What Jesus Did : Luke 1:80 - Spirit Made
by Phil Ware
Spirit Made - Luke 1:80
And so the little boy (John) was growing up and becoming stronger in spirit. John lived in a place away from other people, until the time when he came out {to tell God's message} to Israel (the Jews). (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
John was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb according to the promise of the angel. We should not be surprised that he grows strong in the Spirit. While we can debate whether the "s" in spirit should be lower case or upper case, the truth is, the Holy Spirit filled John's spirit and empowered his life. John was not shaped by the culture of the city or by the ways of the Temple. John was shaped by God in the same way God shaped Israel before they reached the Promised Land—the desert. John's role was unique; his ways were strange and bizarre to us that live many years later. The point Luke wants us to know, however, is that John was Spirit-led. His work sets the stage for the dawning of the age of the Spirit and the New Covenant. That Spirit is ours when we become Christians. He leads, guides, transforms, equips, and informs us as the children of God and helps us be all that we can be. We, too, can become strong in the Spirit!
Today's Prayer
Father, I know that your Son poured out the Holy Spirit upon me when I became a Christian. I know your Spirit lives in me and makes my body a holy temple where you live. So I ask that you make me strong in the Spirit. May your will and your character take shape in my life as the Holy Spirit has more influence and control of my will. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Zechariah, John's father, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He told the people what would happen: "Praise to the Lord God of Israel (the Jews). God has come to help his people and has given them freedom. God has given us a powerful Savior from the family of God's servant, David. God said that he would do this. He said it through his holy prophets that lived long ago. God will save us from our enemies and from the power of all those that hate us. God said he would give mercy to our fathers. And he remembered his holy promise. God made a promise to Abraham, our father. God promised to free us from the power of our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear. We will be holy and good before God as long as we live. "Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High (God). You will go first before the Lord to make the people ready for the Lord's coming. You will make his people know that they will be saved. They will be saved by having their sins forgiven. "With the loving mercy of our God, a new Day from heaven will shine on us. God will help the people that live in darkness, in the fear of death. He will lead us in the way that goes toward peace." And so the little boy (John) was growing up and becoming stronger in spirit. John lived in a place away from other people, until the time when he came out {to tell God's message} to Israel (the Jews).-- Luke 1:67-80 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0123-wjd.html
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