You Are NOT Alone - March 13 Readings: Luke 4, Jesus Filled with the Spirit

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Luke 4

Through the Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 3-4, Mark 12:18-44, Psalm 35:1-6, Proverbs 8:17-18

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

We have already looked at Luke 4 once, delving into the temptation of Christ, how the devil tempted him and Jesus resisted. Today, we want to return to this chapter for another view of it. Look at both verse 1 and verse 14. Jesus had just been baptized and the Spirit "came on" him like a dove. He did not have the same firey baptism of the Spirit we do, perhaps because he was already perfect and holy. But the Spirit came on him and we see hints here and throughout the life of Jesus that he relied on the power of the Spirit. When he went into the desert, he was filled with the Spirit. When he began his ministry and every point along the way of that ministry, we assume, he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit within him.

Why is that important? Jesus was perfection personified. He could have walked through his life, confronted Satan, done great works, and fulfilled God's righteousness, all on his own strength and power. He was able. But we are not. I am not and you are not. Jesus relied on the power of the Holy Spirit, that same Holy Spirit who dwells in us when we believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

No, I cannot be as sinless as Christ and will certainly not be all that Christ was, but I can be filled with the same Spirit who empowered Christ. I can be empowered by that Spirit to be gradually conformed to Christ and to do the work Christ called me to do.

Devotional: You Are NOT Alone 

God had been silent in Israel for 400 years after the prophecies of Malachi. Then the Spirit began to speak and work during the Birth Narratives, filling John from birth, instructing Zechariah, giving various prophecies. It seemed to be a new day, but then things went silent again, until the Baptist appeared in the wilderness and began calling people to repent. One day, a man appeared and was baptized. When that happened, the Spirit descended on him and filled him.

When Jesus came up out of the water and was filled with the Spirit, Luke 4:1 says that the Spirit immediately led him into the desert for the initial 40-day battle of wills with the devil. We can assume that the fullness of the Spirit that we evident when he began the temptation and that was still present at the end when he began his earthly ministry carried him through those 40 days.

After the temptation, Jesus headed up to Galilee, full of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) to begin his ministry. While the Spirit is not mentioned often, there are several times when the acts of Jesus are attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 10:21, Jesus’ joy came from the Holy Spirit. He speaks in John 3:34 of how the Father gives the Spirit “without measure” – something he must have been experiencing himself. He drove out spirits by the power of the Spirit (Matthew 12:28) and there are other mentions of the Spirit’s involvement in Jesus’ life in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (Matthew 12:18, 22:43, Mark 12:36, Luke 4:18). It is the clear assumption that the fulness of the Spirit that descended on him at his baptism never left him throughout his ministry here on earth.

The Spirit who descended upon Jesus at his baptism and empowered him at the beginning of his ministry was his ever-present source of strength and power during his earthly ministry. Jesus performed his miracles and fulfilled all righteousness in the Spirit's power. Then, in John 14-16, he told his disciples that he was going away, but that when he left he would send "Another Comforter" (or Counselor) to be with them and to dwell in them. In chapter 16, he says that it is actually better for them if he goes away and the Spirit comes to indwell them. 

Did you get that? As wonderful as it would be to have Jesus walking with us today, it is better to have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in us. God never said, "Do your best to follow me." He put the Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus in us and said, "Walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit every day." That is our goal. That is our hope. 

We are not left on our own in the Christian faith. We need not rely on ourselves, our resources, or abilities in following Christ. We have the power of the Living God indwelling us in the Holy Spirit and through him, we have every resource we need. 

Do not get discouraged, my friend. The Spirit of God who sustained and empowered Christ indwells you!

Thank you, Father, for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me and will enable me to be what you want me to be and do what you call me to do. 

Think and Pray:

Are you relying on your own strength (and failing) in your Christian life?
Or, are you relying on the power of the Spirit whom God placed in you?