Luke 4:14-15 14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. And a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
The Holy Spirit never left Jesus throughout the temptations in the wilderness but was the steady force of the Father’s presence with him. Jesus had complete victory over the temptations the devil gave him. These temptations were real, with the possibility that Jesus could have sinned, but he did not because of his total trust in the Father’s promises in Scripture and presence through the Holy Spirit. He set the pattern for victory for all who would follow him. Every temptation is a test of whether to trust in God or follow the way of our ancestors Adam and Eve, who compromised their complete love for God and followed a false promise from the deceiver. Jesus passed each test at his weakest physical point of close to starvation as he fasted and prayed in preparation for his ministry.
With his victory of the deceit and trickery of the devil, Jesus returned to his home area of Galilee to launch his public ministry. Jesus’ Galilean ministry continues until 9:50. All of his ministry was characterized by the power of the Spirit. There was a perfect bond and harmony between Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus taught in local synagogues, which were meeting buildings developed after the Babylonian exile for those Jews who could not go to the temple in Jerusalem. The word means “assembly” or “gathering.” The following passage gives further insight into what Jesus did in the synagogues. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus’ teaching was powerful and attractive. Luke gives a summarizing statement that reports about Jesus spread. The type of response expected from those who hear him should be to glorify (doxazomenos) him. To glorify means to praise and recognize someone with honor. The crucial question always for those who hear (of) Jesus is, What will you do with the Man from Nazareth? Luke wrote his Gospel to guide readers into making the best and right decision.
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