Voice from heaven 18/01/2022

[Photo by Sam Schooler on Unsplash.]

I believe that everything happens at God's perfect timing. Jesus is about to begin His public ministry - he will be fully committed to active service for the Father for the next three years. He will heal many people from a variety of diseases and illnesses. He will dispel evil spirits and he will even raise the dead to life. He will perform many miracles and teach many sermons. This public service begins with a very public baptism and John Baptist, the humble messenger, has this great honour. Jesus did not need to be baptised but this was a public statement that he was giving approval to this sacrament of baptism.

When Jesus emerges from the River Jordan, there are two things happen. Firstly, the Holy Spirit comes to take residence in his human body in readiness for this public service. Secondly, the Father makes a public declaration of approval of the Son from heaven. So the Trinity is fully in agreement with Jesus service - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are working in harmony. Their different roles are perfectly blended.

It is a great comfort to know that the person of Jesus Christ and His work are completely endorsed by God the Father. Jesus has come to serve and to give His life as a perfect Sacrifice on the cross. How reassuring to have on record this statement of approval from the Father. John Baptist did not have this stamp of authority. Neither did any of the Old Testament prophets or patriarchs from Abraham right through to the last prophet. But Jesus is unique - a word that has become devalued with overuse. He is the only one who is truly unique - there is no one like Him. He is incomparable.

Here is how the anonymous writer of the letter to the Hebrews describes Jesus Christ.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. [Hebrews 1:1‭-‬4 NIV]

There are deep truths contained in these verses. The Son is the radiance of God's glory. God's glory would be veiled and hidden from view - the Son radiated that glory. Even though most of those who met Jesus failed to appreciate who He is and failed to see His glory, John, the writer of the fourth Gospel and one of the disciples, says this

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [John 1:14 NIV]

The passage in Mark's Gospel states clearly that there was a voice from heaven bearing testimony to the fact that Jesus is the only Son of the Father and that He brought pleasure to the Father in everything He did. Jesus was aged 30 and he had lived in the town of Nazareth which had a dubious reputation. But there was nothing tainted in the character of the Son of God. There was no sin and no defilement. He was perfect in every way.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” [Mark 1:11 NIV]

There was another occasion when the Father made a similar announcement - on the mount of transfiguration but this was made to the three disciples present. However, on this occasion there was a significant addition - "Listen to Him!" [Matthew 17:5 NIV] In the context, the three disciples were putting Jesus on a par with two great Old Testament characters, Moses and Elijah. These were both faithful men of God but they were both sinners and their failings are recorded in the Scriptures. Not so with our Lord. He is the sinless Son of God and He is worth listening to. We must not let anyone distract us from Him - no matter how good they are.