Rediscover the Bible for Life
“Overshadowed for Christmas”
By Dennis Lee
Today I’d like to talk with you about being under the shadow of the Holy Spirit. And let me make this proclamation at the offset.
The same power that conceived Jesus, the Son of God, within the womb of Mary is the same power that works inside every believer in Jesus Christ.
The power I’m talking about is the overshadowing presence of the Holy Spirit.
“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’” (Luke 1:35 NIV)
In the passage we see Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Light of the World, the Creator Himself was not conceived after the manner of man, but rather by the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit, whereby a virgin was able to conceive beyond the laws of nature.
But it goes beyond that. Mary’s womb was overshadowed, that is, the life conceived within her, Jesus Christ, was protected and maintained by the Holy Spirit.
This overshadowing presence is also seen when Jesus was a child.
“The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40 NIV)
And when Jesus began His ministry we see this same overshadowing presence as John baptized Jesus.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16 NIV)
It doesn’t say that the Holy Spirit was a dove, but came down like a dove. It’s as if the Holy Spirit descended and overshadowed Jesus. Luke’s Gospel goes on to say,
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert.” (Luke 4:1 NIV)
We see the same idea of overshadowing in Jesus’ statement to His disciples about being empowered to fulfill God’s Kingdom plans and purposes.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
And so it was that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples there in the upper room on the Feast of Pentecost filling them, overshadowing them, allowing them to do things beyond their own capability.
Jesus said that those who believe in Him will not only do the same miraculous deeds, but they’ll do even greater things because He was going to the Father, Luke 14:12.
Jesus went on to say, however, that He wouldn’t leave us as orphans, but both He and the Father will send in His place another just like Himself, the Holy Spirit.
“I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 NIV)
And so the same overshadowing power that conceived Jesus in the womb is the same power that’s available to all who believe.
This Sunday morning we’ll look at the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit and His benefits.
Dennis Lee is the senior pastor of Living Waters Fellowship in Mesquite, NV.
