NOTES for Luk 3:1-18

Manifesting Himself in the waters of the Jordan, the Lord enters the course of human history with authority. The waters of this river become cleansing and life-giving, like the waters over which the Spirit of God hovered on the first day of creation. The Almighty comes to wash us with the Holy Spirit and fire. Who can withstand the power of the Father’s favor revealed to us in Christ Jesus? And yet John the Baptist speaks of people’s responsibility for what is taking place. Bear fruit worthy of repentance! He calls for a change of life, for complete conversion. The Day of the Lord, great and terrible, is coming. But on that day the Lord comes in quietness and humility, and each of us must make an effort to enter His Kingdom, now opened to us. It therefore matters what we are like when Christ manifests Himself to us. His manifestation does not violate our freedom. On the contrary, the Theophany is the only thing that gives this freedom meaning.