“But the people would not welcome Him or receive or accept Him, because His face was [set as if He was] going to Jerusalem.” Lk 9:53 Amp
“And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.” 1Cor 2:4-5 Amp
Power over Presentation
The power of God working on us radiates from His Spirit within our spirit, and His enduement of power or anointing upon our soul, outward to the physical body and its functioning.
So when Jesus’ face was set like He was going to Jerusalem it was like a covering of steel over His person to assure no deflection, no distraction, and no missing the mark. He was an arrow shot in service to and of God to accomplish a work. No tactics of man or the enemy was going to impact or change this work.
But the Spirit and heart of Jesus all the while was still One of Love, One of Peace, One with the Father.
Even though His face was determined and set, His face was merely the needed covering over divine purpose and divine power. Like an arrow about to be shot into great turbulence and resistance, it needed a determined covering to be strong to resist external forces that would deflect its purpose.
The realization for you and me, is that our appeal for the Gospel cannot be to or through the flesh. In essence, when the Spirit of God is leading you, your task is to make sure you are one with His Spirit, and then to be released to whatever He brings forth in you.
So often, we think it is the arrangement of our countenance, our passion, or our winsome words that will win a person’s engagement with the truth. But Jesus demonstrates and Paul explains to us that this is not the case.
Paul assures us in 1 Corinthians that enticing and eloquent words can compete with God’s power as can human philosophy and wisdom. Man’s plans and thinking and words can make a hash of things when they try to be the front-runners rather than the servants of God. They must all be submitted and placed in service under the Lord’s authority.
What does this mean for us as witnesses? Ultimately our faith must not be in our own competency, or understanding. When witnessing or teaching, forget yourself and your presentation completely. Roll everything onto the Lord, and let your faith rest solely in the power of God – not the wisdom of men.
Essentially, quit worrying or focusing on the polish of the delivery – and instead let your preparation be of the cultivation of a humble and contrite heart which breaks with God’s love for the lost and those sitting in darkness.
Often we believe, “when my delivery is perfected (like a salesmen’s), then I will have success!” But the springboard for success here is not out of your flesh (your plan, or words spoken), but it is out of the Spirit and Heart of God working through you!
So let God work on your inner arrangement bringing light and truth and love to all your inward parts. Study then to show yourself approved… and then let the arrow of witnessing be released in the Lord’s timing with His strength and power propelling it to its destination.
Forget your face… forget your desire for a beautiful presentation… its about His plan, His purpose, and His power… working through you.
Then let the arrows of the Lord fly… and let every success or reaction (negative or positive), be released into His hands.
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