THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:21-22
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)
When is the last time someone told you they loved you?
Or that they were very pleased with you?
When is the last time you said this to one of your children?
Or can you remember if your parents said this to you?
Why are we so hesitant to bless others with these words?
Is it any surprise that so many people feel unloved, or unworthy?
I’ve heard about people who spend much of their lives trying to get their parents approval.
Could it be that ever since Adam and Eve first sinned, we are all feeling this?
That the curse of failure and disappointment passes down through the generations.
That deep down, what drives us is our sense of shame, unworthiness, and our need for love?
Jesus does not just hear these words for His own benefit, but for ours (see John 12:27-30).
He is receiving the blessing of God on our behalf, as a human, as our representative.
Through Him, God is declaring His gracious blessing for us too.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3)
Though we are sinners, He sees us through Jesus’ eyes, as His much-loved children.
Can you believe it, can you receive it, can you live in the joy of it?
God says to you, “You are my Child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You deserved God’s blessing, I do not. Which only makes it more amazing that I am loved and accepted anyway. Thank You for removing my shame, and for restoring God’s blessing!!!
Observations/Application
The people AND Jesus was baptized reminds me that Jesus was man just like you and me. One among His own.
His life was filled with prayer. As I got up this morning, my prayer was very simple – Good morning Lord. Thank You for this new day.
And the Spirit was upon Him. Two in One and not Three since He was separated from the Father but
the Father was pleased for the Son was doing His will. The Father loved His Son even during this separation.
I am reminded of the passage
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth (3 John 1:4) That joy needs to be shared with the children. I am slow to praise, to compliment, to say well done. Today I am again reminded to give thanks not only to the Lord but also to those I am surrounded by – being a blessing to others also by the words I speak.
I hear the words of love,
I gaze upon the blood,
I see the mighty sacrifice,
And I have peace with God.
2
’Tis everlasting peace!
Sure as Jehovah’s Name,
’Tis stable as His steadfast throne,
For evermore the same.
3
The clouds may go and come,
And storms may sweep my sky;
This blood-sealed friendship changes not,
The Cross is ever nigh.
4
My love is ofttimes low,
My joy still ebbs and flows,
But peace with Him remains the same,
No change my Savior knows.
5
I change, He changes not;
The Christ can never die;
His love, not mine, the resting-place,
His truth, not mine, the tie.