We Are Not AloneSample

The example of Jesus

During the course of his ministry, Jesus modeled for his followers what it meant to live life ‘in the Spirit’. Through the Gospels, he also models life in the Spirit to us.

Each Gospel shows that Jesus freely submitted himself to the Holy Spirit who came upon him in a remarkable way. John adds that the Spirit remained with him and that, pre-empting Pentecost, Jesus later ‘breathed’ on his disciples and said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22).

Jesus lived in the Spirit and made it a lifestyle. He rose early to pray and spend time being refreshed in the Spirit for the day ahead (Mark 1:35). Following his experience at the Jordan River, he was ‘full of the Holy Spirit’, ‘led by the Spirit’, and stared down temptation in the Spirit’s power (Luke 4:1-14).

The Holy Spirit flowed through Jesus as he healed and preached the good news of the Kingdom. ‘I know that power has gone out from me’ (Luke 8:46) he explained to the crowd when someone who needed healing had touched him. And in the synagogue at Nazareth he announced, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me…’ (Luke 4:18).

The disciples learned from Jesus that the Holy Spirit would be their counselor, comforter and guide (John chapters 14-16) as well as the empowerer (‘power from on high’, Luke 24:49) of their lives. Jesus was able to share these descriptors with absolute integrity, not only because they were true, but also because Jesus experienced the Holy Spirit as his guide, counselor, comforter, empowerer and the source of daily strength and guidance.

Through the Gospels Jesus opens our eyes also, to the life that is available to us when we align our hearts and minds with the Spirit. In this season of Pentecost, may we choose the example of Jesus for ourselves, giving up all that hinders to go into partnership with the awesome Spirit of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to follow your example and live my life in the power of your Spirit. Holy Spirit, I open my life afresh to you today. Please fill every part of me, my mind, my body, my emotions and my spirit. Thank you Holy Spirit. Amen.