And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. (Luke 4:14 NAS95)
Jesus lived in deep awareness of the Spirit’s presence to Him. Luke takes time in His gospel to point this out with emphasis. I often forget that Jesus’ relied on the presence of the Spirit in all that He did. That happens to make this story intriguing. Luke notes the Spirit’s leadership in Jesus, something that distinguished Him before others. Luke points that out by stating, “gracious words were falling from His lips.” Jesus had cited Isaiah 61:1-2, which reflected the heart of God and His love toward His creation. So for Jesus these words needed to carry the feeling of that love His Father intended to convey: a mark of the Spirit’s presence.
The conversation took a turn, but Jesus’s heart didn’t because He remained full of the Spirit. He remained in communion with God, One who cannot but love. Jesus’ words carried His Father’s character because He listened to the Spirit. The people responded with surprise when they realized Jesus’ background. Jesus longed that they’d simply respond to God positively, and receive the good news. He illustrated this by commenting on those who did receive God’s goodness, which created issues with the people to whom He was speaking. These problems resulted from Jesus following the Spirit’s lead and a longing for them to enter God’s love. Jesus’ life in the Spirit distinguished the nature of His Kingdom from this world as one of love and communion with the Father. Oh how I long to remain aware of the Spirit’s presence as Jesus did. That’s communion!
For Reflection:
“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalms 143:10 NAS95)
- How have you learned to remain attentive to the Spirit of God in your life?
- What disciplines do you engage to cultivate ongoing awareness of the Spirit’s leadership?
