“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring
Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the
LORD’s favor has come.”
Luke 4:18-19 NLT
Luke makes clear that Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb through the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, and empowered by the Holy Spirit into and through his wilderness temptations, and that he emerged from the temptations full of the Spirit. Today’s passage reminds us that the Spirit is powerfully upon him to focus his ministry. This quotation from Isaiah 61:1-2 is in the context of God’s servant, Jesus, bringing restoration and healing. If Jesus’ ministry was empowered by the Holy Spirit, how dare we try to minister without the Holy Spirit’s power? Release of the captives, freedom for the oppressed, and the time of God’s favor don’t come without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the ministry of God’s servants!
O Father, I know that you have
given me gifts, talents, and abilities
to use in ministry to bless
others and to honor you.
I recognize that even with these gifts,
my ability to accomplish all
that you have called me to do is impossible
without the power and guidance of your Spirit.
I ask for the Holy Spirit to help me
recognize these gifts, to empower me
so that I can use these gifts effectively,
and to help me use these gifts in ways
that honor you and reflect the
character and compassion of Jesus,
in whose name I pray.
Amen.
Ken Crawford 