Category Archives: water baptism

anointing oil, King James 400 Anninversary, moth., Nicodemus, water baptism

The Messiah’s Secret – Baptism of Jesus

Leave a comment


The Jewish people came to John to be baptised by him in the river Jordon. His message was in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His words must have disturbed the hearts of the people when he inferred that they sought repentance only to please their traditions. His words left them wondering what they should do to earn their righteousness.
John suggested that, “The person who had two coats to give one to the person who had not got any. To share their food with each other and the Tax Collectors he told them, “Collect no more than is appointed.” Luke 3: 10-14
John testified to the coming of the Messiah, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3: 11

Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus
Nicodemus he was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council in Jerusalem, we read that he came to speak with Jesus at night, taking care that he was not seen by anybody who knew him. He strikes me as a shrewd man who had decided to go and speak with Jesus in person.
Nicodemus started the conversation by acknowledging Jesus’ teaching and the signs he brought about, these could only have been accomplished by God working with him. Jesus and his disciples would have been glad to hear these words from Nicodemus; they would have probably put them at their ease.

However, Jesus knowing the thoughts and intentions of every person’s heart touched immediately on the subject of ‘Baptism.’ “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born anew he can not see the Kingdom of God.” “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of God.” John 3: 5.
But instead of talking to Nicodemus about John the Baptist’s water baptism, being set apart, cleansed for the forgiveness of sin, a continual process. Mark 1: 4,5. Jesus spoke of the baptism that he was going to give, the’ baptism of water and Spirit,’ which we understand Nicodemus had no knowledge about.

Jesus touched on the heart of the matter.
Nicodemus I am sure had heard John the Baptist’s message and Jesus’ message accompanied by the signs, but Nicodemus had not received their testimony.
“Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.” John 3: 11
This verse would indicate that Nicodemus had not received John’s baptism. Perhaps he still was sceptical as John’s baptism pointed to Jesus as being the Messiah and maybe that is why he came to speak with Jesus.
“Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers had rejected the purposes of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him.” Luke 7: 30

Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea.
After Jesus had died on the cross Joseph of Arimathea a secret disciple went and asked Pilate to take away the body of Jesus, Pilate gave him leave. Nicodemus identified by John as the one who came to Jesus by night helped Joseph take down Jesus from the cross and carry his dead body to Joseph’s tomb where they wrapped Jesus’ body in the spices that Nicodemus had brought to the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus’ involvement must have reached the ears of other members of the ruling council. Nicodemus had openly made his association with Jesus at the time when his closest friends had abandoned him. John 19: 38-42

John the Baptist baptised Jesus

John the Baptist’s baptism was in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus came to John to be baptised by him, John perceived who Jesus was and said to him, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3: 13 – 17

Jesus consecrated and anointed for the priesthood in order to fulfil all righteousness.
Jesus fulfilled the law in being consecrated and anointed for the priesthood at his baptism in the river Jordon. (Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the law in his life and ministry.)
Water was used as part of the consecration of priests.
“And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.” Leviticus 8: 6
Consecration – the act of devotion to a sacred use.
Jesus started his ministry at about the age of thirty. Luke 3: 23
Unger’s Dictionary page 883
“The age for entering the priesthood is not mentioned, but it was probably from 25 years to 30 years.
Numbers 8: 24. 4: 3, 23, 30, 35, 47.
Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron; he was a descendant of King David. But the writer of Hebrews states that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
“For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6: 14-17.

Aaron was anointed with oil, the anointing oil symbolising the Holy Spirit.
“Moses poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to consecrate him.” Leviticus 8: 12
God himself anointed Jesus consecrating him for the work he had called him to do.
When Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting upon Jesus; a voice from heaven was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 17
Matthew when he wrote his gospel recognised Isaiah’s prophecy, the beloved Son of God who pleased his Father by healing all who came to him.
“And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Matthew 12: 15 – 18. Isaiah 42:1.
Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. He did not allow his disciples to make him known during his ministry. It was on the Day of Pentecost when they proclaimed for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus’ healing ministry attracted the attention of the Gentiles; the Roman centurion came to Jesus and asked if he would to heal his servant. The Syrophoenician lady she came to Jesus for her daughter’s healing.

The believer’s baptism in the Old Testament
Jug of water with enough gasses for the people present.
Hand out the glasses and then proceed to fill each glass with water from the jug until the water runs out. When the water runs out, indicate to those who are waiting and expecting to receive some water that there is no more.

