The Same Spirit Who Empowered Jesus
If you want to experience God's presence, understand His ways, and live in His power, you need the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit.
For some people, that statement sounds boring or overly theological. For others, it may feel uncomfortable because it sounds too "charismatic." And for still others, it is deeply intriguing and inviting.
Regardless of how it sounds to us, one thing is true: only the Holy Spirit can reveal, communicate, and empower the Kingdom of God in and through us.
The Gospel of Luke makes it clear that Jesus carried out His ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was and is fully God, but He was also fully human. He experienced life as we do. He faced temptation, fatigue, sorrow, and joy. Yet He lived with a continual awareness of God's presence and power because He was anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As Peter later declared:
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
Here is the amazing news: the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus has been given to us.
After His resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Father's promise. He told them:
"I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
He also promised:
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
The power to live as citizens of God's Kingdom was not intended only for Jesus or for the first disciples. It is available to every believer through the person of the Holy Spirit.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter explained what the crowd was witnessing:
"God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." (Acts 2:32-33)
Then Peter made a remarkable declaration:
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)
That promise is still available today.
So let me encourage you:
- Receive and walk with the Holy Spirit each day. (Ephesians 5:18)
- Ask Him to give you a fresh and personal revelation of God as your Father.
- Invite Him to teach you the ways of the Kingdom—and then put into practice what He shows you.
- Depend on His power, and look for opportunities to pray for others and participate in the works of God's Kingdom.
May His Kingdom be extended through your eyes, your heart, your words, and your hands.
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