Silent Partner

In business, a “silent partner” is one “whose involvement in a partnership is limited to providing capital to the business,” according to “Investopedia.” Though a silent partner may also be consulted for guidance, provide business contacts, and possibly offer mediation in disputes between other partners.

It’s not a perfect analogy, but with our text this Sunday from Luke 4:14-21, I suggest that Jesus’ synagogue reading from Isaiah 61 points to the Holy Spirit as the “silent partner” in His upcoming ministry.

The Spirit’s capital investment in Jesus here in verse 18 (verse 1 of Isaiah 61) is “anointing.” The witness of the early Christians was that Jesus was a man anointed by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 10:38). That anointing showed itself in His miracles and in His teaching. Here in Luke 4, quoting from Isaiah, the focus is on the Spirit’s anointing for proclamation of good news to the poor, captive, disabled and oppressed.

Elsewhere we learn more about the Holy Spirit, that His business is to constantly point us toward Jesus and the Father. His silent partner role produces “contacts” in the form of believers for the firm of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We also know that this anointing of Jesus by His “silent partner” is the root of the title given Him so often and consistently that we often imagine it is another name for our Lord. But “Christ,” derived from the Greek word for “anoint,” is actually a title, “The Anointed One.”

Thus while the Spirit may often seem a silent partner, even for Jesus, His role in the ministry of the Gospel and in our salvation is huge. We would do well to do as Jesus did, to openly acknowledge and frequently consult the Spirit for guidance and to rely on the gifts that He has invested in us.