Luke 3:15-16
“Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Two of the gifts of the Spirit as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12 are the “word of knowledge” and "prophecy" {1 Corinthians 12:8}. We know that John had been baptized with the Holy Spirit when he was still in his mother’s womb so at any time as the Spirit willed, he could manifest any of the gifts of the Spirit. In this passage, we clearly see that John is given a word of knowledge and prophecy. {For understanding, a word of knowledge is information about something that is current and prophecy, according to Revelation 19:10 b is the testimony of Jesus.} Here, John receives a word of knowledge specifically regarding Jesus. The reason that this word was given is because the people who John was speaking to had questions about the Messiah in their hearts. this is what we call "putting a demand on the anointing.” It is typically this type of demand that provokes the Spirit of God to manifest a gift.
The people were reasoning and expecting, and the Spirit of the Lord responded with the truth to answer the questions in their hearts. Specifically, they were asking whether or not John was the Christ. Incidentally there are many reasons for that question that we will not discuss here. At any rate, John received understanding from the Holy Spirit through his spirit that the people thought he was the Christ. This understanding caused him to speak the truth so that the people would know who it was that was coming to save them and set them free. Of course that is exactly what John did when he instructed them about Jesus, the coming Messiah.
In terms of relatability, sometimes when we listen to a preacher or are prayed for by someone, there is something in our hearts that questions whether we are “doing it” or if it really is the Messiah manifesting His love for us. You may be unaware of this but if you think critically, you can call to mind that there are people who listen to a preacher or doctrine and then place what that preacher says or what a denomination preaches over the actual Word of God- like Jim Jones for instance. The heart of man comes fully equipped to seek out and desire its creator- according to Ecclesiastes 3:11 so this is a built-in reaction. However, once the preacher perceives the provocation of the Holy Spirit to tell the people that it is not in their mind or power, but it is Jesus the Christ that teaches, heals, delivers, etc. it is that preachers’ responsibility to speak out this prophetic word. This understanding is imperative so that we know, as both receivers and administers of the Gospel that we must point all to Jesus - even ourselves at times.
Kommentarer