“They were
amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority”
(Luke 4:32).
The
Holy Spirit’s presence is a constant feature of Luke’s Gospel. We find Jesus
going about His Father’s business under the close guidance and presence of the
Holy Spirit. Jesus – the Word incarnate – lived His life and ministered to the
world being filled with the Spirit.
Chapter
4 begins with a clear note, “Jesus, full
of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the
desert…” (Luke 4:1). Then again, “Jesus
returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread
through the whole countryside” (Luke 4:14).
During
His earthly ministry Jesus “limited” His divine abilities:
-He
took a human form (Philippians 2:7);
-He
worked under the guidance and will of God the Father;
-He
opened Himself up to the presence of God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’
authority was evident in His preaching/teaching (Luke 4:32);
His
authority covered the Word of God – the Scriptures. He read and proclaimed the
Scriptures with authority – the authority of the author and the authority of knowing
the author’s intention.
God
speaks with good intentions…His words are good. His words are full of Spirit
and life and eternal life (John 6:63, 68).
The
Scriptures were given to us for our liberation: from the slavery of ignorance;
from the slavery of lies; from the slavery of our own minds…
The
Scriptures were not given for our enslavement…not as a burden to carry…Jesus
corrected the wrong view and practice of Sabbath, presenting the truth that the
Sabbath was made for man not the other way around (Mark 2:27). So the Word of
God.
Jesus’
authority was evident in His stern dealing with the demonic spirits (Luke 4:36,
41).
The core of Jesus’ ministry was proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour.