And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Mat 3:17b
“This Is My Beloved Son, With Whom I Am Well Pleased”
Scripture: Matthew 3:17
There are moments in Scripture when heaven speaks clearly—moments that shape how we understand God’s heart. At the baptism of Jesus Christ, before miracles were performed or crowds gathered, the Father’s voice broke through the silence:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
This declaration did not come after Jesus healed the sick or taught the multitudes. It came before His public ministry began. God’s pleasure was rooted not in achievement, but in relationship.
Loved Before Anything Is Done
Jesus had not yet walked the road to the cross, yet He was already fully loved and fully affirmed. This reminds us that God’s love is not earned—it is given. We strive so often to prove ourselves, even before God, yet the gospel whispers a different truth: belonging comes before doing.
Identity Anchored in the Father
The Father’s words establish Jesus’ identity: beloved Son. This identity would carry Him through temptation, rejection, suffering, and sacrifice. In the same way, when we know who we are in God, we are not shaken by the voices of doubt or fear. We live from acceptance, not for it.
God’s Pleasure in Obedient Trust
The Father was pleased not because of outward success, but because of Jesus’ humble obedience and trust. A heart yielded to God delights Him. Faithfulness in the quiet, unseen places matters deeply to heaven.
A Word for You Today
If you belong to Christ, this truth reaches you as well. Through Him, you are welcomed, loved, and accepted. Even on days when you feel weak or unsure, God’s grace remains steady. You are not invisible to Him. His delight is not distant.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for revealing Your heart of love. Help me to rest in who I am in You, not in what I do. Teach me to walk in humble trust, knowing that through Christ I am loved and accepted. May Your pleasure shape my life today. Amen.
This is My Son—
beloved beyond measure,
the joy of My heart before time began.
In Him, love found its voice,
truth took on breath,
and grace walked gently among the dust of men.
I delight in His obedience,
rest in His surrender,
and rejoice in the beauty of His will.
Hear Him when He speaks hope,
see Me when He shows mercy,
know My heart when He gives His life.
This is My Son—
chosen, cherished, sent—
and in Him,
My pleasure rests forever.