Through the Fire - March 30 Readings: Deuteronomy 12, Luke 4:1–15, Psalm 40:1–6, Proverbs 8:20–21

Links to March 30 Readings: Deuteronomy 12, Luke 4:1–15, Psalm 40:1–6, Proverbs 8:20–21

Luke 4:14 tells us that Jesus headed into the area of Galilee to begin his public ministry, full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity.

That is good news for us. Jesus operated in the power of the Holy Spirit - the same Spirit who dwells in every believer. Jesus did not simple rely on his own divine nature to accomplish great things for God, but on the fullness of the Spirit who was working through him 

I so long for the fullness of the Spirit, the power working through me in the lives of others, to experience the power of the one who worked through Jesus himself. 

But it is important to note that verse 14 follows the 40 days, described in verse 1-13, in which he passed though the fires of temptation. It was only after the crucible of trial that he went out in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

After 40 days of fasting, he was hungry and Satan tempted him to use his power for himself, to turn stones to bread for his own food. He reminded Satan that it was not bread alone that fed the human soul, that the Word of God is our true bread. 

He took Jesus to a high place and showed him the kingdoms of the world. All Jesus had to do was bow down to Satan and he would be given all these kingdoms. Jesus refused to sell his soul and reminded Satan that we must worship God alone. 

Finally, Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple (likely the high corner pictured here at the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount). He tempted him to display his own glory selfishly, to cast himself off the high place with the knowledge that angels would stop his fall.  

Jesus refused to test God and Satan fled in defeat. He had tempted Adam and Eve to great effect but now his wiles failed and Jesus stood in victory. 

And after that, he went in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. 

Here's my problem: I want the glory of the Spirit's fullness without the crucible of trial, hardship and rejection. I want the power with the pain, the purity without the process of purification. It just doesn't happen that way. But seldom do we experience the glory of verse 14 without passing through the crucible of verses 1-13. 

Father, purify my heart. May I draw near to you, resist the devil, and walk in the power of your Spirit.