Picture your brain as a massive city. Pay particular attention to the roads. There are quiet, little used paths – the lights are low and there is not much activity there. These paths are in a state of disrepair, all full of potholes and bumps. There are also busy interstates and traffic bustles and much activity lights up these super highways. They are smooth with use and they are repaired as soon as there is a hint of a problem. But your brain is more complex than anything a city planner has wrestled and lost sleep over. We make these connections that connect the highways to emotions; to survival; to feel good moments. The more we travel these paths, the more they become superhighways. The question is, “What are your superhighways leading to?”
In Luke 3:1-6 we are told that John’s ministry was all about paths and roads. He began his ministry in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. This was most likely around 28-29 A.D. We cannot be sure about this because there were several calendars in play; we don’t know if this is fifteen years after Augustus Caesar died or if it began the two years prior to his death when Tiberius reigned with him. But these dates would fit with all of the political and religious leaders mentioned. Pontius Pilate ruled over Judea from 26-36 A.D. Herod Antipas was tetrarch (“ruler of a fourth part” – used of minor or petty princes) from 4 B.C. to 29 A.D. Philip reigned as tetrarch until his death in 34 A.D. There is some question concerning Lysanias. Josephus, a Jewish historian, mentions a Lysanias who ruled in Abilene until 36 B.C. Well, that date would be way off of the others. But there is an inscription that has been found in Abilene that speaks of a Lysanias who ruled around the time Luke is dealing with. Good job Luke! You got it right. Interestingly, the word “high priest” is in the singular and then Luke gives us two names: Annas and Caiaphs. Annas had been high priest from 6-15 A.D. and Caiaphas from 18-36 A.D. But many in Luke’s day were not at all happy about Annas being deposed by those interfering Romans and still considered him to be the high priest. He certainly was still influential and powerful.
These political and religious leaders are mentioned as more than a means of dating the beginning of John’s ministry – they are more than a backdrop giving the story validity (although this is certainly accomplished). These are the forces that will clash against the Christ; these are the people who are deceived in thinking that they wield power as the real power is about to burst upon the scene.
The word of God came upon John. He is not making this stuff up. He is not some random street (or desert) preacher. He is the fulfillment of prophecy. He is like a prophet of old. Although the word coming to him in the wilderness is unique. He came to the region around the Jordan, probably traveling in that area preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The prophets often called the people to repent – a call to stop rebelling already; a call to submit to the will of God. There is nothing in the text that would suggest we are to see anything other than forgiveness here. Christian baptism incorporated and transcended John’s baptism. Christian baptism was also about repentance and forgiveness of sins; a washing away of the guilt; a submerging of self into the fountain of God – the river flowing from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1; 14:8). Christian baptism was in the name of Jesus and included the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 40:3-5 is quoted. Originally, this passage was about preparing for Yahweh to come rescue the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. Here the voice cries out in the wilderness and calls all people to make the way ready – to straighten out the curves; to fill in the ravines and level the mountains. This is a call to create a superhighway for the working of Yahweh through Jesus Christ. The result will be that all flesh will witness the salvation of God. Caesar is not the savior. Herod is powerless to save anyone. The smoothed out path is not for them or for anyone or anything else.
I don’t believe I am spiritualizing this too much when I invite you to make a path in your brain – create connections with Jesus to your very salvation. Allow your emotions to cement the connections. Travel down this path often until it is the one and only superhighway. For goodness sake, don’t reduce Jesus to a quiet, unused road all full of disrepair. Fill in the ravines of neglect. Level the mountains of rebellion. Straighten out the meandering curves of apathy. The Lord is coming. Are you ready? And for goodness sake, if you haven’t yet, repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Grace and peace.