Luke 4:14-15
After his wilderness experience of temptation Jesus returns to Galilee. Today’s reading says Jesus returned “in the power of the spirit.” Luke has already shown us the vital place of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. At his baptism while he was praying the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. It was the spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness. Now it’s by the Holy Spirit’s empowerment that Jesus begins his ministry in earnest.
He is well received and the news of his teaching is making ripples into the gathering places of the day. He’s got the “buzz.” Having the “buzz” of the people is no small thing. Having and keeping the good will of the people is what politicians are always seeking. Could it be another temptation point for Jesus already? To have everyone speak well of you is pretty heady stuff and can lead to crowd pleasing instead of God pleasing choices.
For Jesus there is the great counter balance of the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through his covenant with the Father and Holy Spirit that Jesus stays in balance with his mission and the seductive accolades of the crowd.
How tempting is it for you to be filled with the alluring power of pleasing the crowd versus honoring the person God has called you to be? Each has a price and a benefit. Which do you usually end up embracing?
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