“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” Luke 1:15
Dear Ones:
When the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus that being born was like the wind which one could not see, not knowing from where it was coming from and where it was going, He was referring in great part to the working of the Spirit of God in a life. As the presence and movement of the invisible wind would manifest itself in the real world, so would the Spirit of God. True greatness in the sight of God is not measured by man’s ability to accomplish “great” things in the eyes of men, but by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, working in and through men. The Lord spoke of John the Baptist in these terms: “Among these that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Luke 7:28) Even before John was born, the angel of the Lord spoke to his father, Zacharias, saying: “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord.” (Luke 1:15) Was his greatness seen in his apparel? Was it in his ability to speak and to reason? We get some indication concerning the reason for this greatness when we read that, “…he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” The “spirit and power” of Elijah was seen in John because of the Spirit of God operating freely in him. John the Baptist was a very unique individual, who was on a specific mission, and was filled with the Spirit, demonstrating the greatness of God. But, how does this knowledge apply to the individual believer?
First, it applies to the issue of age. John was filled with the Spirit of God “…even from his mother’s womb.” There is no age limit on the “unique” working of the Spirit of God. In a very real way, the Spirit of God was instrumental in forming us in our mother’s womb. He is also the Person by which we are born again. How can these things be? It is only as we accept these truths by faith, that we begin to know His working and power. His uniqueness is found in that He works in “mysterious ways, His wonders to perform,” ways which we are not able to understand. Again, we see the Spirit working in an unborn child, as John leaped for joy in the womb Elizabeth, when Mary, the mother to be of Jesus, came for a visit. We cannot explain how this child was “filled with the Spirit,” nor can we explain why the child would be filled with the joy of God. The one thing we know is that it is true, and if God the Spirit, can fill a child, a babe, certainly He can fill you and me.
The second thing we see is that the Spirit of God manifests Himself when the heart is surrendered to Christ, and to the mission for which he has been called. John the Baptist was consecrated to God, but also, consecrated to his mission. Thus, the same power and spirit of Elijah are manifested, and revealed in him, as he ministers to the multitudes. We see this revealed clearly in the book of Proverbs, when the Lord says: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.” (1:23) Where there is true and full surrender to the Person and purpose of Christ, the Spirit of God is given in fullest measure, according to the faith of each believer. It is certain that when one is entirely yielded to Christ, that the Spirit of God will meet them in a most remarkable way.
Thirdly, the blessing of the Spirit of God always exceeds that which we can ask for or think. John had no idea of the far reaching effects of his ministry. His work changed the spiritual landscape of Israel in his day.
Dear Father, Save us daily from limiting the Spirit of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad