Read: Luke 3:1-14

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, with Pontius Pilate as Judea’s governor, Herod as tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip as tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He traveled throughout the region around the Jordan, proclaiming baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This fulfillment is recorded in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet.

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord.
Make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled.
Every mountain and hill will be brought low.
The crooked will become straight,
and the rough ways smooth.
All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

He addressed the crowds going out to be baptized, saying, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruits worthy of repentance and do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise children to Abraham from these stones! The axe is already at the root of the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give one to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptised, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” He replied, “Collect no more than what is appointed to you.”

Soldiers also asked him, “What about us? What must we do?” He replied, “Do not extort from anyone by violence, nor accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

Explanation

John’s message centres on repentance—not merely regret, but a decisive turning of the heart and life toward God. His call prepares the way for Jesus by confronting what stands in the way.

Repentance is not optional; it is the necessary response to God’s coming salvation. It involves honesty about sin, a willingness to change direction, and a readiness to receive what God offers. The imagery of making paths straight reveals that repentance removes obstacles, aligning life with God’s purposes. Before transformation comes preparation, and repentance is the starting point of that work.

A question for today

What is God showing me that needs to change?

A sentence to take into the day

Repentance opens the way for God’s work within me.

One thing to do today

Turn from one specific attitude or behaviour today and take a step toward obedience.