“And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” Luke 4:1
Dear Ones:
The gospels declare that Jesus, at one point, was led to go into the wilderness…alone. However, He was not alone, as He was accompanied by the Holy Spirit who had led Him there. There was another person there, Satan, the very antithesis of all that Jesus was. He was the perfect manifestation in attitude and demeanor of what the Bible would later call, the “anti-Christ.” It was there in Christ’s aloneness with the Father by the Spirit, that He would confront the enemy of our souls, that one who has sinned from the beginning. Why would the Spirit of God bring Him face to face with this enemy? It was imperative that the Lord overcome Satan at every point. Christ, having taken upon him the limits and frailty of human flesh, to walk among us, became our example, our living portrait of quiet power and perfect victory over the enemy. It would be by the demeanor of Christ, and the use of the word of God, that He would give us a vision to grasp, an example to follow…and the revelation of His way by which the enemy is overcome…faith in the faithfulness of God, by the Spirit.
What does it mean to be led by the Spirit, even though it be to a wilderness, and to solitude, for a time? It means first and foremost having an attitude of submission, and commitment to obey, the will of the Father. It is important to remember that Jesus was “led” after He had been anointed in the Jordan River by the Spirit. Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan meant more than being an example, giving us a picture of His coming work on Calvary whereby all sins could be washed away. On the day of His baptism, His perfect righteousness was reflected in His total commitment to the Father. In essence, He died to all else that day, in order to fulfill His mission, that good and perfect will of God. Christ, being filled with the Spirit, was thus led. This is the second important point. Not only are we called to BE His, without reserve, but we are called to be FILLED with the Spirit. Imperative to having a knowledge of the will of God, and being strengthened to accomplish it, is the fullness of the Spirit. HOW then, practically and specifically, was Jesus led by the Spirit?
We know that Jesus had a remarkable, even perfect knowledge of Scripture, and thus, the will of God. With the knowledge of the truth, the Spirit of God has a resource in His heart and mind by which to speak. Not only does He take the truth of Scripture, bring it to mind, but He is the Spirit of conviction, confirmation, and clarity. The Spirit quietly confirms the Lord’s words with great clarity, for He is a God of light and truth. How does He do this? It is in the reliance upon Him, that dependence upon Him to give the assurance, when He either confirms the truth, or does not. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (3:15) The Spirit of God is the God of peace. He gives peace when the knowledge of the truth, and direction given, are from Him. Isaiah confirms this by writing: “For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace.” (55:12) God gives His peace and assurance when the will of God is known, and there is the willingness in the heart to obey.
On one occasion, Paul and Silas, intended to preach the gospel in Asia. The Holy Spirit forbade them to preach there. They then tried to go to Bithynia, but again the Spirit did not allow them to. Shortly after these “roadblocks,” Paul has a vision of a man standing, saying: “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9) The Spirit led them, and confirmed it to them. The obeyed immediately.
Dear Father, Lead us clearly, with assurance, by Thy word, and by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad