Sometimes the most profound messages are cocooned in the most simplistic statements. An outstanding example is found in Acts 10:38 when Luke writes: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus’ entire ministry is summed up in five words. The only amplification is a general characterization of “healing those who were under the power of the devil.” The dictionary definition of “good” is morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, and pious. Just absorb the power and potency of that small but mighty word. And every nuance of the Lord’s temporal life depicted this very thing. Every fragment of spoken communication, every miracle He performed, every action He took was housed under the umbrella of and encompassed by good. There were no ulterior motives, no selfishness, no malice, no corruptness. Just good.
Acts 10:38 Meaning
Our Lord’s priority was always, without exception, the deprived, the impoverished. As we would say in our popular vernacular, the marginalized. He was never impatient with the throbbing masses who relentlessly pressed against Him. He consistently showed compassion and love.
Jesus’ singular goal was to elevate the reality of their world and the human condition in which these bewildered souls existed. That was accomplished as He healed a myriad of maladies. But more importantly, without deviation, He took advantage of every opportunity to make application that acquainted them with His purpose, His mission, and His relationship to God. The theme of His teachings was that the Heavenly should have preeminence in their lives as opposed to the earthly.
The first and latter part of this verse in Acts 10 provides interesting insights as to the source that enabled this goodness. It begins with: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” Then ends by saying: “for God was with him.”
But even the divine Son of God deemed it necessary to stay in touch with His Heavenly roots to ensure that God was with Him. We have recorded for us by the authors of the four Gospels frequent and numerous occasions of prayer—conversations between Father and Son. So the conclusion to be drawn is that God was with Him, equipping Him for doing good, because Christ petitioned His presence and participation as well as continued assistance from the Holy Spirit.
See 1 Peter 2:21: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” That pretty much sums it all up.
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