The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 3:17,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew, chapter 3, contains several authenticating affirmations to the truthful nature of Jesus Christ: he was and is the Son of God.
First, Isaiah, seven centuries earlier, prophesied a forerunner to the coming of the Lord, John the Baptist, Isaiah 40:3.
This forerunner proclaimed the Lord was en route. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." John recognizes who Jesus is when he comes to him and says, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Verse 14.
However, the grand authentication of Jesus' real identity was provided by God himself. When Jesus was baptized by John, we are told "heaven was opened" (what an incredible thing!). The Holy Spirit descended upon him "like a dove" and alighted on him. Then, the voice from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Verse 17.
There are a lot of folks who are mystified about Jesus Christ, who he was/is and for what purpose he came and lived among us. None of them need go any further than Matthew 3 to have all their questions answered.
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew, chapter 3, contains several authenticating affirmations to the truthful nature of Jesus Christ: he was and is the Son of God.
First, Isaiah, seven centuries earlier, prophesied a forerunner to the coming of the Lord, John the Baptist, Isaiah 40:3.
This forerunner proclaimed the Lord was en route. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." John recognizes who Jesus is when he comes to him and says, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Verse 14.
However, the grand authentication of Jesus' real identity was provided by God himself. When Jesus was baptized by John, we are told "heaven was opened" (what an incredible thing!). The Holy Spirit descended upon him "like a dove" and alighted on him. Then, the voice from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Verse 17.
There are a lot of folks who are mystified about Jesus Christ, who he was/is and for what purpose he came and lived among us. None of them need go any further than Matthew 3 to have all their questions answered.
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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