us all, and He was raised on our behalf. So Jesus was also baptised, representing us. Jesus was baptised, so we should be baptised. The Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form. Ie a dove could be clearly seen. Then a voice came from heaven declaring “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”. So we see here Father, Son and Holy Spirit acting together, but in distinct ways. We also see the Father’s approval of Jesus. Jesus came to do the Father’s will.
3:23-38
Another of my least favourite bits of the Bible, lists! As I have said before, this failure to appreciate the lists is a failing on my part. God has put them there for a good reason. However, there are a number of significant points that even I recognise. Perhaps the most important is that Jesus’ human ancestry is traced back to Adam. Jesus represents the whole of humanity. Abraham is also in the line, as are Isaac and Jacob. David, too, is in there. After David the names become much less familiar to us. There are some differences with the list in Matthew. Part of the reason is that neither is complete, nor intended to be so. Also, Jospeh has different fathers! In Matthew 1:16 it is Jacob, here in Luke 3:23 it is Heli. One solution is that Joseph’s mother remarried, so one gives the physical father, and one the second husband.
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