THAT'S MY BOY! (Part I)

THAT’S MY BOY! (Part I)

Many years ago, my two sons were enrolled in the Pop Warner Football League.  At the risk of sounding like an overly proud father (which, admittedly, I am), it was sheer delight to attend their games and witness moments of excellence on the gridiron.  It is highly likely that I am somewhat lacking in objectivity, but I always considered Wayne II and Michael to be football prodigies.  So whenever one of them did anything that was remotely exceptional, whether a solid block, a robust tackle, or a spectacular touchdown, I sprang to my feet with unbridled enthusiasm and shouted, “THAT’S MY BOY!”

It occurs to me that GOD, THE FATHER, must have experienced similar feelings about GOD, THE SON.  After all, JESUS CHRIST accomplished extraordinary achievements in such a short span of years!  Because Jesus overcame every human temptation in a corrupt world system and lived a life of sinless perfection in perfect submission to The Father, it would have been no surprise (to me) for the gathered assembly in Heaven and Earth to hear a booming voice from Heaven declaring “THAT’S MY BOY!”

Will our imaginations allow for transport to the WATER BAPTISM of THE SON OF GOD in order to demonstrate my point?

At Jesus’ baptism, we are afforded concrete evidence of THE TRIUNE GODHEAD, also known as THE HOLY TRINITY.  JESUS CHRIST, The Anointed One, stood waist-deep in the murky waters of the Jordan River, about to be immersed in water by his cousin, John the Baptist.  As Jesus emerged from the water, THE HOLY SPIRIT descended from Heaven in the bodily shape of a dove to reveal that this particular Being is entirely unique and distinctive from any other who had traversed this mortal plain.  Indeed, He is VERY GOD and VERY MAN.  That is, He is just as much MAN as he is GOD, and He is just as much GOD as he is MAN. 

As a matter of fact, He is THE LOGOS, i.e. THE LIVING WORD that was WITH God and WAS God, and thereafter became flesh for our souls’ salvation. (John 1:1;14)  He is EMMANUEL, signifying the close intimacy and communion actualized in the gracious and merciful miracle of GOD WITH US.  The witnesses of this water/spiritual baptism in the Jordanian wilderness not only experienced THE SON OF GOD and THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, but they actually heard the voice of GOD, THE FATHER, speaking from above: “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON!”  In other words, ‘THAT’S MY BOY!’ (Matthew 3:1-17)  Wow!

The Father’s declaration is very significant and relevant for us as believers because of the fact that WE are “ACCEPTED (by The Father)…IN THE BELOVED (Son).” (Ephesians 1:6)  Although we are entirely deserving of death, which is the justifiable wage of sin, JESUS CHRIST, the ‘gift’ of God, becomes our ‘doorway’ to eternal life. (Romans 6:23 – John 3:16 – John 10:10)  And now, just as the Apostle Paul declares, “If any man be IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION; old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new!” (II Corinthians 5:17)

The Prophet Isaiah puts it this way, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:6-7)

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!