When we see Jesus move into His earthly ministry there is a progression that we can recognize that will help us to better understand how things operate from a Kingdom perspective.
There are three ways to look at this – from a daily application where we can fulfill this, seasons where this is fulfilled & from the angle of a full progression of our lives where we fulfill it over the long haul.
Step One: Humility & Obedience
When Jesus came to John the Baptist He humbled himself to a ministry that was passing away.
But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.
Matthew 3:15
He did this in obedience to the Father and to do that which was “right” to do – to fulfill all righteousness. In the same way our initial step is to yield to God, find the Father’s heart and fulfill His desires doing the things that are “right” in His sight. It can also be seen as our “come to Jesus” moment in our lives. For Jesus this is not the case. Although, for us it does paint the picture of how we come to God in full commitment – even through baptism.
Step Two: The Encounter & Affirmation
The next step or progression we see in the scope of these passages is where once Jesus is baptized or we could say, “obeys to another level of commitment” being set apart for the purposes of God, there is an encounter that occurs. In this encounter He receives the affirmation of the Father by hearing His voice in the most tangible way from the heavens.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16
For us this is a blessing that comes from out obedience as we follow after God. The Father speaks that affirming word to us to let us know His pleasure in us. For many Christians this is where it ends – the encounter and affirmation stage. It is powerful but it does not extend beyond ourselves. It only helps us.
We realize God loves us. We’ve even had some great encounters. We’ve given ourselves to God to a degree but not in the fullness of dedication where our lives find the greatest impact.
Step Three: Sacrifice & Commitment
Now the Holy Spirit leads Jesus to the wilderness. Whoopee! Isn’t this a mistake” He’s not leading Him to the beach. This is where that materialistic worldly mindset trips up because this is much more demanding. It is taxing on the old flesh.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1
Jesus goes for 40 days on a fast in the wilderness where there is no food or distraction – all He had was the Spirit and then the devil eventually shows up as company in this dry land.
This is the next level where testing, maturity and eventual spiritual breakthrough will blossom from – fasting with God in the wilderness. When we reach a point where we are willing to sacrifice that which is prized and precious to us that is where God will meet us. This does not mean we fast 40 days but there is a measure that we can embrace.
To the measure that we sow that will be the measure that we reap. God works with us until we get desperate enough to leave a life of boredom on the outskirts of the Kingdom of God. You really have to be honest with yourself. In our world today we are provided with the maximum number of distractions and options that cause many to settle for less of kingdom living.
Jesus went to the desert. He did not get to take His iPhone, a television and check His likes on Facebook. Think about it – there was NOTHING to distract Him. He had the blue sky, wilderness, maybe some snakes and rocks. This was complete focus on God and God alone. Then when the time of temptation came “at the very end of His fast”, which is important to note, the Word of God was in His heart. By which He overcame the temptations that the devil threw at Him.
We have to come to a point in our lives where we don’t settle for this lukewarm, love the things of this world, wishy-washy, muddied version of materialistic Christianity.
God wants to prosper us, but it is not materialism. Materialism is the worship of things. Prosperity is the blessing of the Lord on a life surrendered to His purposes. There is complete abundance as we are a generous giving people. The resources of this world are not our desire but rather serve in seeing the Kingdom of heaven come on earth. This requires our sacrifice. The step embodies the stripping of the fleshly desires to the embracing of true life after the Spirit – moving beyond self.
Step Four: The Power of the Spirit & Beyond
This is the last part of the progression – empowerment.
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Luke 4:14
The result of the sacrifice Jesus made through fasting and prayer for 40 days was a fresh anointing, the power of the Spirit being in His life for the plans God had laid before Him. Before the desert He was led by the Spirit. After the desert He returned in the power of the Spirit.
The more we embrace a life of sacrifice through fasting and prayer, the more we will experience the power of the Spirit. The goal is not the power, but the pleasure of God. But we would be foolish to think we can fully please God settling for a life devoid of the power of the Spirit.
We can have the Presence of God and not the power. They are different. The Presence of God is not the same as the anointing of the Spirit. The anointing is empowerment to break the chains of oppression.
We need to have that initial dedication to God in our lives, the encounters with God, the loving affirmation and then we also need a life of sacrifice through prayer and fasting. Through this we realize God’s power in our lives.
When the disciples could not cast out a demon Jesus clearly said this kind ONLY comes out by prayer and fasting. (Matt. 17:21) There has been a phrase that has been around quite a while, “What would Jesus do?” The word He shared with His disciples is what He practiced. He is telling His disciples that this is going to require sacrifice on your part to see this person set free – if you are to be a participant.
In the context of marriage Paul encourages a couple to set apart some time for prayer and fasting. It was an understood part of their faith.
Breakthrough is somewhat of a buzz word and popular in circles. But the truth is there is no breakthrough without a life of sacrifice. There is no revival without sacrifice. God breaks through when we give our time, food, money and other things in the context of our commitment to see His Kingdom come.
The fact is we always need breakthrough. If we don’t realize that then we will settle for less. The Kingdom of God is always advancing and taking ground. There is always more ground to take, more lives to be changed and promises to be fulfilled. Because of this we always need of more breakthrough.
Jesus laid out some steps here through His example showing us how we can continue to take more ground, move beyond ourselves and discover a life filled with the power of His Spirit.
Evaluate your life to His as you reflect on these four steps and ask these questions.
- Have you committed your life to God?
- Are you having encounters with Him?
- Is fasting and prayer something that has been embraced as normal in your life with God?
- Do you desire to walk in God’s Power?
- Are you bored and ready to do something that will catapult your life into a fresh wind of God?s Spirit?
What He wants to do is not reserved for the select few. God has destined you to live set apart for breakthrough where His power can be demonstrated through your life. Breakthrough begins on the inside then revealing His Kingdom power, through you, to others.