Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:14-24 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. [16] And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. [17] And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, [18] “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, [19] TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” [20] And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. [21] And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” [22] And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” [23] And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” [24] And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.

---

Commentary: After overcoming Satan's temptations in the wilderness, Jesus embarked upon a season of public ministry.  According to Luke, Jesus began this ministry in the power of the Spirit.  This connection to the Holy Spirit was a continuation of what had begun starting with Jesus' conception.  The virgin, Mary conceived Jesus through a work of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus baptism was visited by the Holy 
Spirit.  Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted; and the Holy Spirit had compelled Him to go into that desert place.  
      Now Jesus was starting the first step of a journey that would ultimately lead Him to death on a cross.  What Jesus was facing was a daunting challenge.  Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, was ready for the road ahead.  
      Peter gave witness to the fact that the Holy Spirit had been a force in Jesus' ministry when he preached the Gospel to Cornelius' household. (Acts 10:38) "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
      As we tie all the many verses together (verses that tie Christ's ministry to the person and power of the Holy Spirit), a picture emerges of the Holy Spirit working in and through the life and ministry of Jesus.  This is very similar, maybe a reflection of how the Holy Spirit works in and through the lives of Believers today.  We, unlike Jesus, are not God; however, the "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" aspect of our walk through life is indeed the Spirit of God living in our lives.  That makes the Church a force to be reckoned with!

Questions to be Considered:

1. Do you think Jesus performed miracles through His own divine power, or did He rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit?  
2. What do you think Jesus meant by saying, "the works that I do, you will do and greater?"
   
3. Why do you think that Jesus did not use His divine power to ease His life as a human?  (Why not turn stones into bread if hungry?)