The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me

Isaiah 61:1-2 AMPC

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favour] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion-to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit-that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Yesterday we were discussing Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

It contains far more than the famous "Beatitudes' and expands over 3 chapters in Matthew 5, 6 & 7.

How amazing and alluring were Jesus' sermons? Poor people would walk miles and miles out into deserted places just to hear Him.

They were so entranced and enraptured by His Words that they forgot to eat and needed to be fed miraculously.

Why and how did that carpenter from Nazareth become such a gifted speaker?

He hadn't been to university, learnt homiletics or been trained by the rabbis of the day.

It all comes down to "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me" prophecy in Isaiah being fulfilled in Him.

When Jesus came up from His Baptism in the Jordan River, the Spirit of the Lord descended on Him like a dove.

Matthew 3:16 AMPC

And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

From that point onwards Jesus was empowered like no other human ever before. The Holy Spirit was His link to God the Father in everything.

Being the unique God-man (perfect God, perfect man) He walked in constant fellowship with the Father.

When He ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh.

Now those who are anointed can speak in that same power.

Didn't Jesus say so?

John 14:12 AMPC

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

Be encouraged that Jesus is with you, His Spirit can be upon you too!