My Beloved Son

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! 

Matthew 17:5 

God the Father publicly claims Christ as His Son. This occurred on more than one occasion. Matthew refers to it in the third chapter of his gospel, when he depicts the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He says, ‘When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ In our text, we have another record of God the Father speaking from heaven in such a manner that men heard Him. He owns Christ as His Son. This adds to the other information we have about Christ. At His birth, the angels announced Him. The wise men sought Him. During His childhood, He proclaimed God as His Father. The works which He did, were the works of His Father. The Gospel of John sets Him forth as the Son of God. His enemies understood what He was saying about His relationship with God the Father, and were incensed enough to attempt to kill Him. Is Christ then, the Son of God? According to all we have considered thus far, He is. Where does that leave us? It leaves us to accept or reject Him and His claims. We will be with Him or against Him. God the Father owned Him. Will we receive His testimony? 

Our Great and Gracious God, 
we rejoice in You and in Christ, Your Beloved Son. 
We praise You that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, 
and ours forever. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning