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“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit…” Luke 4:14

When the eternal Son of God became a man, He lived by the Spirit. Luke makes this abundantly clear.

  • Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
  • Jesus was baptized and anointed by the Spirit (Luke 3:22).
  • Jesus was full of the Spirit (Luke 4:1a).
  • Jesus was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1b).
  • Jesus was empowered by the Spirit (Luke 4:14).
  • The Spirit was upon Jesus (Luke 4:18).
  • Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21).
  • Jesus gave commands through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2).

Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit. Why?

The Incarnation Was No Sham

Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit, because He was truly human. He’s the true son of Adam. He did not switch back and forth between deity and humanity. Rather, He relied totally, in His humanity, on the Spirit. 

Thus, the incarnation was no sham. Jesus really obeyed the Father. Jesus really relied on the Spirit. He is truly all that we are not, the perfect, obedient son of Adam.

That We Might Follow His Example

Jesus also relied on the Spirit, so that we might follow in His steps. Have you ever said to yourself or others, “You’re not Jesus!” This kind of remark is usually made when we consider His perfect life. He always did what was right; He never missed an opportunity. He never failed.

The truth is that you aren’t Jesus. You will never be Jesus. This is all true. But, the truth also is, that the same Spirit who conceived, baptized, anointed, filled, led, and empowered your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the same Spirit dwells in all who believe in Jesus Christ.

You are not Jesus. You just have the same Spirit dwelling in you, the same Spirit Jesus relied on in His earthly ministry.

How should we, then, relate to the Spirit? If Jesus relied on the Spirit, shouldn’t we follow in His steps? Shouldn’t we ask God to powerfully work in us by the Spirit? Jesus did, and He was perfect. So, it seems like a good idea.