God’s Beloved

The Baptism of the Christ with Dove by Daniel Bonnell.

What gives God great joy? How does God see his children?

God loves each of us deeply. It brings God great joy when he sees his children walking in obedience. God sees us as his beloved, without us meriting anything.

Matthew’s Gospel tells us “When Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”(Matthew 3:16-17, ESV).

When Jesus was obedient to God to be baptized, the heavens were opened, God’s Spirit descended upon him, and God expressed his great joy in his beloved son Jesus and was deeply pleased.

Before Jesus’ ministry, before accomplishing much of anything, God saw Jesus as his beloved son and affirmed that he was pleased with him.

As God’s beloved children, may we be obedient to him, coming to him through the waters of baptism, and receive the Holy Spirit of God.

A Collect for the First Sunday of Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord: “Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove: Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

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The Baptism of the Christ with Dove by Daniel Bonnell.