The Perfect Graduation/Commencement Gift
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking at our local homeschool graduation. As I prayed and prepared for my address, I thought of the graduation and commencement of Jesus. He had spent thirty years preparing for His life work. He had made His way to the Jordan river where he was baptized by His cousin John.
This was a momentous occasion. God the Father wanted to give the perfect graduation present to celebrate the end of the time of preparation for the unique task which only He could fulfill.
He also wanted to give Him a powerful encouragement and life giving benediction which would affirm and empower Him for His earthly mission.
As Jesus emerged from the water, the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove. Then His proud Dad uttered incredible words of affirmation and blessing.
In one sentence; the all-wise, all-knowing, all-loving Dad, blessed and inspired His Son. He declared clearly and powerfully for all the world, and especially His boy, to hear: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3:17 NLT)
Beaming Dad
This is the proudest of Dads. His chest swells with pride. He looks around at the host of heaven and the people gathered at the Jordan. With sparkling eyes. (Perhaps tears of joy?) He declares:“That’s my boy! Attaboy Son!!” There is nothing but love, admiration, and delight.
Jesus was subsequently tempted of the devil, ostracized by the religious community, misunderstood by His family, and eventually crucified.
That one sentence continued to resonate and sustain Jesus through all of these deep times of suffering. Everyone else may forsake Him, but Jesus knew in the very core of His being that He belonged, that He was beloved, and that He was a delight to His Dad.
Loving Son
Then Jesus, who had been loved so well by His Father, beams on us and loves us, exactly as He had been loved by His Dad. The night before He was to be crucified, knowing that we too would face our own dark valleys, encouraged and blessed each of us. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” (John 15:9)
Jesus, knowing that we are universally designed with these needs to belong, to be loved, and to be a delight, blesses us as His Father had blessed Him. These powerful and deeply meaningful words are expressions of love and affection that every child needs to hear from their Dad.
When we turn to the Lord, repent of our sin, and trust in Jesus to save us, we are adopted into the family of God. He takes our sins upon Himself and clothes us with His righteous garments so we are pleasing in His eyes.
When the Spirit of God helps us being to assimilate this divine affection, we are equipped and empowered for our own life work. God knows what we need. Those words which He graciously and powerfully uttered at His Sons graduation and commencement are for each of us was we embrace His Son.
We belong. We are beloved. We are a delight. Because of Jesus. The more I abide in His love, and marinate in these anointed words of affirmation, the greater my capacity to love God with everything in me, and love my wife and children as God has loved me.
God oozes with love and kindness. He smiles when we come into His presence. He welcomes us as He welcomes Jesus. I know that our loving Father will answer the following benediction. My prayer is that we will be able to wrap our mind around it and receive His blessing and protection, His favor and His peace, His grace and His smile.
“May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)
Steve
The World Doesn’t Know What To Do With Suffering – An Interview With Joni Eareckson Tada {Podcast}
If you listen to podcasts, the last one I posted was June 14. It was a half hour interview with Joni Eareckson Tada.
Listen to the podcast.
Stewardship
The Revised Stewardship Curriculum is available. To learn more about it and watch a short video explaining it, click here.
PS More Assurance of God’s unchanging love for His adopted children
Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:39)
He never changes. (Malachi 3:6)
God. Is. Love. (1 John 4:19)