During the Israelites wilderness journey we see a glimpse of Jesus’ baptism. After crossing the Red Sea 600,000 Israelites began their journey towards the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. After three days travelling through the wilderness of Shur they ran out of water. When they came to Marah, they found to their dismay, that the water there was bitter and undrinkable. Due to this they murmured against Moses. He cried out to God for his help. God told Moses to throw a tree into the water and the water became sweet and drinkable. Exodus 15: 22 – 25

Jesus’ baptism of repentance
The bitter water of sin.
The tree, the cross where sin was dealt with by Jesus.
The sweet water of sins forgiven.

Born of water
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28: 19
When the centurion pierced Jesus’ heart after he was dead, blood and water poured out.
Alfred Edersheim ‘The Temple’ page 278
“Then the ordinary sacrifice preceeded, the priest who had gone to Siloam so timing it, that he returned just as his brethren carried up the pieces of sacrifice to lay them upon the altar. As he entered by the ‘Watery gate,’ which obtained its name from the ceremony, he was received by a threefold blast from the priests’ trumpets. The priest then went up to the rise of the altar and turned left, where there were two silver basins with narrow holes – the eastern a little wider for the wine, and the western somewhat narrower for the water. Into these the wine of the drink offering was poured, and at the same time the water from Siloam, the people shouting to the priest, ‘Raise thy hand,’ to show that he really poured the water into the basin which led to the base of the altar.”

Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes it speaks clearly of removing dirt and germs. When it is symbolically applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes the things that are unclean that spoil our relationship with God and other people; selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, murder, deceit, fornication, slander and theft.
It works alongside of the blood of Jesus, his life laid down making the final sacrifice for sin, his life’s blood poured out for the sins of the world so that all may partake of his redeeming blood, a drink offering indeed. At our Communion service the wine is symbolic of Jesus’ blood shed for us and we drink in remembrance of his life laid down.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10: 22

Born of the Spirit.
Water also speaks of the Holy Spirit. John 7: 37 On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, “Jesus said, “Is there anyone thirsty, then let them come to me and drink.”
He spoke of the Holy Spirit who would be poured out after his resurrection and ascension.
The Lord Jesus points us to the Holy Spirit quickening our spirit with the Holy Spirit so that we are born again into the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus.

King James Bible 400th Anniversary The translators use the word quicken – made alive

Quicken – to become alive
Quickening – the period in pregnancy when the mother first becomes conscious of the movement of the child.

”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2: 1
”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Ephesians 2: 5
”And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Colossians 2: 13

Jesus separates that which is born of the flesh from that which is born of the Spirit. John 3; 6
As a result of the quickening we begin to discern the movement of Holy Spirit within our being. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment on his movements and on the movement of our soul. The words in the Bible become to us living words, they begin to shape our life as we move, using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Soul – Hebrew – breath
The entire nature and personality of a person

The Flesh
“For the mind that is set on the things of the flesh is hostile to God.” Romans 8: 7
The flesh is also a term used to identify our self interest towards self preservation, self glorification, self indulgence, self gratification and self reliance, to live our lives dependant on our own reasoning, on our logical mind. To think outside the box is risky we feel that we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to things outside our control.
Jesus taught his disciples and those who believe in him to be reliant upon God living our lives in the Spirit.

Living in the Spirit
It isn’t easy to discern when our soul, our self interest is at work. It may be to tell a lie in order to cover up our failing in some way. Some times the Lord allows us to fall into sin and suffer the refining fire of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us in our heart and mind and our conscious bears witness that when we are out of step with the word and Spirit of the Lord.
Forgiveness and healing comes when we are sincere in saying sorry to the Lord, we enter into the freedom of Christ’s forgiveness.
It is harder to over come a fall into sin when the powers of darkness are behind that sin, we find ourselves battling against Satan. The armour of God is ours to use to bring us the victory. Ephesians 6:10-20
The prayers of other Christians are important to help us to defeat the onslaught from the principalities and powers in heavenly places.
Nearly twenty years ago I was attending a craft fair with my pottery, when a man a complete stranger came and confessed his sin to me, he told me that he was at the time a Pastor of a church and he had been wrestling with an addiction. (not drugs) We prayed together, through repentance and claiming Christ’s victorious blood over the addiction.

