The Holy Spirit & Incarnation

Isaiah’s name means, ‘God is salvation’.

This denotation became the heart of his message (Isaiah 12:2). The names of his children were equally significant (Isaiah 8:3-4). So, Isaiah and his family embodied the message they spoke (Isaiah 8:18).

This was also true of John the Baptist and his parents, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. Each of their names find expression in their song (Luke 1:72-74).

These two prophetic families illustrate an idea that reaches its zenith in Jesus Christ.

As the Bible says, “The Word became flesh…full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Jesus Christ incarnated the message He preached.

We might find it impossible to compare our preaching to Isaiah or John, or to liken our life to an incarnation. And yet, we are all required to embody the message of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-7).

As Christians, we are representatives of heaven with a message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It is a fearful responsibility.

Do we incarnate the message of the gospel?

Do we embody forgiveness, fellowship, and the fruit of the Spirit?

Do we live up to the name ‘Christian’?

Robert