The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Isaiah 61:1-2

Advent – Day 4: Read: Luke 4

Wow! This is a powerful chapter. Where does one begin? Since I am limiting myself to one observation, I am going to summarize this chapter with the word power!

In 4:1 it says, Jesus came from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit where he was led into the desert. In the desert, the enemy tempts him to shortcut his mission on earth – just like he did Adam and Eve – but Jesus overcomes because he was full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

In 4:14, Jesus goes to Galilee from the desert filled with the Holy Spirit. Here he encounters opposition from his hometown friends, but that doesn’t stop him from declaring his mission loud and proud. And he can do that because he spent time with the Holy Spirit and is filled with power!

In 4:42, Jesus goes off alone to a solitary place. So solitary, in fact, that the people have a hard time finding him. Whenever Jesus is off by himself in a solitary place it is to pray, to be filled with power from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus began his public ministry filled with power, he proclaimed truth with power and he knew he had to stay close to his Father to remain powerful.

Well, I’m not doing a great job. Too often I think I can catch a bit of the Holy Spirit on the way, missing out on the fullness of what he wants for me if only I stop in that solitary place.

How about you? What stands out to you in this chapter? Do you find it difficult to stop in quietness to be refreshed by the Spirit of God so you can go out filled with power?