PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 1:9-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
As a follower of Jesus, this is something that God says to me too.
“To those who believed he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
The Spirit of Jesus assures us we are God’s much loved children (Romans 8:16).
This is not because I am so great, but because Jesus is so great.
Jesus becomes a son of Adam to reclaim Adam’s position as God’s child (Luke 3:38).
Satan attacks Jesus, like he did Adam (and all humanity), but this time Satan loses.
For the first time in history, a son of Adam behaves like a true son of God.
Now finally, the kingdom God spoke of in Genesis 1:26-28 is fulfilled.
Through Jesus, a God-like human is once again in charge, and Satan has lost.
By trusting in Jesus, the son that pleases God, we share in this new reality.
Satan is beaten, Jesus is in charge, and we rule with Him as His family.
Satan can’t beat us because he can’t beat Jesus!
God sees us with Jesus, our sin is washed away and His righteousness is ours.
God says to me, ‘you are my child whom I love, with you I am well pleased!’
PRAYER
Lord, I love You because You first loved me. Thank You for beating sin and Satan for me, and restoring me to be God’s child.
I tried learning how to swim by jumping of a diving board into deep water – it didn’t work – I panicked – my cousin rescued me. Seems to me the Spirit had Jesus jump right in – from the moment he received John’s baptism – and the presence of the Father’s voice and the dove of the spirit – affirmed him – then he was taken away. Did Satan have a ‘deal’ with God that he would have this time alone with Jesus. Symbolically did the 40 days in the wilderness have a connection with the 40 days of rain that Noah experienced or the 40 years in the desert for the wilderness – all periods of being isolated – for what purpose? It was a test for Jesus and Satan tried hard. Maybe our 40 days are here as well – testing us as we are isolated as well. I need to remember where my strength comes from – connecting with Jesus.
Immanuel – God with us.
The gift of the Spirit gives new life to do His will. The heavens were torn open and the Spirit empowered Jesus to do the Father’s will. And I must do the same . I too am Spirit Driven to do the Father’s will. He enables His followers to be His instruments of love and joy that others may see Christ Jesus living in us.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.