Led by the Spirit into the wilderness

 

Text: Luke 4:1-13

Topic: Led by the Spirit into the wilderness

 

The topic will be considered with the following sub headings:

Background

Conceived by the Spirit

Endued with the Spirit

Led to the wilderness

Closing notes

Background

The book of Luke was written by Luke who scholars refers to as a Greek physician, the book is seen as volume one of the two books he wrote the other being Acts of Apostle, and it was also agreed that he wrote based on personal investigation of eyes witness report of the life of Jesus amongst other details and sources, the books were written to Theophilus then but to all the world now.

The early chapters of the book details a little introduction on the book chapter one verses one through four(Luke 1:1-4), the birth of John the Baptist was prophesied, same experience with Jesus but both was by angels, these prophesies came to fulfillment, Jesus was born then taken to the temple, John the Baptist began to prepare the way for Jesus, chapter three from verses twenty one (Luke 3:21 ff )Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist after which a brief genealogy of Jesus was done before the eventual chapter of reference for today (chapter four),it was an experience that happened immediately Jesus was baptized as recorded in our chosen text, may we live to fulfill all divine/heavenly prophecies hanging over us (in all spheres)and on/about all that is ours in Jesus mighty name.  Amen.

Conceived by the Spirit 

Every human that had lived (asides Adam and Eve that were created Gen 1:26-2:22), that is living were/are products of biological relationship between man and woman (no matter how improved/improvised or scientific we have made it these days) this case is uniquely different, as prophesied/revealed by the angel in Luke 1:35, Matt 1:20 which says “the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you”. Mary was engaged to Joseph but by Heaven’s calendar and favour baby Jesus was divinely, miraculously put in her stomach Luke 1:26-27.

To further underscore this is the discreet decision of Joseph to put Mary away with the feeling/thoughts that Mary had a secret sex mate as she was found pregnant with an engagement to him and without sex with him Matt. 1:18-20 but for the divine and angelic intervention the engagement would have been broken silently. Don’t always be looking for escape from all supposed cheatings, go to God remember Jacob in Laban’s house, it is usually very painful but find a way to hear from God please.

Who says our greatness in God, child birth ,ministerial growth pattern, financial blessing, ministerial expansion, promotion at the place of work, business expansion and explosion, travelling abroad or any other thing that our heart desires in line with Gods purpose for our lives must follow a given/specific/humanly formula/model/trend or pattern of people who have gone ahead of us (this is not to encourage laziness of any sort especially those not knowing deeply and keenly the scientific amongst other intricacies of a venture, spiritualizing lack of depth and requisite knowledge maybe with prayers and fasting or even consulting mediums of any sort as the main/only work they do….no no ).

The conception of Jesus wasn’t normal, look unto Jesus, respect and learn from other’s especially those accomplished in arrears you are still working on, follow God whole heartedly/without any reservations, pray to God alone for accomplishment.Heb.12:2, God will use that case to surprise people and start a new model/theory of reference in Jesus mighty name. Amen

Endued by the Spirit

The scripture in John 3:34 clearly tell us that Jesus doesn’t only have the spirit of God but He had it even while in human form without measure, in a degree/at a level no other person/human hadn’t and will not have. After His baptism Luke 3:21 the scriptures says that the heavens opened and the Holy spirit in a bodily form of a dove descended upon Him and He was commended as a son who brings great joy to God. Jesus also received affirmations of being from God at the transfiguration experience as the scriptures says in Luke 9:35 ff, Mark 9:7ff, Matthew 17:5ff. Jesus was not only conceived by the Spirit he was endued while on earth and the source of the Spiritual endowments/strengthening was clearly known in the earlier verses of our text and corroborated via the commendations from God.

Led to the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil

Must Jesus be tempted by the devil? What did he gain from the temptation? Is Jesus really God? Must he be directed to the wilderness?

The wilderness not a village at all where most of us will fight with all we have, can call and can borrow to avert, underscoring the recent ile to teju (fertile land),ibi tima ti ri salary gba (locations where my salary will be constant and maybe fat too, all in the words of our highly revered president at the Inauguration of Sophia Ajayi Regional headquarters and induction of her maiden Regional Superintendent. If we must fulfill mandate in ministry we must do it in God’s way, at His pace, following His process. And all this may not be all palatable/attractive/lucrative, our preacher last week (on SOTS a whats app platform majorly for minister where God’s word is taught weekly) mentioned that God blesses those He had worked on underscoring that God takes people through His process. If you cut corners at any point you have short-circuited God and His provisions for you as you have looked to the hills and will continue to do that except you repent. Jesus stood for something far too important not to be opposed or hampered or disturbed by the devil himself, if we are for Christ and doing something for His course we will be buffeted by the devil, Jesus’ experience is a model for us. God’s spirit directed God’s son to the wilderness to be tempted by God’s enemy-THE DEVIL. Are we better than Jesus?

Closing notes

The fact that you are having it all sweet in ministry is not a sign that God is leading you all the way, Jesus didn’t have all like that, Moses ran from home for forty years, Paul had a thorn in His flesh 2 Cor. 12:7, Jeremiah was named a weeping prophet, all the Apostles died in not a palatable form, if we are in the ministry by God’s calling and for His sake and are still with Him in spirit and truth and He brings a sweet experience lets enjoy it while it last but in abstemiousness.

SHALOM