Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:1 MEV
After being filled with the Holy Spirit, the first task at hand was to do what no fallen human could do, i.e. overcome Satan and the dark side. If this is the Holy Spirit’s calling card, resistance is detrimental to His plans in our lives.
For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge concerning you, to preserve you,’ Luke 4:10 MEV
Here knowledge of what is written proves to be totally powerless against the devil’s deception. What is needed in addition to that knowledge are God’s motives behind that which is written. A relationship with our Heavenly Father is required to know this; His heart.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. And His fame went throughout the surrounding region. Luke 4:14 MEV
Overcoming temptation glorifies Godand opens a door to access the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
The least common denominator of the Gospel. The good news is based on and begins with this.
But I tell you truthfully, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. Yet to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, a city of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. But none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:25-27 MEV
The lost and the needy!
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. And He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. Luke 4:40 MEV
Healing opens an effective door for ministry to the heart.
When it was day He departed and went into a remote place. And searching for Him, the people came to Him and tried to prevent Him from leaving them. Luke 4:42 MEV
I’m starting to understand the importance of departing into a remote place. Solitude and rest in the arms of my Heavenly Father.
Though ” Silent Night” was written for entirely another reason, this song is appropriate.
and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear. From now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:10 MEV
A carpenter, a fisherman, a tentmaker, a hotelier, a shepherd, a teacher, a physician, an accountant…
They were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen wonderful things today.” Luke 5:26 MEV
Indeed. The works of the Spirit are wnderful and the Gospel soothing.
After these things He went out and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax collector’s station. He said to him, “Follow Me.” Luke 5:27 MEV
Leave what is not part of God’s plan for your life, instead follow Jesus.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32 MEV
Something to keep in heart, a point to ponder.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Luke 6:24 MEV
This could mean only one thing, but on the surface, Jesus is talking about the rich that do not seek God. Indeed, money is a deterrent to the Kingdom of God if improperly understood, for is makes a human being a mere earth dweller.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Luke 6:31 MEV
Words to live by.
The disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 MEV
This principle, when not spiritual, brings only continuing diminishing results. Kalari is a good example of the teacher not imparting everything to a disciple because of insecurity and fear. In the Kingdom of God, there is only completion, not competition.