“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Today is Pentecost, and it may be good to remember why the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall ream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17-18). What are prophesies, visions, and dreams for? To preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and recover sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are oppressed. The Spirit of the Lord has been poured out and the Spirit of the Lord is upon us – because we have been anointed by Him!
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). The phrase “one accord” is being used as an adverb (verb modifier) meaning unanimously; having the agreement and consent of all. They were all in one place by mutual agreement – no one was forced to be there; and they were all there for the same reason. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).
The Holy Spirit has been given to us in answer to a promise of Jesus Christ. The Spirit has been poured out and is within us because He has anointed us to continue the ministry He was anointed to do in the earth. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:10-11). Read that verse out loud. Did you catch the part about, “If anyone speaks” and “If anyone ministers” being mentioned differently. Ministering can be and very often is performed without speech. By our actions and our words we glorify God. The Holy Spirit is upon us, and we have an infilling, to preach (speak) and to serve (minister). Jesus ministered to the broken hearted, the captives, the blind, and those oppressed. Jesus preached to the poor – not just the poor in physical manna, but also those poor in spiritual manna. Why is the Spirit of the Lord upon you?
Pentecost, 2010
© Copyright 2010, Tim D. Coulter Sr.