January 02, 2020: SOAP #3682:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required…

Observation:  Luke’s writings, both books of Luke and Acts, point their readers to the work of the Holy Spirit.  In the first chapter of Luke we find the promise that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 15) and Elizabeth, John’s mother, was filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 41.)  In the third chapter we read of John’s prophecy that Jesus would fill people with the Holy Spirit and of the Holy Spirits decent on Jesus when Jesus was baptized in water.  In the fourth chapter we find Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil and then of Jesus’ return to Galilee in the power of the Spirit!

Application:   If the Holy Spirit had such an important part in the life and ministry of Jesus, then I should expect that the Holy Spirit would be necessary in my life and ministry.  If Jesus, present on earth as the sinless Son of Man and Son of God, needed the presence of the Holy Spirit before beginning His ministry, how much more will I need the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, lead me and speak through me like Simeon.  And if I am going to live like Jesus, I am going to need your help!   As you were with Jesus, I ask you to be with me.  Use me to make Jesus look good.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!