The Power of the Spirit: Luke 4:14-15
“14) And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15) And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.” Luke 4:14-15
His forty days of fasting and being tempted by the devil did not weaken Jesus. To the contrary, it strengthened Him. The text says, “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.”
The word “power” in verse 14 is the same Greek word used in Acts 1:8 to describe the power that comes upon believers when they receive the Holy Spirit. They will live and be witnesses for Jesus with the same kind of power that flowed through Jesus during His public ministry.
Jesus was sinless, so it would be wrong to say He was refined or purified through His trial in the wilderness. But Hebrews 2:10 does say that the author of our salvation was confirmed perfect through His sufferings. Hebrews 5:8 says; “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered.”
Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not exempt us from trials or the doctrine of suffering. According to 1 Peter 1:3-9, it does mean the testing of our faith is a purifying and growth process. Trials and testing result in the salvation or transformation of our soul. They help move us from being soul governed to being “spirit” governed.
In every way, we could conclude that Jesus was tested by fire or put through the testing of fire by His trials in the wilderness. He came through to the glory and praise of God.
The result was that “He returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” He was consistently walking in the power of the Spirit, and people noticed! News about Him began to spread through all the surrounding district.
This is what officially launched Him into His public ministry. Take note of this point. It is important. Jesus was distinguished not because of a degree, a title or education acclimations… but because of the power of the Spirit on His life.
This “power of the Holy Spirit” was the distinguishing characteristic qualifying people for leadership in the early church. Look at Acts 4:31; Acts 6:3, 8 and 10. There are many such references in the book of Acts.
But it doesn’t stop there. Study on through 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. (The whole chapter is actually amazing in emphasis on those who are spirit minded.) Don’t miss 1 Corinthians 4:18-21. Let me quote verse 20; “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.” Again, that’s the same Greek word used for “power” in Luke 4:14.
I recently studied the word “power” through the entire New Testament. It was very enlightening. This is the characteristic that marked true followers of Jesus Christ. They had the “power” of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.
I will not labor this point, but as I noted earlier, this was a primary qualification for leadership in the early church. But tragically, it has been removed from being a qualification for pastors and leaders in the modern western church.
This has resulted in carnality in the pulpit, naturalism engrained in the doctrine being taught, and powerless religion being falsely showcased as Christianity. We opt for counseling based in secular psychology rather than a power encounter with the Holy Spirit.
This is not the way Jesus returned to Galilee! He returned “in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Do not settle for less in your life or in your spiritual leaders.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“14) And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15) And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.” Luke 4:14-15
His forty days of fasting and being tempted by the devil did not weaken Jesus. To the contrary, it strengthened Him. The text says, “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.”
The word “power” in verse 14 is the same Greek word used in Acts 1:8 to describe the power that comes upon believers when they receive the Holy Spirit. They will live and be witnesses for Jesus with the same kind of power that flowed through Jesus during His public ministry.
Jesus was sinless, so it would be wrong to say He was refined or purified through His trial in the wilderness. But Hebrews 2:10 does say that the author of our salvation was confirmed perfect through His sufferings. Hebrews 5:8 says; “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered.”
Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not exempt us from trials or the doctrine of suffering. According to 1 Peter 1:3-9, it does mean the testing of our faith is a purifying and growth process. Trials and testing result in the salvation or transformation of our soul. They help move us from being soul governed to being “spirit” governed.
In every way, we could conclude that Jesus was tested by fire or put through the testing of fire by His trials in the wilderness. He came through to the glory and praise of God.
The result was that “He returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” He was consistently walking in the power of the Spirit, and people noticed! News about Him began to spread through all the surrounding district.
This is what officially launched Him into His public ministry. Take note of this point. It is important. Jesus was distinguished not because of a degree, a title or education acclimations… but because of the power of the Spirit on His life.
This “power of the Holy Spirit” was the distinguishing characteristic qualifying people for leadership in the early church. Look at Acts 4:31; Acts 6:3, 8 and 10. There are many such references in the book of Acts.
But it doesn’t stop there. Study on through 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. (The whole chapter is actually amazing in emphasis on those who are spirit minded.) Don’t miss 1 Corinthians 4:18-21. Let me quote verse 20; “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.” Again, that’s the same Greek word used for “power” in Luke 4:14.
I recently studied the word “power” through the entire New Testament. It was very enlightening. This is the characteristic that marked true followers of Jesus Christ. They had the “power” of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.
I will not labor this point, but as I noted earlier, this was a primary qualification for leadership in the early church. But tragically, it has been removed from being a qualification for pastors and leaders in the modern western church.
This has resulted in carnality in the pulpit, naturalism engrained in the doctrine being taught, and powerless religion being falsely showcased as Christianity. We opt for counseling based in secular psychology rather than a power encounter with the Holy Spirit.
This is not the way Jesus returned to Galilee! He returned “in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Do not settle for less in your life or in your spiritual leaders.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
