Day #83 - Beloved Son
The Presence - A Devotional for Living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:16-17 NIV
What’s the most powerful blessing you have ever received?
In my life, the most powerful blessings I have received were the times my Dad wrote me a letter as a young man telling me how he felt about me and what he saw over my life as well as on my wedding day. When Grace and I were married, both of our parents prayed a blessing over us as our lives became one at our wedding. I will never forget the power of these blessings in my life.
When Jesus was baptized, we already saw in yesterday’s reading, that heaven was open as he prayed. In Matthew’s account of the baptism of Christ, John the Baptist was about resist the invitation from Jesus to baptize him. But Jesus told him this “is to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).” John quickly understood what was happening. Jesus was being baptized in complete obedience and in the fulfillment of the law of God. Jesus did this as an example and as our representative to bring us into right relationship (or right standing) with God.
As Jesus was baptized we see the triune nature of God displayed in the likeness of the Holy Spirit appearing on him as well as the Father’s blessing. There we see the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon him at his baptism in the form like a dove and alighting upon him. What was this? He was blessed with the presence of God as he received the Holy Spirit
The further blessing besides the presence of God was the voice of the Father affirming his Son. Before Jesus did any miracles or had any public ministry, Jesus is affirmed as the Son who is loved and in whom the Father is well pleased. He is blessed as the beloved Son of God.
Coming into the presence involves surrender and obedience as we follow the example of Jesus. But its more than our own obedience. You see, through faith in Jesus we enter into his obedience and we can now experience the presence of God and the love of the Father.
Jesus is called the beloved Son, so that we might become beloved sons. To be in “the Presence” is to be in the place of surrender to Christ, to be filled with the Spirit and to hear the Father’s voice about how much he loves us.
Father God, thank for the gift of Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. The reality and picture of your baptism Lord Jesus moves me to wonder. Your submission to baptism and the blessing of the Father’s voice cause thanksgiving and worship to pour out from my heart. Thank you for sharing the Holy Spirit with me that I might live in your presence and know that I am your beloved son. In Jesus name, amen.
Even as I read this, I feel His Presence all around me and in me. Thank you Lord that your love for us is so deep that you will never leave us. I depend on that promise every day. Oh how I love you! 🙏🏻♥️
Amen! So awe inspiring to know that God calls me His child. I am brought to tears whenever I contemplate this. To be able to dwell in His presence is one of the greatest blessings. 🙌🙌🔥🙏