Bridging the Gap

Perhaps you, like me, have never heard an audible voice from God. But if you could, what would you want him to say?

Would you hope for him to offer an explanation? (“Your loved one died because . . .”) Or would you desire an answer to a burning prayer? (“Yes, that is the one.”) Would you prefer direction or guidance? (“My child, invest thou in soybeans.”) Or insight into the future? (“The pain will go away August 23 at the stroke of noon.”) If your ears were going to hear God’s voice only once, what words would you long for him to speak?

Jesus and John could certainly have benefited from all of the above. But evidently there was something they both needed to hear more than explanations of the past or foretelling of the future:

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

From the open heavens, Jesus and John heard an audible sound—the living voice of God. Though other writers use this word to speak of rumblings of thunder and the roar of many waters, Matthew’s usage does not indicate whether God’s voice sounded that day with great volume or in hushed tones. But considering the river and the crowds and the distance, we can safely assume that God was not whispering. Surely his voice that day was deep, full, and forceful like an ocean—resonating throughout their whole beings.

Father God’s pronouncement contained three essential elements. First, he acknowledged Jesus as his Son.

Odds are that we are culturally immune to the startling claim carried in these words. “Son of God” was clearly a messianic image for the devout of Jesus’ day. Additionally, in Jesus’ culture, to boldly identify yourself as God’s Son was to make yourself equal with God. So if there is only one God and you claim to be his equal, then you are actually claiming to be him!

(...continued in part two...) 

From anonymous: Jesus' hidden years... and yours
© Alicia Britt Chole

• Series 1