The Incarnation and the Holy Spirit
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
The Incarnation of Christ is important in a multitude of ways. It is crucial for God’s great work of salvation in the world. God became flesh and blood in order to become the substitute for our sins. That Christ was fully human enabled him to offer himself on the cross for the sins of humankind. An angel or other creature could not have done so in the same way. That he was the sinless Son of God enabled him to die for the sins of others rather than his own.
The Incarnation has an even wider impact, however. Because we are reconciled with God through Christ’s work, we have been given God’s promised Holy Spirit. When he ascended into heaven, Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them comfortless but would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit as a comforter and advocate. When the Spirit descended on the Day of Pentecost, it began a new era in the life of God’s people. As the prophet Joel had said, God began to pour out his Spirit in a new way on his people. Joel said, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28-29). Joel’s words indicate a great generosity of God toward his people. He will not be grudging with his blessings. He will not sparingly dispense grace. Rather, he will “pour out his Spirit” on those who believe. This is the great promise of Pentecost and the rich blessing of the Christian faith today.
One of the great works of the Holy Spirit in the world is to create faith in human hearts. If we ask what enables us to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and God, the answer is that we are able to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and God only through the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul said this in his letter to the Corinthians: “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:3). Jesus said the same thing to Peter when he acknowledged Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon, Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). The Holy Spirit kindles faith in us, both for saving faith and also for the various challenges and responsibilities of the Christian life.
The Holy Spirit is also the power of the church for its witness and mission. He emboldens our witness and accompanies us in mission. This was made evident on the first Pentecost. The pouring out of God’s Spirit on the church gave it confidence and boldness to witness about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The disciples, who immediately after the crucifixion were timid and frightened, became bold to proclaim Jesus as resurrected Lord. The Spirit is the power of the church’s witness today as well. He encourages us to reach out, fills us with compassion for the lost, and is the fire in the heart of the church to proclaim Jesus Christ to a lost, hurting, and needy world.