“And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
Matthew 3:17, ESV
“You’re
not coming?”
My
face flushed red. “My son doesn’t want me there.”
My
eight-year-old son had invited a professional to speak to his classroom about
her career, but he didn’t want me hanging around for the presentation. When he
had politely informed me of his preference in the privacy of our home it made
sense—no one else had a parent tag along and my son didn’t want to stand out.
But that was before I had to tell two
school secretaries, a teacher, and the professional this.
While
I understood the need to fit in, my own insecurity was attempting to claw its
way to the surface. I didn’t want others to think my son didn’t like me. Or
that I was a bad mom. I knew the opposite was true, but I didn’t like having to
parade a slice of the story to others. What I most needed in those public
moments was to remind myself of what was true.
When
Jesus began His public ministry, He requested John the Baptist baptize Him.
When Jesus came up out of the water, God affirmed His identity by saying, “This
is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Of all the words
God could have spoken, He pinpointed the most important one—His relationship as
Father.
Throughout
Jesus’ life and ministry, some would call Him crazy, oppose His teachings, only
want food and miracles, or seek to kill Him. But as Jesus embarks on the
beginning of His public ministry, God communicated His deep love for Jesus as
His Son. God’s delight in Jesus was not contingent upon what He did or religious
leaders’ views about Him, but who He already was—God’s Son.
As
I drove back home, I reminded myself that my worth wasn’t based upon what
others thought of me. My value is eternally secure because of my relationship
with God (John 1:12); Jesus made a way for me to be adopted into His family. My
Father delights in me as His daughter whether or not my son wants me present in
his classroom or if others disagree with my parenting choices—and the same is
true for all who are saved by grace.
Knowing we are God’s beloved daughters will sustain us through the ups and downs life brings.
This devotional was first published at The Round Farmhouse.