The Holy Spirit was closely related to the Messiah’s work, especially in Isaiah. Describing the fruit-bearing “shoot from the stump of Jesse”, Isaiah 11:2 said, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” In recounting Jesus’ miraculous healings, Matthew 12 cited the 700 year old prophecy that “I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring justice to the nations…a bruised reed he will not break” (Isaiah 42:1-3). In Luke 4, Jesus quoted Isaiah at the start of His ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news” (Isaiah 61:1).
These connections were not lost on the people. Seeing Jesus heal a demon-oppressed man, they asked, “Can this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:23). Hearing Him teach, they questioned, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (John 7:31). In fact, John the Baptist specifically cited the Spirit in identifying Jesus as the Christ: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him…And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God’” (John 1:32-34).
Most significantly of all, Paul said it was the Spirit “who raised Jesus from the dead” (Romans 8:11). As powerful as that observation is, it wasn’t even Paul’s main point: he finished his sentence by saying that same Spirit “dwells in you” and “will also give life to your mortal bodies.” It’s as Jesus explained to His apostles hours before His crucifixion, when He said that it was to His apostles’ advantage that He go away. Why? So that He might send the Spirit to them. “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…He will guide you into all truth…He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:7-15).
If we have been united with Christ in baptism, we have received the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38). As Paul observed, “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.” Praise God!
Are you ready to learn more about how to live a Spirit-led life? Check our our new sermon series, “Living Water: Never Be Thirsty Again”.