Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

-Parallel verses:
Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3‬
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

When I read this passage in Isaiah, which amplifies John’s account of the anointing of God’s Spirit on Jesus Christ, it brings such a flood of emotion to my soul — JOY, EXTREME GRATEFULNESS, RELIEF, OVERPOWERING LOVE, and AN IDENTITY IN JESUS CHRIST. This is the spiritual home I come home to every morning — life with Jesus Christ! And why was Jesus anointed, what did the Spirit bring? 1) Am I poor in heart or spirit? He brings me heart-warming good news! I am no longer alone, rejected, cast off by this world. I am now his child. The child of the King! 2) Do I suffer from a broken heart? My mourning will be comforted. The God who created me has provided for this in the person of his Son, Jesus. 3) Am I physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually captive to sin or sinful people? Take heart! I have freedom for my soul in Jesus Christ and a relationship with him! 4) Is the darkness around my life palpable? The Light of the World, Jesus Christ, has come to dispel the darkness, to drive it back, and to deliver us from its power. Through his death on the cross, Jesus conquered death and broke its chains! And why did he come to do all this? What will replace this life of captivity to sin and darkness and hopelessness and despair? Jesus came not only to free us but “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Praise you Father, Praise you Son, Praise you Spirit, three in one. You have replaced what was dark and evil in my heart with your goodness. I gave you only the ashes left of my life, and you transformed them into beauty! Sin had put me in a perpetual state of mourning, and you brought me a lasting joy! And in place of words of despair, I now speak your words … I praise your name!