What Is My Response?
I finished helping my child today wondering how "Home Instruction" went for all of your families?
For us, there were moments of delight: discovering Jesus’ power in Mark, reading about God’s creation in science, and comparing the main character in literature to the likeness of Christ.
And…there were moments of struggle: “Mom, this is so hard, this is taking so long.” Moments of struggle for me too… (BTW, Why does my phone’s scanning notes screen not look like the one in the instructions??...I eventually figured it out…)
These verses stuck out to me this morning from the Bible reading:
Lorenzo Scott, Baptism of Jesus, 1987, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Bert Hunecke, 1994.52
Mark 1:11
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” At Jesus’ baptism, the words of the Father are clear: He loves his Son and is well pleased—there is delight and joy for one another within the triune God...
I am left wondering....Was this statement from God the Father for the sake of Jesus? Or for the sake of those around him? Because it's directed to Jesus with the pronoun "you", I think, wow, maybe at His most gut-wrenching hour, (as the Son of MAN, wrestling against Satan) Jesus would hold tight to these truths...his purpose, and His Father's pleasure....
And then, another Scripture (Matthew 17:1-13) came to mind, the story of Jesus transfigured before Peter, James, and John….but this time, a voice that delivers similar wording, but maybe for the sake of the listeners?!
Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and his clothes white as light. Peter, upon seeing the transfigured Christ, immediately starts planning! (I can usually relate to Peter!) Again, God’s Fatherly voice declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Upon hearing these words, the disciples could only fall on their faces with a holy fear at the revelation of the DIVINE NATURE of their JESUS.
And so, I am convicted, and encouraged, that JESUS IS THE BELOVED SON OF GOD (WORTHY TO BE LISTENED TO) and that my response can just be to take pleasure in Him and worship Him….I don’t have to do something, complete a checklist, or feel good about what I have (or haven’t) accomplished today. Not all days will be as good as this one (especially when it comes to Home Instruction), but ALL DAYS will be ruled by the Beloved Son of God.
I'm hoping as a group, we can encourage one another in these days--with our successes, our struggles, but most importantly with our faith in the Lord Almighty.
Ambleside Parent