This is My Beloved Son

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16–17 KJV)

God's adoption showing a father receiving a child running to him

An astonishing miracle occurred during the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. As Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened, and two things happened. First, the Spirit descended like a dove upon Him. Second, the Father spoke from heaven with an audible voice and said, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Notice the Father was talking primarily to the people, but also re-affirming the identity of Jesus publicly.

The Father repeatedly affirmed the identity of Jesus with the words “this is My Beloved Son” on the mount of transfiguration. When Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4, he targeted this identity in two of his three temptations( 66.7% of his temptations!) with the words “if You are the Son of God”. It tells us the importance of the conviction of our identity, who we are.

It was not what Jesus was, which was at state here. It was what He knew and believed about who He was. It is the same with you. Your identity is critical. However, it is not the identity per se but your conviction about that identity. The Father is saying the same words to you today “You are my son or daughter.” What do you say of yourself?

MEDITATE

Why was it important for Jesus to be sure about who He was? Why is it essential for you to also be sure about who you are? I want you to meditate on the words “this is my beloved son” knowing they apply to you.

APPLY THE WORD

Your greatest identity in the world is that you are a child of God. We must not lose the profound spiritual implications of the words “child of God” because of familiarity. Be grounded in your identity and let it define everything about you.