Need A Game Changer?
It's September. Another glorious Seattle summer is over. Leaves are trading their greens for orange. Kids are headed back to school. And we are all settling into our Fall routines. Going back to our "normal lives."
In Luke 4:14-22, Jesus went back to his hometown-a place that had been his "normal life" for years. Except for that Sabbath day, things didn't go as normal. Something was very, very different.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” Luke 4:14-22 (ESV)
Can you feel the sense of amazement the people had?! They could not believe their eyes and ears.
"Um... Isn't this that boy we used to know?! What the heck?! He is AMAZING. When did he grow up into THIS GUY?! I can't stop looking at him. I can't stop thinking about his words. Guys, what HAPPENED to him?! Seriously. Dude. Wow!"
Jesus was different.
How is that possible?! What could possibly make Jesus more amazing than who He was?!
Well... Jesus had just returned from His Baptism and time in the wilderness. Jesus was newly empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Guys. The Holy Spirit made a difference in Jesus. The Holy Spirit transformed and empowered Jesus.
Mind blown. Right?!
And here's the amazing thing: That Holy Spirit who made Jesus more amazing than He already was... is the SAME Holy Spirit who empowers us today!!! Come on.
Here's what the Holy Spirit does: He changes things. He transforms people. He sets things right. He makes things new. He turns things around. The Holy Spirit is a total game-changer. If life is heading in one direction, the Holy Spirit spins it around. Things are no longer what they were.
And we, God's children, have His Spirit. We do. It's a done deal. We ARE full of the Holy Spirit. The SAME Spirit that filled Jesus.
We just need to remember that He is here and that He is in control. To not just go about life in "our normal routine." But to tune into Him. And be aware of His work. It really is pretty simple! It's the way we were designed to live and function.
Want to keep thinking about this? Want to stir up your heart and mind about this? Here's a message I shared about The Holy Spirit: our game changer.