Nougat 6

There is no question about the person of God’s Spirit being actively involved in believers’ lives throughout the New Testament. And Luke-Acts chronicles much of this. Many of us may recall Jesus’ baptism, where ALL three persons of the Godhead were present in tangible ways. Moreover Luke makes the connection to Old Testament writing AND to Jesus’ ministry. I dare suggest that that is significant for us all. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”” Luke‬ ‭4:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Described as Jesus’ Mission Statement and Job Description, this prophetic word from Isaiah is located at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. By Luke’s calculations, Jesus overcame the temptations directed towards him in the wilderness and He went to the temple to declare His intentions.

It is possible that we may opt to examine the mission statement in more details at another point in the reflections on the Nougats; but presently, we are looking at it generally. Firstly, by way of His declaration we note:

Jesus, the Son of God – our Savior, operated WITH God’s blessing and anointing.

He (Jesus, that is) had a message – Good News; also known as the Gospel – for the Poor, Incarcerated, Infirm and Oppressed. The message was Liberating, Enabling, Healing and Hope-inspiring. It was even an opportunity to the Dejected and Downtrodden to hear the Good News of acceptance and inclusion.

All Good Stuff.

What is even better is the follow-through. And it was no magic tricks or campaign promises. From MY readings, I note that Jesus not only made the proclamation, He COMPLETED His mission. That is extremely important. What he said He would do was done by Him; and then He gave the same power – God’s dunamis – to the disciples (Acts 1:8). This came, by way of God’s Spirit, so that the Testimony of the disciples would be corroborated.

Siblings in Christ, if Jesus, the very Son of God, embraced God’s Spirit throughout His physical earthly ministry; what should we do?

We may comment-critique the charismatic ministers; we may visit them all Nicodemus-style (by night); what we ought to recognize is that the world seeks signs (and wonders) just as they did in Jesus day. We can argue that we don’t believe in the manifestation of spiritual gifts; or express concerns about the charlatans who abound more and more. But, I urge us – to please seek deeper understanding of the work of God’s Spirit so we Recognize when God’s Spirit is at work, in ourselves and others.

For God’s sake and for God’s glory!

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May all we seek be found in Christ