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
“No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 8: 37-39

Do not leave a window open for the moth to come and tarnish your spiritual house.
True riches and values are precious; the enemy will try and corrupt the scriptures concerning our walk in the Spirit of Christ.
Antinomianism Eyre and Spottiswoode RSV Bible Notes page 1683
“Some have supposed that the dispensation of the gospel releases man from the obligation to keep the law of God. This error is known as Antinomianism (opposition to moral law), and in its extreme form has led to the notion that the more sins the more grace abounds. Here, and in Romans 3:8; 6: 15-23, Paul conclusively means deliverance from the power of sin and death, not a continued thraldom to it.”

God forgave my sin
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name;
I’ve been born again, in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share His love as He told me too.
He said:
‘freely, freely you have received,
freely, freely give;
go in My name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’

Bowl of water placed on a table
Bolton Archdeaconry Quiet Morning 2007 held at St Mary Rawtenstall
Sometimes it is good to ask the Lord to renew us in his Holy Spirit. During the morning after an appropriate prayer was said, Sister Theresa White asked everyone present to come and write their name in the bowl of water.While this was going on, we sang ‘Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.’

fire, messiah revealed, sandals, watch and pray, water baptism

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Messiah

Leave a comment

Most Christians that I know are of the opinion that the time is drawing near to when Jesus will return.

The apostles were expecting Jesus to return shortly after Pentecost and bring in the times of refreshing: the establishing of the eternal kingdom and throne of King David.
“And now brethren, I know you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. Whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old”
Acts 3:17 – 21.
The leaders and people had acted in ignorance as they did not know the prophesies before Jesus death relating to the Messiah’s suffering and death, neither were they revealed by God to them because Jesus’ identity was deliberately hidden from their understanding by him.

It was call to the nations leaders to accept Jesus as their Messiah, that “God may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” confirmed by Jesus himself, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God has come with power.”
Jesus in conversation with Peter about John the disciple “What is that to you if he remain until I come.” Jesus would have returned had the leaders of the nation accepted him as their Messiah. It was a national calling.
At and after Pentecost the apostles proclaim for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah. Old Testament prophesies were revealed by them concerning the Messiah’s death and resurrection and that they had been fulfilled by Jesus.

Daniel’s Prophecy Fulfilled
It was just over 500 years since the temple at Jerusalem had been rebuilt, the leaders and people of Israel ‘were in expectation’ of the prophecy of Daniel to be fulfilled with the coming of the Christ or Messiah – ‘the anointed one.’ Daniel had prophesied the Christ would come after 70 weeks, 490 years after the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem.
“Seventy weeks of years are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet and to anoint a most holy place.” Daniel 9: 24

“As the people were in expectation, (of Daniel’s prophecy being fulfilled) and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ. John answered them all. I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the throng of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3: 15-17

The Jewish leaders were on the look out for a person who stood out and who measured up to what they thought the Christ would say and do. John the Baptist fitted their criteria. John was of the priestly line, the division of Abijah, a descendant of Samuel. He was recognised by everyone as a holy man, he lived in the solitude of the desert until the time came for him to preach the baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

John the Apostle wrote that priests and Levites were sent by the Jews from Jerusalem to ask John the Baptist was he the Christ? John replied, “No” They then asked was he Elijah? John replied, “No” Was he the prophet? He said, “No” but then he answered their question, he was the one preparing the way for the Christ’s coming.
The people wondered if John was the Christ, but John denied being the Christ he described the Christ as being mightier than him.                                                                                                                                       (blog Jesus our Redeemer – Qumran Scrolls the Essene Community were in existence before the Pharisees and Sadducees. “Many scholars believe that they were connected with rise of the Pharisees in the centuries before the birth of Jesus,” Introducing the Old Testament” by John Drane. The scrolls indicate that they believed in two or even three Messiahs.)

Prophecy of Elijah’s coming The prophecy given by the angel to John’s father Zachariah concerning his son, “And he (John) will go before him (the Christ) in the power and spirit of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1: 17

Jesus’ disciples asked him,” Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but they to him what ever they please. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

We hear from the discourse of Paul at the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia that John the Baptist had gone throughout the whole of Israel preaching a baptism of repentance.
“Of this man’s posterity (King David) God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ’what do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whom I am not worthy to untie.’” Acts 13: 23-25

The sandals of whom I am not worthy to untie.

