There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. — Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV

Key Thought

Jesus is the promised Messiah, a descendant from “the stump of Jesse,” a descendant of King David. And the Spirit of God was at work in Jesus without limitation (John 3:34). All that the Spirit could inspire in the prophets, and so much more, was fully present in Jesus because of his oneness with the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is God with us (Matthew 1:23), fully present and available to us to make God fully known (John 1:14-18). Yes, the Spirit of the Lord fully rested upon him from conception (Luke 1:34-35), through baptism (Luke 3:21-22), through temptation (Luke 4:1), through ministry (Luke 4:14, 18), and in death (1 John 5:6-12).

Today’s Prayer

Father, I thank you that you not only inspired the words of your prophets of old through the Holy Spirit but that you also sent Jesus as the living Word, full of your Spirit and in union with you. Thank you for this indescribable gift. Please accept my humble thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen.