Hey, it’s Pentecost Sunday! … Celebrated on May 24 in the Western Christian calendar and on May 31 in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. This significant holy day falls exactly 50 days after Easter Sunday, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church… Acts 2 in your Bible tells the story – and a powerful, dramatic story it is!!!
And believe it or not, my Bible reading for today from the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan JUST HAPPENED to include Luke 2:22-52 that POWERFULLY FEATURES THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS!
Leave it to Luke… First at the circumcision of Jesus…
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS UPON HIM! AND IT HAD BEEN REVEALED TO HIM BY THE HOLY SPIRIT that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. AND HE CAME IN THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” (Luke 2:25–33 ESV)
And if that wasn’t enough, consider what Luke says about Anna in the same Bible reading! … “Now there was one, ANNA, A PROPHETESS! … who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [clearly led by the Holy Spirit] she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem!” (Luke 2:36-38 ESV)
Then Joseph and Mary, “returned to Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child [Jesus] grew and became strong in spirit [Spirit?] filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him!” (Luke 2:339-40 NKJV)
Wow! Add to that the explanation of Jesus’ birth given to Mary in Luke 1:34–35, 37…
“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL COME UPON YOU, AND THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL OVERSHADOW YOU; THEREFORE THE CHILD TO BE BORN WILL BE CALLED HOLY—THE SON OF GOD! … For Nothing will be impossible with God!”
So the question is… Was the Holy Spirit important and involved in the birth and development of our Savior, Jesus Christ? And the answer, it seems to me from Scripture (Luke’s testimony) is a resounding YES!
AND THE GOOD NEWS? THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE INVOLVED IN OUR DAILY LIVES AS CHRISTIANS – followers of Jesus! God’s will for us is that we would be “born again of the Spirit” (John 3:3-8), be filled and empowered by the Spirit,” (Acts 1:8; 2:4) and “Walk in the Spirit” day by day Galatians 5:16-25)!
Coffee With The Lord 