October 22, Monday

Fresco by Balthasar Augustin Albrecht showing Jesus healing a man with dropsy., Herrenchiemsee Abbey, 1715

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 10:38.

What a striking description this is of the life of the Lord Jesus as a Man on this earth! The Lord Jesus is God, but He became Man to live here for God’s pleasure and glorification. For this purpose He was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power”; and He “went about doing good”. The Son of God trod His pathway on earth as a visitor from heaven, a humble stranger, true Man, yet in character so completely different from all other people. His walk was unique, His words were such as had never been heard before, full of power, though full of grace at the same time.

Despite these virtues, people treated Him with hatred and contempt. Yet He “went about doing good and healing”. How He is worthy of our adoration! He went about unknown, unwanted, unheeded, a homeless stranger in the world His hands had made. He sought no applause from men, nor did He strive after their favour. He simply “went about doing good and healing”. Small children learned His affection in His arms, sinners who were rejects found a welcome at His feet, people laden with cares received comfort in His company, the sick were healed at His word, and His disciples found sympathy in His presence. He ministered to all, and “God was with him”.

He was denied by men yet acknowledged by God; hated by men, but loved by God, forsaken by men, yet “God was with him”. On His lonely path the presence of the Father was His dwelling.

Image: By Wolfgang Sauber – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52409345