DAY 289 – THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS TO JESUS ------------------------------------------------- If you carefully read the 29th chapter of Exodus or the 8th chapter of Leviticus, you will notice that when a priest was ordained, three things were always used: he was washed with water in every case, a sacrifice was brought, and his ear, thumb and toe were touched with blood – and then he was anointed with oil. All these were symbolic of what would happen to Christ. The oil being symbolic of the unction of the Holy Spirit with which the coming High Priest, Jesus Christ, would be anointed. Therefore, blood, water and the Spirit were recognised as necessary to cleanse one from sin. And if Jesus of Nazareth be indeed able to save his people from their sins, he must be recognised with these – the Spirit, the water and the blood. And it was indeed so. Our LORD Jesus was attested by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God bore witness to Christ in many types and prophecies. By the power of the Holy Spirit our LORDs humanity was fashioned and prepared for him. When the LORD Jesus was about to start his ministry, the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove, and rested upon him, and a voice was heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” This was one of the surest confirmations of the LORD Jesus’ Messiahship – for it was given by the Spirit of prophecy to John as a sign. For it was said to him “upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining, it is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit rested upon the LORD Jesus without measure, throughout his earthly life, so that he is described as full of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. And his life and ministry were full of power. In truth did he say, “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 broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind.” God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power and he went out doing good, healing them that were oppressed by the devil. Mighty signs and miracles were witnesses of the divine Spirit to the mission of the LORD Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit remained with our LORD all his long life, and to crown it all, after he had died and rose again, the Holy Spirit gave the complete witness by descending in full power upon the disciples at Pentecost. The LORD had promised them that they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit – and they were not disappointed, for we read, “they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Those cloven tongues of fire and the rushing mighty wind were sacred confirmations that he who had ascended was indeed LORD and God. The apostles said, “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him.” The word of the apostles, through the Holy Spirit, convinced men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. The Holy Spirit comforted the repentant, and they believed in the exalted Saviour and were baptised. The words of the LORD Jesus were abundantly fulfilled. “When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me.” Therefore, from our LORD’s birth, throughout his life, and after his ascension, the Holy Spirit bore conspicuous witness of him.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:15:11 +0000
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