Minister by the Power of the Spirit

“Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.” [1]

What preceded the “then” in the above verse? Jesus is moving among people with power. News of Him is spreading everywhere. He teaches at religious gatherings. Everyone seems to be onboard with Him.

Prior to the outbreak of powerful ministry, Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. As He prayed, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. The Father declared with a voice from heaven, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” [2]

Prior to the outbreak of powerful ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days. He was hungry. He was in a desolate place. The devil came against Him when He was physically weak. He said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus could have done the miracle, but He did not need to prove to the accuser of the brethren who He is. Ministry is about love for God and others, not about proving to the devil one’s connection with God. Jesus declared that He lived by the Word of God. [3]

Prior to the outbreak of powerful ministry, the devil offered to Jesus the kingdoms of the world in exchange for His heart. The devil wanted Jesus, God’s Son, to worship Him. How ridiculous! The fast-talking salesman, the devil, likes to sell to God’s people what is already our established inheritance from God. Don’t bite on that lie! Jesus didn’t. Jesus replied, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” [4]

Prior to the outbreak of powerful ministry, the devil tempted Jesus to jump off the temple and not die to prove that He was the Son of God. No, Jesus, did not need to prove who He was. Besides, there were prophecies in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 about how His death and resurrection would happen. He would fulfil those words, not the devil’s counterfeit offers. His tight relationship with the Heavenly Father kept Jesus ever aware of who He was, and what He should do. Jesus told Satan, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” [5]

Jesus experienced ups and downs as He served the Word of God here on earth. For example, in the town where He grew up, the people tried to throw Him off a cliff after He declared to them that He was the promised Messiah from God. However, evil reactions neither stopped Him from rescuing numerous people from their bodily pains and afflictions, nor from preaching in places where religious people gathered to hear from God. [6]

[1] Luke 4:14-15
[2] Luke 3:21-22
[3] Luke 4:1-4; Revelation 12:10
[4] Luke 4:5-8
[5] Luke 4:9-12
[6] Luke 4:16-30; 4:40; 4:44