"We Are Very Happy!" (Matthew 3:16-17)

My nephew, my sister’s son, is a very talented mechanic. He grew up watching and working alongside his father, also a mechanic, who owns a very successful auto repair shop in Hawaii. It was always expected that he would become a mechanic, but he has more than exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Many friends, upon learning of my nephew’s great talent and ambition, were elated and told my sister and her husband. “You must be so happy that your son is following in his father’s footsteps. Now you can pass on the business to him and he will take care of it!”

My sister and her husband are always beaming. “Yes, we are very happy!”

The family business remains in the family. A father passes along all his wisdom and experience to his own son. A son seeks to please his father by learning from him and taking care of his loyal customers. Any family would be very proud.

And 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)

God, the Father, declared how pleased He was with His Son, Jesus Christ, living a life of obedience in faith by being baptized. With this action, Jesus identified with all believers who place their trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. He also showed His obedience to follow the teachings of His Father. Jesus did on earth, what was done in Heaven. He always sought to do the things that pleased His Father. And He did this to take care of God’s creation-us.

We have our earthly family. But if you are believer in Jesus Christ, you also belong to the family of God and are a co-heir and adopted son or daughter of God. God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins and be resurrected, to conquer death and give all believers eternal salvation, to all those who place their trust and faith in Him.

Like my sister and her husband's joy in seeing their son follow in his father’s footsteps, God is pleased when we follow in His Son’s Jesus’ footsteps and do the same things that He did when He was on this earth. What greater joy can we have than to hear God the Father say that He is proud of us?

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.