THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (1)

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (1)

TEXT: LUKE 14:16-21 (KJV)

Jesus spoke these words at the beginning of His public ministry, declaring that He had been anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a mission of profound significance. The phrase “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” is not just a historical statement but a present reality for all believers in Christ, as the Holy Spirit now dwells in us and empowers us to carry out God’s work.

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

Anointing in the Bible refers to the act of being set apart and empowered by God for a specific purpose. In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil as a symbol of their divine calling. But this external anointing pointed to a greater reality—the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” He was affirming that He had been set apart by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out His mission. Throughout His ministry, we see the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus—whether it was in performing miracles, teaching with authority, or overcoming the forces of darkness.

For believers today, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is not just for pastors, missionaries, or church leaders. Every follower of Christ has been anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20), and this anointing equips us to fulfill the unique calling God has placed on our lives.

Empowered to Preach the Gospel

One of the key aspects of Jesus’ anointing was to preach the Gospel to the poor. The term “poor” here refers not only to those who are economically disadvantaged but to those who are spiritually impoverished. Jesus came to bring good news to those who were broken and lost, offering them the hope of salvation and eternal life.

As believers, we too have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel with those around us. Whether it’s through preaching, teaching, or simple conversations, we are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs to hear it.

Word Affirmation: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." – Luke 4:18 (KJV) (Don't just say it, mean it!)

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, empowering us to continue the mission of Christ."
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