Matthew Part 3
Word and Spirit
Mathew 1:1 – 10
I have always loved chapter four of Mathew. This chapter is full of intrigue and insight. It opens with the temptation of Jesus then moves quickly through the launch of His public ministry, the calling of His first disciples and culminates in something of a healing revival.
There are few places in Scripture where the Word and Spirit debate are spoken into more clearly than right here in this dynamic chapter.
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by satan. Luke gives us a fuller picture of what being led by the Spirit looked like. Luke 1:1 says that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit AND was led by the Spirit. Then Luke 1:14 says He returned “in the power” of the Spirit
So if you can allow me a bit of preacher’s license here to skip between these two texts, Jesus is “full of” and “led by” the Holy Spirit when he is tempted by satan. Yet three times he answers, “It is written”! I love the brilliance of the word of God, yet it is mostly so simple that the “unschooled and ordinary” of Acts 4:13 can get it. This is brilliant yet plain for all to see – Jesus “Full of” AND “led by” the Holy Spirit still needed the word of God to refute and dismiss what must surely have been one of the greatest challenges He faced outside of the cross.
I have been amazed that there is still a debate out there about word OR Spirit, or what the balance is between the two. The brilliant simplicity of this chapter is that we need both for victory, both for sustainability and both to come to fullness.
Let no man out asunder what God has joined together. There is no such thing as the Word and Spirit in conflict, The Holy Spirit breathed the Word, those who walk in the Spirit fulfill the law. I think the conflict is in the people who create the conflict. When I hear people say we need the Word and Spirit - I think to myself " I didn't know they were ever separated"
ReplyDeleteWest coast rant from a man in a hurry :)
Great word TK - miss you guys
Jn6;53"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life." and Col 3;16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord". SO AWESOME is our Father, this truly shows us how one our Father, Son( who is the word made flesh), and Spirit are, They are One. I am enjoying this blog of yours. Love Mom.
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