THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF JESUS

Jesus was fully God and fully man which is a mystery to us. Because He was fully man, He needed the Holy Spirit on earth even as we need the Holy Spirit.  We see the Holy Spirit at work in Jesus’ life from the day of His birth to His resurrection.

It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus had a supernatural birth. (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35) He was born of woman by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, another great mystery. It is for this reason that He was able to save us from our sin because Jesus did not have the nature of Adam (sinful nature). Therefore, He was born sinless and not born under condemnation as we all are when we are born. He did not need forgiveness or salvation. Not only was He born without sin, but the Bible says He was tempted, but never sinned. (Hebrews 4:15) Therefore, He was able to be a spotless lamb for us. He was able to deliver us from sin and condemnation.

We see the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus when John baptized Him. (Matthew 3:13-17) This was necessary for Jesus to be able to resist temptation (Mark 1:12) and to be empowered to do the work of the Father. (John 10:37-38) We see throughout Jesus’ ministry, healings, miracles, and the casting out of evil spirits (demons). This was all done by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:18) Jesus said the works that he has done, we will also do and even greater works. (John 14:12) It is because we as believers have the Holy Spirit’s power at our disposal.

It was through the help of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to offer himself as a sacrifice for us. (Hebrews 9:14) It was no easy thing for Jesus to offer himself up on the cross and take upon himself the sins of the world. We see in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ emotional suffering as He understood fully what He was about to do. He asked His Father to take this cup from Him three times. Yet, He said, not my will be done but yours. (Matthew 26:39)

Also, we see the Holy Spirit enable Jesus to rise from the dead (grave).

Romans 8:11 – “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of  his Spirit who lives in you.”

I thank God that this same Holy Spirit is in me and all God’s children. It is this same Holy Spirit that gives us spiritual life and everlasting life.