I don't know about you, but I like to enjoy my sons, especially if they are obedient good children like in the big book. Now these are rare moments, I mean obedient good children, because they are really true boys. They try their best, but it's always the brother who starts the naughtiness, and the other has to get involved. I love them very much, but it's a bit harder to be proud of them.
Mark 1:9-11
Before you continue reading, pause for a moment and immerse yourself in today's passage. Lay down all your burdens and let God speak to you.
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11 ESV
Jesus went to John and was baptized. Why is baptism important? Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins." Jesus had no sins, yet he set an example for us because it was God's will. By this act he showed that he identified with our sins. He obeyed the Father, what He asked of Him He did. Not only did he set an example in baptism, but also in obedience.
And what is the Father's reaction to Jesus' obedience? The Father testifies about Jesus. "You are my beloved Son, in you I delight." In today's language I think it is safe to say that the Father was proud of his Son.
The proud father
God responds to our obedience in the same way. The heavens may not open, and not everyone around us will hear it, but God will exalt the humble and obedient, and will bear witness to his children where needed. Yes, about his children, for you, too, if you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, the you are his child. And you are not only his child when you are obedient to the Father, you are always his child. "You are my beloved son”.
We have three sons, can you imagine them always being obedient? Well, very much not. We struggle with this a lot as parents, but no matter what our sons do, they will always be our children and we love them very much. Of course, I don't brag to the public about what they've just done wrong, but what they've done right. For example, I am now a very proud mother of our eldest son, who works as a paramedic and recently successfully resuscitated an elderly man at the scene of an accident. It is so good to share this with others.
God loves you too, whatever you do you do not cease to be his child. But obviously God will delight in you if you are obedient to him. And then He will also proudly "brag" about you when necessary, e.g., lifting you up in a humiliated worldly situation.
What a feeling to be able to say that you are a beloved son of God who delights in you. Live worthy of this, obey your loving Father.
Reflective questions
- Are you really a child of God? If not, find a Christian friend or pastor who can help you. Believe me, it is very good to be a child of God who is there with you in every situation, lifting you up, encouraging you, giving you strength, loving you, never leaving you, always being there for you, and the list could go on and on. Come to God! Be his child! He is waiting for you!
- As a child of God, you feel the privilege of being called by the Almighty Father who created the whole universe with His Word, this God who calls you His child. You are the child of the King of Kings. Be still for a moment, and let this thought fill your whole mind, YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
- Are you obedient to the Father? At the end of your day today, looking back on your day, can you say that God delights in you today, that He speaks proudly of you today? If your answer is yes, I am very happy for you, and although I don't know you, I am proud of you, and we will meet in heaven one day and talk about it. If the answer is no, don't despair, there are better days and there are worse days. God loves you and tomorrow is a new day. May God give you the strength to live your life under his guidance and obey him.
God wants to delight in you too ❤️.
Judit
Next week, practice obedience and see what God does in your life.
If you have a testimony or experience of this, please share it with us.
If you have any questions about today's passage, feel free to contact us.