People came to John to be baptised by him in the river Jordon. John in conversation with some of the people who were there he humbled himself before them. He spoke about the Messiah who was to come whose sandals he did not feel worthy to untie. Maybe some of the people present were themselves household servants, so they would know what he was probably referring to; On entering a house it was customary after travelling on the dusty roads for the servant to wash the visitor’s feet. John was so reverential towards Jesus he did not feel worthy even to untie the laces of his sandals to do that menial task. Also he saw Jesus’ feet as being clean already.
When Jesus came to John to be baptised by him, John would have prevented him when he said to Jesus, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me? But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3: 14

In our Communion service we say in the prayer of Humble Access:
“We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs from under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat his flesh and drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.”
This prayer is about having reverential humility, a Godly fear of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are baptised ‘washed through his most precious blood,’ baptised into his death and resurrection, and celebrate with thanksgiving through the tokens of the bread and wine, the victory Jesus has won for us.

Last Easter several of the Anglican Bishops in Manchester during Holy Week went out onto the streets cleaning the shoes of people, to replicate the command of Jesus to serve one another in humility and love.

Fire of judgement
John spoke of the fire of judgement that the Messiah would administer. “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.. . . . His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3: 9, 17
By what John said, he did not know, that before the Day of Judgement could be brought in, Christ had first had to suffer death, be resurrected and ascend into heaven and be seated at the right hand of God.

Jesus said, “I came to cast a fire upon the earth; and how I would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!”
Luke 12: 49,50.

The Messiah’s Secret page 47
Jesus was referring to the fire of the Day of Vengeance, the Day of the Lord. The fire not yet kindled, not until after he brought in the good news of the impending kingdom, gathering the nation together. A loving heavenly Father giving the outcast, the people who had fallen away from his laws, the opportunity to receive salvation through the Laws of Moses, without the added generations of added precepts, whereby the Jew was blameless through good works, deeds, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, helping the widows . . . . Jesus did not come as judge to condemn the people.” For I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Meaning – the baptism of his death followed by his resurrection. He was constrained to bring in the fire of judgement until his death and resurrection had been accomplished. His death was a secret; it was hidden from the Jews. Even the disciples didn’t understand about his death and what rising from the dead meant. . . . He was constrained until after his ascension to cleanse the nation of sin and the causes of sin, to bring in the Day of Judgement.”

Messiah’s Secret
During Jesus’ ministry his identity was hidden from the understanding of the Jewish leaders and the vast majority of the people including the disciples.
“When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Jesus said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever, How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 32 – 34
Jesus told his disciples that he was going to be put to death and be raised from the dead.
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”
Luke 18:31-34

The title ‘Son of man’ was a title in association with the prophets and the Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples ‘Who do they say the Son of man is? They at first mentioned the names of prophets: John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah, but it was Peter who made the association with the Christ, he said that Jesus was the Son of man, the Christ. Jesus went on to say that they were not to tell anyone who he was.
“And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marvelling at everything he did, he said to his disciples. “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of man.” But they didn’t understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9:43-45

The Messiah’s Secret revealed at Pentecost the disciples proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ.
Christ had to die and become the atoning sacrifice for sin and be raised up from the dead by God.
Peter speaking at Pentecost, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed by the hands of lawless men.”
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Peter was standing with the eleven disciples)
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2: 9-36

Baptism of John and the Baptism of Jesus, the difference between them
The Holy Spirit came in response to the devoted prayers of the 120 disciples in the upper room. Fulfilling the promise Jesus gave to his disciples. He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. “For John baptised with water, but before many days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1: 4,5.

The people only knew the water baptism of John, the forgiveness of sin under the Law of Moses. The water baptism of Jesus for forgiveness of sin was to be administered in the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit was received as a gift.
A person baptised in Jesus’ name today, my sister received the gift of the Holy Spirit when her children were baptised at her local Anglican Church. I’ve also heard of people today, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit as they were baptised through full immersion in water.

At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came there was no water baptism.
They waited in the upper room of the house where they were staying. On the day of Pentecost the Feast of Weeks also known as The Feast of the First Fruits, the gathering in of wheat harvest, the Holy Spirit came and made his presence felt. He filled the whole house with his Spirit especially the disciples and followers in the upper room. They found themselves seeing a flame like that of fire, upon each others heads, and they spoke in the languages of other nations. Acts 2: 1-4

The Holy Spirit is received as a gift through faith in Jesus. It is the operation of our Saviour God.
The coming of the Holy Spirit into a person’s life is still going on today. It is real; it is not suggestive thought or emotional hysteria.

There are different ways of receiving him into a person’s life: He comes as promised through the prayers of those asking to receive him through repentance and faith in Jesus’ name. I received him through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands. Also when persons head knowledge about Jesus, drops down into the heart, that can happen whilst singing a hymn or a chorus or reading a passage in the Bible or through hearing the scriptures expounded.
There are those who can not hear due to deafness, but hear the movement of the Holy Spirit within them or because of blindness, to handle the cross is a powerful symbol, feeling its shape and sensing the truth as the Holy Spirit reveals it into a person’s heart.

Thirst for the Holy Spirit
1983 Martin Nystrom. Restoration Music Ltd/Lifestyle Music Ltd. Mission Praise published by Harper Collins.

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You,
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship You.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.

I want You more than gold or silver only You can satisfy,
You alone are the real joy giver, and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength and shield,
to You alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire
and I long to worship You.

You’re my friend and You’re my brother, even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength and shield,
to You alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire
and I long to worship You.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read that when Paul came to Ephesus he found that the Christians there had not received the Holy Spirit. They had not even heard of the Holy Spirit.
It is true for some Christians today, we hear his name mentioned, but we do not hear anything about him. For some it maybe that they are hesitant because they are not convinced it’s true or are perhaps worried at the prospect of his coming to dwell within.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the Spirit of God’s Love. The love and peace of God is shed abroad in our hearts through faith in Jesus. He works hand in hand with Jesus. He convicts us of sin through the fire of God’s love and holiness, the goodness of God, his righteousness. He judges and helps us to discern the spirits and to resist temptation, as our nature has changed we feel as God our Father feels about unrighteousness. He reveals Jesus the living word to our understanding and he works through the gifts he has given to us. He is our comforter in times of distress and trouble. He is gentle and kind, filling us with the joy of our salvation which is our strength.

The disciple’s eyes of their understanding concerning the Messiah’s suffering and death were opened by Jesus.
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus opened the disciples understanding to the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection that it was necessary for these prophesies to be fulfilled. “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ”Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’” Luke 24: 44-48

On the Mount Olives the disciples waited to watch Jesus ascend into heaven.
“So when they came together they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Acts 1: 6,7.
Jesus was about to leave his disciples, clearly they thought that with his departure the nation had missed the opportunity to see the times of refreshing brought in by the Messiah: the restoration of the throne and eternal kingdom of King David.

Times or seasons
In the parable of the pounds Jesus responded to the supposition that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. “A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return.”
Jesus was about to leave them and ascend into heaven to be with his Father God.
These scriptures relate to this: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make his enemies a stool for thy feet.'” Acts 2:34,35
Jesus is waiting in heaven, “Until the time for establishing all that God spoke by his holy prophets from of old.” Acts 3:21
In his absence his disciples would proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. But like in the parable the citizens did not want him to reign over them.
In the parable on his return having received the kingdom, rewards were given to the faithfull, followed by judgement of his enemies.
On Jesus’ return, which is future, he will take up with the nation of Israel. The church will come with Jesus on his return and reign with him, having received rewards from him. Luke 19: 11-27

The Leaders of Israel would not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
The same leaders who had witnessed Jesus death and heard of his resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit as prophesied by the prophet Joel and were recounted by Peter at Pentecost. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters will prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams . . . . . the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Acts 2: 17-21.
Several thousands of Jewish people responded to his message and joined the disciples. However, the Jewish leaders they were still not convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Even though Caiaphas the high priest that year had been given a prophecy that proved the Christ had to die to save the nation.

”But one of them who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.” John 11:49-51

The church is waiting and watching for Jesus’ return
Mean while after 2,000 years the time is drawing nearer we are expected to look for the signs like the people of Jesus’ day who were watching, looking for the two witnesses.

John the Apostle in his revelation wrote about the end days that the two witnesses will be given power to prophesy and with signs, showing that God is working with them. Revelation 11: 1-13

Jerusalem today has the occasional person who proclaims themselves as: the Messiah or one of the two witnesses of latter day prophesies.
In David Dolan’s book ‘Israel in Crisis’ published in 2001 by Fleming H Revell page 134. He writes,” If the two prophets are actual men, as I obviously believe, then who on earth are they? They might be two humble prayer warriors who receive an unimaginable divine calling one day. This has happened to many prophets of old. It certainly was the case with Peter and Andrew, called from their Sea of Galilee fishing nets to follow the Fisher of Men. One thing seems eminently undeniable: They will not be Harold McGrath from Cleveland and Sven Olaf from Stockholm or Chou Lee from Hong Kong and Abu Banu from Lagos. They will be Jews, most likely Israelis.”

Watch and pray
I have put on a mug I use at home, “Come, Jesus Come.” When I say the Lord’s Prayer; I pray for the Lord to come soon, with all of my heart.