Focus: Jesus and the Spirit

Text: Jh.3:34

"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."

The Spirit was active both in creation and redemption history. He played pivotal roles.

In the life of Jesus, the Spirit is fully involved. From the incarnation to the resurrection, the Holy Spirit is fully engaged.

Let's see some Scriptures.

*His birth

Luke writes, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Lk.1:35). Jesus is conceived and born of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's activity is so contagious that Elisabeth and the baby in her womb are mightily impacted. Luke writes, "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe LEAPED in her womb; and Elisabeth was FILLED with the Holy Ghost" (Lk.1:41). The baby leaps, and his mother is filled with the Spirit. Jesus, as a baby in the womb, becomes the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Hear the testimony of Elisabeth, "For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Lk.1:44). Nothing we do is casual when the Holy Spirit is in charge. The Spirit uses Mary's common greeting to impact a child in the womb. He leaps for joy. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of joy. His active presence stirs and inspires joy in the believer. By the Spirit, salutation results in celebration.

*His baptism

Matthew reports, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting UPON him" (Mt.3:16). Right in the place of His baptism and at the very start of His public ministry, the Spirit comes upon Him. He experiences an open heaven and welcomes the Spirit in His life and ministry.

*His ministry from the beginning

Luke says, "And Jesus being FULL of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was LED by the Spirit into the wilderness" (Lk.4:1). Again, he says, "And Jesus returned in the POWER of the Spirit into Galilee" (Lk.4:14). His life and ministry are characterized by the Spirit's engagement. The Spirit comes ON Him. That's the Spirit without. Then, He is FULL of the Spirit. That's the Spirit within. Then, He is LED by the Spirit. That's the Spirit as His guide. Then, He moves in the power of the Spirit. That's the Spirit as His enabler.

*His whole ministry

Luke tells us, "How God ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST and with POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Act.10:38). This is the Spirit working through Him. He is appointed and anointed, and as a sent-man, God, His sender is with Him. That's the Spirit, Jesus, and God the Father, working as a team. Everywhere He goes He leaves a trace of the heavenly. He stamps the earth with heaven's nature. According to our text, He possesses the Spirit beyond measure. The Spirit in His fullness dwells in Jesus.

*His resurrection

Paul writes, "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:4). The Spirit of God transmutes and transforms His body and causes Jesus' spirit to reenter His metamorphosed and transfigured body, making His resurrection a reality. He rises again in the same body, but now a supernaturally changed body.

And for us, Paul says, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Rom.8:11). By the same Spirit our mortal bodies will put on immortality. The Spirit will transmute, animate and activate our bodies for a new world and for fresh existence.

I believe every believer is yet to give the Spirit the chance that Jesus Christ gave him, and if or when we do, the church's light will shine more brightly and her glory shall be seen of all men. How I pray that we earnestly yearn for the Spirit's presence, power and preeminence in the church, and for the Spirit to possess all of us to Himself and use us for God's glory!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter