“Jesus came up out of the water,…he saw the heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:10-11
This is occurring when Jesus gets baptized prior to beginning his earthly ministry. A voice from heaven is heard and the revelation of the Father’s love is revealed to those around him and, ultimately, to us.
The Father spoke and said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Father was sharing how he loved the Son deeply and was pleased with his life. And then I noticed something very important here-
The Father said this before Jesus even began his ministry. He said this before Jesus did a single teaching session. Before Jesus performed one miracle. Before Jesus finished the Father’s work on earth as a human being. He said this before all that- that He is pleased with Him.
I don’t know about you, but this flies in the face of everything I was taught as an Asian American son. I was taught and parented under the impression that my father would be pleased with me after I accomplished something, not before. But the heavenly Father is teaching me otherwise- he was pleased with me before I accomplish anything.
I am reminded that as God’s son serving Him, I am not working for the pleasure of God, but from the pleasure of God.
It is the pride of God in my life and in who I am that empowers me to do ministry. It is the revelation of God’s love for me that propels me to serve him wholeheartedly. It is His pleasure in my being His beloved Son that enables me to work and to serve with joy.
How I love what the Father had revealed to Jesus! For I am sure his voice concerns me:
“You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.”
