In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
Jesus said of his return that no one knows the day or hour when it will happen. But thanks to the extraordinary research of Luke, the physician, we know exactly when this was. At first glance, it seems an odd choice for a devotional with 9 names and 5 places mentioned. These verses are a celebration of the truthfulness of Scripture. It is because of these details that we know when John received the word of God. Iti si the year 28 AD. Theologians argue about the date of Jesus’ ministry but the dates don’t matter. The events matter and Luke presents them in glorious detail.
I know I was saved in 1989 in the month of July and my best guess is July 23rd. Just like the dates of Jesus’ ministry, this date doesn’t matter either. The fact that I was chosen for salvation is what is important. And it is important only because the Bible is true and shows the way we must be saved, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and surrendering to him. Which brings us back to Luke. His research into these 40 years have implications for eternity. It helps answer the key questions of who is Jesus, what is the Bible, and how am I saved? He is Lord, it is the word of God, and you must submit your life to him. When he returns…
This age is history.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church