Verse: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations."
— Isaiah 42:1 tniv
Thought: The last part of Isaiah contains what are often called the Servant Songs. Jesus claims several of these songs for his self-identity. The early church claimed several others, quoting them to define Jesus' ministry and understanding them as prophecies of his coming. Not only were these words of prophecy inspired by God's Spirit, but the Spirit also empowered Jesus as God's servant to bring justice and display God's mercy. The work of Jesus is rooted in the work of God's Spirit in prophecy that foretells his coming, in his conception, at his baptism, at the start of his ministry, in the words he spoke, in the joy he experienced, through the power that raised him from the dead, and the gift he poured out when we came to him in conversion. The ministry of Jesus is so tied to Jesus and his work for us, that Jesus calls the Holy Spirit "another comforter," like Jesus himself that Jesus would send when he returned to the Father. The work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are joined inextricably in God's dance of grace that brings us life, hope, and justice!
Prayer: O Father, how can I ever fully grasp the gift of the Spirit dwelling in me? I realize that the Spirit is a bond that I share with Jesus himself, the power of the Lord's presence in my life. Thank you for this grace, dear Father, thank you for this gift, Lord Jesus, and thank you for your abiding presence, O Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I thank you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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— Isaiah 42:1 tniv
Thought: The last part of Isaiah contains what are often called the Servant Songs. Jesus claims several of these songs for his self-identity. The early church claimed several others, quoting them to define Jesus' ministry and understanding them as prophecies of his coming. Not only were these words of prophecy inspired by God's Spirit, but the Spirit also empowered Jesus as God's servant to bring justice and display God's mercy. The work of Jesus is rooted in the work of God's Spirit in prophecy that foretells his coming, in his conception, at his baptism, at the start of his ministry, in the words he spoke, in the joy he experienced, through the power that raised him from the dead, and the gift he poured out when we came to him in conversion. The ministry of Jesus is so tied to Jesus and his work for us, that Jesus calls the Holy Spirit "another comforter," like Jesus himself that Jesus would send when he returned to the Father. The work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are joined inextricably in God's dance of grace that brings us life, hope, and justice!
Prayer: O Father, how can I ever fully grasp the gift of the Spirit dwelling in me? I realize that the Spirit is a bond that I share with Jesus himself, the power of the Lord's presence in my life. Thank you for this grace, dear Father, thank you for this gift, Lord Jesus, and thank you for your abiding presence, O Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I thank you! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
