Overshadowed

Overshadowed

When we think about a shadow, we generally think of something dark and sinister just lurking outside our sight, and it fills us with fear. The idea or the link between shadows and fear is seen in the statement made where a person is afraid of their own shadow.

We see such fear when people talk about death, and it’s seen in the Bible about how people view death as “The valley of the shadow of death.” But the Bible says that those who make the Lord their shepherd, and who place their trust and faith in Him, they no longer need to be afraid of death’s shadow.

But there is another shadow I’d like to share with you, and it’s being overshadowed by God, because when we’re overshadowed by God, we don’t have to be afraid of death or any worldly shadow.

And I’m talking about being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, as Mary was overshadowed at the conception of Jesus.

“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on 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 NKJV)

And what I’d like to bring forth is that the same power that conceived Jesus, the Son of God, within the womb of Mary, that it is the overshadowing power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and it is the same power that works inside every believer in Jesus Christ.

In this passage we see that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Light of the World, the Creator God Himself was not conceived after the manner of men, but rather by the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit, whereby a virgin was able to conceive outside and beyond the laws of nature.

But it goes beyond that. Jesus was also empowered by the Holy Spirit throughout His life.

This overshadowing presence is seen in Jesus when He was a child. The Bible tells us that Jesus as a child grew and became strong; was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)

And when Jesus began His ministry, we see this same overshadowing presence.

After His baptism, where it says that the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, it says, “Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1 NKJV)

And again, here’s where I am going with all this. We see the same idea of overshadowing in what Jesus said to His disciples about being empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s Kingdom plans and purposes in their lives.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)

And so it was that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples on that Feast of Pentecost overshadowing, filling, and empowering them.

And so, the same overshadowing power and presence that conceived Jesus in the womb is the same overshadowing power and presence that’s available to all who believe.

Not only was the overshadowing presence of the Holy Spirit there to conceive and protect Jesus while in Mary’s womb and giving guidance while He walked the earth, is not just for back then, but is available to each and every one of us when we come to faith in Jesus Christ

And here’s the blessing as we prepare for Christmas. The overshadowing power and presence of the Holy Spirit is ours for the asking. It is a gift that the Father gives to His children when they ask for it.

Look at the promise.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 NKJV)

And so, ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. He’s already given to us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, when we came to faith in Him as our Savior and Lord, but He also desires to give to us the gift of the Holy Spirit as well.