What is Your Purpose on Earth? Part 1

Jesus is doing what He was meant to do. He is fulfilling His purpose on earth. What about you?

It’s so easy to pass over key phrases when reading the Bible; especially, when reading the narratives, such as Luke. For example, what does it mean that Jesus returned … in the power of the Spirit?  

It’s easy to say ‘Duh, it means He’s Jesus and of course, the power of the Spirit is with Him. The power of the Spirit is with Jesus because they are the Trinity and they are always together, all the time. That’s it. Let’s move on.’ 

Of course, that’s true, but I believe there’s more to it. I don’t mean there’s got to be more from a mystical and secretive standpoint. I mean there’s a reason Luke uses this phrase. There is substantive meaning to the word structure of God’s Word. The words used in the Bible are not fillers. They carry meaning. That’s why I call this adventure we are on a journey of discovery. 

We are discovering God’s meaning in the Bible and how it can apply to our lives; how it can transform our lives.  

 

Let’s Look Closer at The Work of the Spirit 

When He was baptized, the Spirit descended upon Him as a dove. After His baptism, it is said that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness … to be tempted by the devil. 

Jesus is venturing into full public ministry mode. He is fulfilling His mission; the reason He came to earth. Jesus is going about the region in the power of the Spirit. What does that mean? 

Does it mean: 

• He is going about speaking in tongues? 
• He is going about with a certain feeling inside Him? Feeling Inspired? Feeling Motivated? 
• Does He have extra power? Healing and Miracles? 

It certainly has nothing to do with tongues. There’s no indication it is affecting how He feels. Healing and miracles? Well, yes, that is most certainly a part of it. But I believe there’s more.  

What is this power that comes with the Spirit? Here it is: 

The Power of the Spirit = The Power of the Impact of Our Ministry 

 

The Spirit is always with Jesus. Yes, we know that. But here is my primary observation and premise: The power of the Spirit has been upon Jesus in a unique way since He went public and began to fulfill the calling of His ministry; the reason He is on earth. 

 

Main point: The work of the Spirit (in this case) surrounds His ministry of service and brings about the results and impact that God wants to accomplish. 

 

How Do We Know This is What it Means? 

So, in support of answering our main question today about the meaning of the Power of the Spirit, I found this passage in Isaiah. I believe it fully describes what it means that Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. 

Isaiah 11:2-5 

The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 

And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear. 

But with righteousness He will judge the poor and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth. And righteousness will be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.  

This is a prophecy of the coming of Jesus as the Messiah to earth. It provides meaning to His visit to earth. More on this next time and more on the Power of the Spirit on our personal ministries.  

 

Father, thank you that You came to earth. You fulfilled Your mission and Your calling. You suffered and died that we might have life and have it abundantly. Thank you! Forgive us for taking you for granted at times. We often forget about you and go on living our own lives without much thought of You. But You are always with us, in good times and bad. You are faithful, even when we are faithless. Strengthen us to walk and talk with you often and to follow Your voice of truth. Amen!