Jesus having been baptized by John in the Jordan River – thus identifying Himself with humanity, and leaving an example of righteousness for us to follow – the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove, and led Him into the wilderness for an extended period of fasting and prayer where He combated the power of satanic temptations overcoming every one of them (Matthew 15-4:11). Now we pick up the account in Luke 4:14-15 as He “returned in the power of the Spirit…and He taught in their synagogues”, embarking on a three year ministry manifesting the kingdom in both word and powerful action (Matthew 9:35). Everything Jesus did during the time of ministry in His earthly body of flesh was by the power of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 10:38). He then deputized His disciples (and the torch would be passed on to each succeeding generation) to carry on this ministry in His name (Mark 16:15-18) telling Peter (I believe representing the church of which he was one of the first leaders) “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 16:19. Since the kingdom of God is in us (Luke 17:21) it is now up to us to unlock and release this kingdom power in the earth today, through the same anointing (Acts 1:8).
Kingdom Power
By Rose Hill
In the power of the Spirit our Lord came,
I know that we must do the same.
For in kingdom power great works were done,
By Jesus Christ God’s only Son.
In His life the kingdom we see,
When He healed the sick and set captives free.
The glory of God’s kingdom came to earth,
So that we can partake of the new birth.
Many blessings on us our Lord did shower,
When at Pentecost He sent the Spirit’s power.
He wants His kingdom to become reality,
In life on earth for and through you and me.
Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This model prayer shows us that God desires the same manifestations of the kingdom on earth that He has set as default in heaven! Matthew 6:13, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright by Thomas Nelson Co. and are used by permission.