Jesus' Anointing:
A good place to start this part of the Series is to answer the question, "When did the Man Christ become God?" He was God at birth!

Jn.1:1 ¶ In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

Jn.1:14 So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.

All four of the Gospel accounts confirm that Jesus was not active in any public kind of ministry until after His encounter with the Holy Spirit while in the Jordan River being water baptized. Lets take the time to look at how Luke saw these events.

Lk. 3:21-23 ¶ One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." 23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry…

A few things of significance:
1) - Jesus was in prayer at the time
2) -The Father was pleased with Jesus
3) - The Holy Spirit came upon Him
4) - Jesus then began His public ministry

I don't profess to understand the need of this experience Jesus had, being that He was fully God at birth. Nevertheless He did receive this special anointing that seems to have initiated His public ministry. What I receive from this is, if the Man Christ needed this experience how much more do we?e

Anointed for Service:
It's not without significance that the first thing Jesus did after receiving, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, was to confront Satan in the wilderness. The Word clearly tells Jesus was led into this by the, Holy Spirit. (Lk.4:1) While in this wilderness experience Jesus is tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights! The outcome of this is "BIG".

What's noticeable about the temptations Satan uses against Jesus is that they are the ones used on Adam and Eve in Gen. 3. They are the same three avenues through which the devil seeks to, channel sin into our lives today. 1 Jn. 2:15&16 describes them clearly for us.

1 Jn. 2:15,16 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world.

The 3 avenues of sin are:
1) Cravings of sinful man (KJV- lust of the flesh)
2) Lust of the eyes
3) Boasting about self (KJV- pride of life)

Jesus succeeded where Adam and Eve failed. When we begin experiencing "This New Life" we too will succeed where Adam and Eve failed. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit was significant in Jesus' victory over the temptations of worldliness.

This Anointing is Available Today:
Just prior to Jesus ascension to heaven He encouraged His disciples to wait in the city of Jerusalem for the special promise of Gods Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." Acts 1:8, says, "But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power". Acts 2 records this now historic event. ¶ On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Jesus had not permitted His disciples to start without this same anointing He had received earlier. How much more us!

Is this Anointing for us today or not? Should we seek the Lord for this promise or not? What does the Word of God say? Acts 2:39 - This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles - all who have been called by the Lord our God. The promise is clearly for all who are called of God. Have you been called by God into His eternal family? Are you saved? If so, this promise of Holy Spirit Anointing is for you!

What Should I Do?
Jesus disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray! Out of this, teaching time, came what is known today as, "The Lord's Prayer". This is not all Jesus taught about prayer at this time. From the context of Lk. 4:1-13 we find Jesus also taught about being persistent in prayer. He also taught them to ask for the Holy Spirit!

Lk. 4:9-13 - And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. 11 "You fathers-if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

Jesus teaching here is very significant! He not only teaches us to ask for the Holy Spirit, He also purposes to dispel fear about this experience! Would our Father in heaven give us something harmful? What we should receive from Jesus teaching is the Holy Spirit Anointing is a good gift not to be feared but to be asked for believing its Gods best for us. Jesus received it! On the day of Pentecost another 120 received it. Thousands since then have also received it. Its of God! Its for today! And its for you!

Prayer Suggestion: Heavenly Father thank you that you are the "all knowing" God. You what Jesus needed to be victorious over the world and you know what I need. Help me to be open to your truth. help me not to fear this gift you have promised. Please prepare my heart for all you want to do in and through me. Thank you Father. In Jesus name! Amen