Without Measureಮಾದರಿ

In John’s gospel, John the Baptist declares that Jesus is “the one whom God has sent” and that “God has given him the Spirit without measure.”

Jesus was uniquely supplied with and led by the Spirit without measure. We see an entirely new way of relating to God unfold through the person of Jesus. He is showing the disciples what they will have soon enough – an abundant life– a life led by the Spirit, free in the love and sacrifice of Jesus, intimate and confident within the Father’s embrace.

As the disciples follow Jesus, they have a glimpse into a mind-blowing, category-busting, overflowing life animated by the Holy Spirit. They are witness to healings, miracles, intimacy with the Father – all of it so new. Jesus’s ministry is a preview of what they can anticipate when the Spirit comes.

In Jesus’s final days of His earthly ministry, He promises that the Father will send the Spirit, the Advocate, to be with them and to remind them of all He said and did. He lovingly and carefully prepares them for His return to the Father. From now on, God’s presence will be fully accessible, all the time, until the end of the age.

Jesus’s presence among them felt generous enough. But, now the promise is for even more of Him so that the good news can spread throughout the entire world – the world God loved so much that He gave His only Son. He gave Himself. He gave all that He could give, emptying Himself out for the joy set before Him – union with His image bearers. Astounding!

And then He gives Himself again through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. More giving! And, the giving is always above and beyond – more than we could ever think or imagine.

Who would have thought that God would become part of His own creation in order to redeem and restore it to Himself? And, on top of that, to then supply His Spirit without measure to equip, convict, empower, lead, and fill God’s people for the good of the world and for the sake of His Name.

There’s more. The Holy Spirit is not only moving through the Body of Christ as a whole, but also through each member of the Body. That means you are uniquely gifted by the Spirit with spiritual gifts for the flourishing and functioning of the Body of Christ.

Reflection prompts:

Take time to consider how God has gifted you in His Spirit to bless the body of Christ and this world. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to discern what those gifts are and ask Him to continue equipping you to be a steward of those gifts.