You Are My Beloved Son

When our Lord was baptized in the River Jordan by His cousin John, we are told that the Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove and a voice spoke from Heaven saying, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Lk. 3:22). 

By baptism, the Father was claiming Jesus as His own covenant child, publicly declaring His eternal pleasure, delight, and joy in Him. 

And so it is with every Christian baptism.

When we are baptized, we are baptized into Christ. We are made sons of God, and clothed in Christ’s righteousness. This means that when the Father looks upon us, His people, He sees not our sin or our shame—but His beloved Son.

Therefore in this baptism now, before little Oliver is able to do anything much at all, God is openly declaring—both on earth before all people and in heaven among the heavenly host—His unrelenting, covenantal love for him, the same exact love that He has for His only-begotten Son. 

So as you witness God receive this covenant child into His kingdom, let this be a reminder to you all that the Lord is continually speaking these same words over you. 

He is saying, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Amen.