Luke 3

“Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” (v8). Preaching mainly to Jews, John called on people to get right with God personally instead of relying on their ancestry or membership in a special community.  He said Jesus’ ministry would also go beyond the ordinary; it would be “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v16).  Luke further emphasized God’s plan of global redemption by tracing Jesus’ line back to Adam (v38).  

“The heavens were opened” (v31).  Jesus came to open the heavens for us; through Him, no matter who we are, we can know God personally.