“And a voice from
heaven said,
“This is my Son, whom
I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
Do you mind if I go
backwards today?
No, I am not talking
about backsliding.
Rather, I am talking
about moving back from Matthew Chapter 4 which we have been looking at, to the
last verse of Chapter 3.
It is often noted
that the ‘public’ ministry of Jesus began after his baptism in the Jordan River
by his cousin, John the Baptist.
I point this out because
I want you to particularly note the timing of the Father’s comments concerning
His Son.
The Father loved the
Son long before the water was turned into wine.
He loved His Son
before a single blind eye or deaf ear was healed.
God loved His Son for
who He was and not what He did.
God loves you for who
you are and not what you do.
Jesus did not ‘earn’
the Father’s love through the miracles He performed.
You and I can never ‘earn’
the Father’s love through multiplied good works.
He loved us long
before we returned that love.
I don’t think it is
happenstance that this statement of the Father is made when it is made.
Sure, Jesus had lived
a sinless life and that includes His life up until this point but I take great
encouragement that God was showing us His love for His Son was not predicated
on what would take place over the next three years.
He loved His Son long
before Jesus hung on the cross and paid the ultimate price for our sins.
He loved you and me,
scripture reminds us, while we were yet sinners.
Not after we finished
100 hours of Community (or should I say ‘Kingdom’) service.
Sometimes, when we
can easily get caught up in ministry, it is important to remind ourselves of
that fact.
Good works should
flow out of a life surrendered to God.
But good works will
never be the reason God loves you and me.
He loved us long
before He knit us together in our mother’s womb.
How many good works
did you accomplish in there?
Silly question but
one worth considering when we think we can ‘earn’ His love.
Go ahead and remind
yourself today of the Fathers’ love!
No comments:
Post a Comment