Walk In Step With The Spirit
“‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty!”
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
On the 23rd of October 2013, the son of Prince William and Kate was baptised and that is fairly commonplace for babies of that age, but Prince George was baptised with water flown here from the river Jordon in Palestine! I wonder if you noticed that and if you did, I wonder if you pondered the fact that Jesus himself was also baptised in the waters of that same river—Jordon.
In the past, whenever I would think about that scene I somehow only pictured John the Baptist and Jesus alone in the water; a very special secluded ritual of baptism. But if we read Luke’s account we find that a crowd of people were there also waiting to be immersed in the water. Luke 3:21 (NIV) tells us “When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too.” So rather than being baptised in some secluded spot, Jesus waited in line with all the other people who desired to be baptised by John.
But the conclusion of his baptism was not the same as the others because again Luke records; “As he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22 NIV) This is one of the clearest scriptures in which we see the Trinity clearly revealed; the Father’s voice from heaven, the Holy Spirit coming down like a Dove, and Jesus standing in the Jordon river having just been plunged under its waters by John the Baptiser.
Luke 3:23 (NIV) goes on to inform us that, “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.” Immediately following his baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to defeat Satan—notice, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordon and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil” Luke 4:1-2 NIV) Then having resisted and brought Satan’s temptations to nothing, victoriously he “returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.” (Verses 14-15 NIV)
These few verses give us an insight into the power that unleashed Christ’s ministry into Galilee and beyond as the Spirit filled him, and you know, that same Spirit is at work in the lives of Christians today as they yield to Him and minister to others, to the glory of the Father!
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the precious gift of your Spirit, who strengthens, guides and inspires us for service to others.
Amen
Study by Cliff Neill
________________________________________________
About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.
Local Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE
Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am
Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone: 01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk