Today’s selected reading continues in the first New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth. More specifically today’s passage is found in the second and third chapter of this New Testament book. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

 

            “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things,  yea, the deep things of GOd. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with. Spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

 

            “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (1 Corinthians. 3:1-4).

 

            “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to ever man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try ever man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath build thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians. 3:5-15).

            “Know ye not that ye are the temple ofo God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? IF any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, he taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:16-23).

 

            When you come to the second and third chapters of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will encounter some incredibly powerful language from the apostle. If you begin reading with and from the first and opening verse of the second chapter you will find the apostle beginning with the apostle Paul declaring unto the Corinthians that when he came to them he did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to stop right there and consider the tremendous significance of those words as the apostle Paul touches on something which preachers and teachers of the word of God within this generation desperately and earnestly need to recognize and understand. There is a great need to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the apostle Paul describes how when he came unto the city of Corinth he didn’t come with excellency of speech nor of wisdom as and when he declared unto them the testimony of God. Furthermore the apostle Paul goes on to describe how he determined to know nothing among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Moreover the apostle Paul goes on to describe how when he was with them he was so in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. In addition to this his speech and his preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but rather in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The underlying reason and purpose as to why this is important is found in the fifth verse of the first chapter as the apostle Paul would speak of their faith not resting or standing in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. This is something which we must needs acknowledge and understand within our hearts and minds for at the very heart and center of what we are reading is not only the faith of the Corinthians but how that faith ought not to rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

            I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be absolutely convinced with what the apostle Paul spoke of as being absent while he was in Corinth. If you read the words found in this passage of Scripture you will not only read of that which was absent from his time in Corinth but you will also read of what was present among them. This is something we must needs recognize and understand as it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the time the apostle Paul spent in the city knowing that he would spend eighteen months among the Corinthians. The apostle Paul would enter into the synagogue of the Jews every sabbath and would reason with them from the scripture alleging those things which pertained to Christ. When Silas and Timothy came from Thessalonica the apostle Paul would be pressed in the spirit and would allege that Jesus was indeed the Christ. It would be as a direct result of this the unbelieving jews who were hard of heart and dull in hearing would stir up the city against the apostle Paul. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the time which the apostle Paul spent in the midst of the city of Corinth. We know that in the city of Corinth—just as it was in Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, Thessalonica and Berea—the unbelieving Jews who were hard of heart and dull of hearing would not only blaspheme but would also persecute the apostle Paul and his companions as they preached the word and gospel of Jesus of Nazareth as they argued and contended that Jesus was indeed the Christ and the Lord.

 

            The more I think about and consider the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the time the apostle Paul would spend in the midst of the city of Corinth. We know the apostle Paul would enter into the synagogue of the Jews every sabbath reasoning from the Scriptures concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul would remind the Corinthian saints when writing this epistle that while he was present among them he did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom. What’s more is that as you read the opening verses of the second chapter you will find the apostle Paul describing how he was present among them in weakness, and in fear and in much trembling. Not only this but his preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. You will notice that when the apostle Paul is writing unto the Corinthian saints he not only spoke of “the demonstration of the Spirit and of power” but he would also write concerning the power of God.  This is important for us to recognize and understand for in the gospels Jesus would speak of casting out devils and unclean spirits by the finger of God—the finger of God which was a way of speaking of and expressing the person, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. When writing unto the Corinthian saints the apostle Paul not only spoke of demonstration but he also spoke of demonstration as it pertains to the Spirit and of power. Not only this but the apostle Paul would speak of that power as being the power of God. Despite the fact that he came in weakness, and in fear and in much trembling there was something which he did have which was the power of God and the demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

 

            I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture as it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the words which the apostle Paul used. The apostle Paul essentially acknowledged that there was nothing enticing about him and that he did not come with and using the wisdom of men—something the apostle Paul would write and speak of in the previous chapter. If you read the words which are found in the first chapter of this first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle Paul declaring how he did not come nor was he sent by Christ to baptize but to preach the gospel. The apostle Paul would go on to describe how he was sent to preach the gospel—not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. In essence the apostle Paul recognized and understood that the preaching of the gospel did not and ought not to rest on the wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. The apostle Paul recognized and understood that the preaching of the cross was to them that perish foolishness but unto those who are. Saved it is the power of God. The apostle Paul would also go on to describe how it was written how the living and eternal God would destroy the wisdom of the wise and would bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. The apostle Paul would then ask where were the wise, and where were the scribes and where were the disputes of the world. This would be followed by the apostle Paul asking them concerning God making foolish the wisdom of the world knowing that in the wisdom of God the world by its own wisdom knew not God. As a direct result of this it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

            The words and language which we find in this passage of Scripture must be carefully examined for it highlights and underscores the futility of the wisdom of men. Not only this but this passage illustrates and demonstrates the futility of wise and persuasive speech over and above the demonstration of the power and of the Spirit. Oh it is indeed true there are those who might very well preach the gospel with wise and eloquent speech and with enticing words and yet the power of God and the demonstration of the Spirit is entirely and altogether absent from among them. Oh it is true they might have charisma and personally and might be able to invoke an emotional response from those who listen to them teach and preach, however, we must needs recognizer and understand that preaching absent the power of God, preaching absent the demonstration of the Spirit and preaching absent the presence of the living and eternal God is completely and utterly futile. This is something which we ought to recognize and pay close attention to when thinking about and considering the words the apostle Paul wrote in the second chapter of this first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints for the apostle Paul speaks of the wisdom of this world and even wise, persuasive and eloquent speech as being absolutely meaningless in this world and in this life.

 

            As I think about the words which are found in the second chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints I am indeed brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding Christ whom he walked with and followed. I can’t help but read the words the apostle Paul wrote in this passage of Scripture and how the apostle would indeed walk in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth who was indeed Lord and Christ. If you read the narrative of the four gospels you will find that when Jesus came into this world many marveled at the words which He spoke for He did not speak unto them as their scribes did for He spoke with power and authority. When Jesus spoke the words of life which were ordained and appointed for Him to speak by His Father which was in heaven He would not appeal to the wisdom and understanding of this world and would indeed teach and speak with great authority and power. Time and time again those who heard the words which the Lord Jesus spoke marveled and were amazed when hearing Him speak for his words were not like those which proceeded forth from the mouths of their scribes and the teachers of the Law. When Jesus spoke He not only spoke with power and authority but He also demonstrated and manifested the kingdom and power of God unto and among them. In fact it would be Jesus Himself who would declare that signs not only followed those who believed but signs would also follow the preaching of the Word. With this in mind, however, I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize that when and while Jesus was among us as the Word made flesh there was nothing appealing or alluring about Him in the eyes of those who looked upon him. The Lord Jesus would indeed come meek and lowly and there would be nothing attractive or appealing about Him. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the fifty-third chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah as well as the first and opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John:

 

            “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form or comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, spitting of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travel of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear his iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong: because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of man, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12).

 

            “IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the lIght, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:1-18).

 

            I was going to immediately transition to the words and language found in the gospels concerning the demonstration of the power of the Spirit manifesting and at work within the person and life of the Lord Jesus Christ as in contrast to His being despised and rejected by His own, however, I am absolutely convinced that I must pause before doing so. When I was writing the words which were found in these two passages of Scripture I can’t help but think about the fact that although while Jesus was present among us as the Word made flesh and although He had no form or comeliness He would indeed ascend unto the right hand of the Father. It would be in the glory which He had with the Father from the beginning Jesus would not only be given a name that was above all other names but would be worshipped by nations, tribes and tongues. What’s more is the apostle Paul would indeed declare that every knee would bow and every tongue would confess that Jesus is Lord thus indicating the tremendous truth surrounding the beauty of Jesus—something we must needs recognize and understand when reading the words found within these passages of Scripture. There is a great need for us as the saints of God and as the disciples of Christ to be absolutely captivated with and by the beauty and worth of the person of Jesus. There was at least one person who truly recognized this beauty and worth of Jesus while He was present among us as the Word made flesh and that was Mary who would take her alabaster box filled with precious ointment and perfume and not only break the box upon the feet of Jesus but would also anoint His feet with the perfume as she would wash them with her tears and dry them with the hairs of her head. There was at least one person during those days who recognized the beauty and worth of Jesus and yet we encounter this beauty on an entirely different level after Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven.

 

            It is with this being said I invite you to first and foremost consider that one who recognized the beauty, the worth, the majesty, the splendor and the value of the Lord Jesus while He was present among us in the flesh having taken upon Himself the seed of Abraham. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to first and foremost consider the narrative of Mary who anointed the feet of Jesus with the fragrant, costly and precious perfume which was made available as a direct result of breaking the alabaster jar. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of the four gospels concerning Mary who would dare enter into the house willing to engage herself in extravagant worship in the presence of Jesus—and not only in the presence of Jesus but also in the presence of all those who were present which would include the disciples and even religion. Here are each of the four accounts and narratives of this woman who dared entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus with nothing but her brokenness and her worship as she dared to pour out her extravagant worship upon and before the Lord Jesus:

 

            “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very previous ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her” (Matthew 26:6-13).

 

            “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she barke the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye here? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and when soever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come a forehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:3-9).

 

            “And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to saw unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou dost not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:36-50).

 

           

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she. Kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always” (John 12:1-8).

 

It is absolutely necessary for us to recognize and understand the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to this one woman who dared to express her love and her affection for Jesus of Nazareth. Each of the four gospels presents the narrative and account of this woman with the gospels written by the apostle Matthew and John Mark presenting this event as taking place and occurring during the final week of Jesus’ passion before His suffering and ultimately His death. The beloved physician Luke presents it earlier on within his gospel and paints the picture of this woman entering into the house of Simon who was a Pharisee knowing that Jesus had been bidden unto this man’s house. The apostle John presents it toward the middle of his gospel although he places this event in the same town and village as the apostle Matthew and John Mark do—the village of Bethany. What we must needs recognize and acknowledge when reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture is that it brings us face to face with this woman who dared show and express herself in light of the beauty, the splendor and the majesty of the person of Jesus of Nazareth. This woman recognized the worth, the value, the preciousness and the beauty of Jesus and viewed her alabaster box of no value compared to that One who had redeemed and delivered her. This is something we must needs pay close attention to for there is something truly beautiful about it when you take the time to truly understand this woman who dared to express her worship in the house as she would pour out the perfume present in the alabaster jar upon the feet of Jesus as she would also wash His feet with her tears and would dry them with the hairs of her head.

 

There is a great need for us to recognize and pay attention to the following words which are found in this passage of Scripture as it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the beauty, the splendor, the glory, the majesty and the infinite worth that is found in the person of the Lord Jesus. Although while He was present among us as the Word made flesh there was no form or comeliness to Him and although He was despised and rejected of men while He was present among us as the Word made flesh there would come a time when He would ascend unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. Scripture makes it very clear that the Father would indeed exalt Jesus unto His right hand—and not only would He exalt Him unto His right hand but He would also give Him a name that is far above every other name in heaven, and in the earth, and under the earth. This name which belongs to Jesus would be a name that would cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess as men of every nation, tribe and tongue profess that He is Lord. What’s more is that when you come to the fourth and fifth chapters of the New Testament prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find incredible scenes in heaven as all of heaven would bow down and worship before Jesus who is indeed the Lamb which was slain from the foundation of the world. The scenes which unfolded in heaven would indeed bring us face to face with the tremendous and infinite worth, value and beauty that is found in the person of Jesus as even before the throne of the living and eternal God the twenty-four elders would bow down and cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus, as the four living creatures would engage in the chorus of heaven, as the angels in heaven would give themselves to worship of the Lamb and as all those who were present in heaven would worship before this One who alone deserves all worship, all praise, all adoration. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the epistle written unto the Philippian saints, the words which are found in the New Testament epistle written unto the Roman saints, the words which are found in the New Testament book of Acts as well as the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ:

 

“Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:8-12).

 

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, tho shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:4-13).

 

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in low lines of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, through tit not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me” (Philippians 2:1-18).

 

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow rounds bout the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beats give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:1-11).

 

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beats, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven. Horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and bolden vials full of odour, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals there: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:1-10).

 

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten shots and, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:11-14).

 

Having presented you with these passages of Scripture which demonstrate the infinite and eternal worth and beauty of Jesus I find it necessary to turn our attention back to the subject at hand—namely that of Jesus taking upon Himself the seed of Abraham and being the Word made flesh and dwelling among us. The prophet Isaiah declared that there was no form nor comeliness to Him and that He was despised and rejected of men. The apostle John emphatically declared that He came unto His own and His own received Him not. Both of these passages of Scripture demonstrates the tremendous truth surrounding the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ quite possibly being that which you would not expect of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father. We know that Jesus was beloved Son of the Father in whom He was well pleased and we know that he was the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, however, Scripture seems to suggest that there was no earthly beauty to Him. Scripture seems to suggest that when you think about and consider the person of Jesus the Christ you would somehow expect more of this one who proceeded from the Father which was in in heaven. Oh there have been numerous attempts to undertake painting and even drawing portraits of Jesus and what He looked like while He was present upon the earth. Many of the portraits which have been drawn and painted bear striking similarities and seem to agree in the image that is being presented of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father. With this being said, however, I find it absolutely necessary to describe how there is no one who has truly seen the Lord Jesus exactly as He appeared in the midst of the earth when He came among us as the Word which was made flesh. There is not a single person alive today who walked the earth during the days in which Jesus Himself walked and can adequately and accurately describe what He looked like and this was well before the age of technology and digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, tablets and the like.

 

With all of this being said, however, there is a great need for us to recognize that although there might not have been any beauty to the Lord Jesus there was something about Him that attracted the crowds and the multitudes. Despite the fact that there might not have been any form or comeliness to the person of the Lord Jesus the crowds and multitudes were indeed drawn to Him. Within the four gospels we find men and women marveling at the words which He would teach and speak for He would teach as one who had authority and not as their scribes and teachers of the Law. What’s more is that when you read the four gospels you will find the authors describing how Jesus demonstrated and manifested the kingdom of heaven within and upon the earth. During those three and a half years Jesus walked upon the face of the earth He would indeed demonstrate and manifest the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact it would be after Jesus emerged from the waters of the Jordan River that the heavens would be opened before and unto Him, the Spirit would descend and light upon Him in the bodily form of a dove and the voice of the Father would speak from heaven declaring this to be His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. What’s more is that within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we read the account of Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit of God and being endowed with the power of the most High God. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it would be prophesied by Isaiah that the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord would indeed anoint Jesus with the Holy Spirit—something which the apostle Peter would preach and proclaim unto Cornelius and his household as described in the New Testament book of Acts. Consider now if you will the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture beginning with the accounts of the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River:

 

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbid him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17).

 

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1: 9-11).

 

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22).

 

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a m an which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34).

 

Before returning to the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke I find it necessary to turn our attention to the sixty-first chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah. It is here within this particular chapter we find thee prophetic declaration concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Centuries before Jesus would indeed walk upon the earth as the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us the prophet Isaiah would see the Spirit anointing Him for the work whereunto He had been sent into the earth to carry out and complete as ordained by the eternal Father which was in heaven. In order to understand the words which are found in the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the physician Luke it is first necessary to consider the words which are found in the prophetic book of Isaiah. The words which are presented in this Old Testament book would indeed be mentioned and referenced in the gospel written by Luke as Jesus would find the place in the book of Isaiah where these words were written and would read them in the hearing of all those who were present in the synagogue in Nazareth. These words must be carefully understood for they describe the awesome and wonderful truth surrounding Jesus of Nazareth being anointed by the Spirit to demonstrate and manifest the kingdom of heaven. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the sixty-first chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah as well as the words which are found in the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel of Luke as well as the tenth chapter of the New Testament book of Acts:

 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planning of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” Isaiah 61:1-4).

 

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1).

 

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. Into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogues were fastened on him. And he began to say unto the, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:14-22).

 

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:34-43).

 

            It is quite clear from the words which are found in this passage of Scripture that Jesus was indeed anointed of the Holy Ghost and with power that He might go about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. This is something which warrants strong consideration when we think about the words which the apostle Paul wrote for when we think and speak about the preaching of the gospel we must needs recognize that it cannot and must not be rooted and grounded in the wisdom of this world nor in the wisdom of men. The teaching and preaching of the word of God and of the kingdom cannot and must not be with wise and persuasive words for although they might indeed invoke an emotional response they are absolutely powerless and useless to promote true and genuine change and transformation within the hearts and lives of those who hear it. There is a great need for us as the people of God to recognize that the Jews seek a sign and the Greek ask for wisdom and yet that which is desperately needed is the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. There are many teachers and preachers who are all talk and who are great showmen and yet whose lives are absent the touch of the very Spirit of the living and eternal God. There are countless ministers today who talk a good game and who might even seem as though they are and have been anointed by the Holy Spirit because of how eloquent they deliver the preaching of the word. The truth of the matter, however, is that true and authentic preaching that is anointed by the Holy Ghost is like a hammer that breaks in pieces the hardened heart and is like a fire that is shut up within the bones of those who hear it. True and authentic preaching does not need to be with wise and persuasive words not eloquent speech for it to cause a fire to burn within the hearts of those who hear it—just like the two men who walked along the road to Emmaus with Jesus heard and felt.

 

            The more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the fact that perhaps one of the greatest elements that is missing from many of our church services is indeed the demonstration of the power and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Men and women marvel in great orators and they pander at the promotion of self that parades itself as preaching, however, preaching absent the touch of God and without the anointing of the Holy Spirit is nothing more than vain words. It is true that God honors His word above His name and that His word will not return unto Him void, however, we cannot, we dare not and must not use that as an excuse to present unto others powerless preaching that has not received the touch of the living and eternal God. I don’t care how eloquent you are, I don’t care how clever your words are, I don’t care how charismatic you are for if you don’t have the touch of God upon your life the preaching you attempt to present unto others will be nothing more than shallow words. Even if you might very well be preaching from the word of God there will be absolutely nothing that demonstrates the touch of God is upon your life nor that the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is upon you. It’s important to note that this only comes through passionate and fervent commitment in the secret close of prayer before the throne of the living God. Do not dare expect nor even think that you can somehow have the anointing of the Spirit of God upon your life if you have not committed and are not willing to commit yourself to passionate praying in the secret close of prayer. Powerful preaching has always been and will always be dictated and controlled by passionate praying in the secret closet of prayer. Jesus was indeed anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to do good and heal all that were oppressed of the devil, however, He still needed to get alone with and before His Father who was in heaven.

 

            There is something we must needs recognize and understand when considering these words for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the need for the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God. The apostle Paul emphatically declared unto the Corinthian saints that he did not come to them with wise and persuasive words lest their trust and their hope rest upon the wisdom and knowledge of men. This is important for us to understand and acknowledge for the wisdom and knowledge of men has never and will never do anything more than appeal to the intellects of men. That which the apostle Paul wrote and spoke about in this first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints is that which appeals to the heart and that which appeals to the spirit and soul within the life of one who hears it. Preaching that is centered around and focused upon the wisdom and knowledge of men will appeal only to the mind and intellect of those who hear it whereas preaching that is rooted in the demonstration of the power and of the Spirit can and will touch the very heart and spirit of those who hear it. The apostle Paul determined to know nothing among the Corinthian saints save Jesus and Him crucified and this is something which he would later mention in the second epistle written unto the same congregation—“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:16-21).

 

            Returning to the second chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle Paul going on to further describe how they spoke wisdom among them were perfect—yet not the wisdom of this world, nor the princes of this world which come to nought. Instead the apostle Paul spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery—even the hidden wisdom—which God ordained before the world unto glory which none of the princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Pause for a moment and consider that for it suggests that even when the devil, even when the princes of this world, even when the forces of hell itself were going about to crucify the Lord of glory they had absolutely no idea what they were doing nor even what they were accomplishing. God in His infinite knowledge and wisdom set the greatest bait and switch ever when He allowed His Son to be crucified upon a tree and I am convinced that during those three hours—from the sixth hour unto the ninth hour—the darkness that covered the face of the earth at that time was all of hell itself descending upon the cross to mock, to jeer, to ridicule and to taunt the Lord Jesus. There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what that scene looked like in the supernatural realm as we know there were those gathered around the cross in the physical realm who mocked and ridiculed Jesus demanding that He come down from the cross. During those six hours in which darkness covered the earth I can’t help but wonder what that scene looked like in the supernatural and spiritual realm as I am sure all of hell came to gloat and boast over the death and crucifixion of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God.

 

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely astounding that not only did God choose the foolishness of the cross to bring to nought the wisdom and strength of this world but He also used the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Himself as a great trap to completely and utterly make a spectacle of the demonic forces, of the princes of this world, of the spiritual wickedness that was in high places, and even of the devil himself. I absolutely love the words and language the apostle Paul uses when writing unto the Corinthians for he goes on to write how it was written that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love Him. The apostle Paul doesn’t stop there, however, for He goes on to describe how God has revealed these things unto us by His Spirit for the Spirit searches all things—even the deep things of God. The apostle Paul continues writing and asks what man knows the things of the a man save the spirit of a man which is present within them. As it pertains to God the things of God knows no man but the Sprit of God Himself. This leads the apostle Paul to go on and declare that we have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely govern to us of God—those things which come not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches concerning spiritual things. This is important for us to recognize for within this passage we not only encounter the demonstration of the Holy Spirit but we also come directly in contact with the teaching of the Holy Spirit, thus indicating that we not only need to be taught of the Holy Spirit but we also need to be anointed by the same Spirit. The question you and I must needs ask ourselves is whether or not we have indeed and have in fact been taught by the person of the Holy Spirit and have in fact been anointed by the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit and whether or not His touch is upon our lives in this generation.