This Is My Beloved Son
Good morning Immanuel! Let's stare at the glory of Jesus in the gospel and remember the amazing love He has for us.
And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:7-8)
One of the most spectacular scenes in Mark’s gospel happens at the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James, and John were led up on a high mountain to behold Jesus as he beamed with radiant glory. There, with Jesus, suddenly appeared Elijah with Moses—two highly respected Jewish figures representing the Law and the Prophets. These two were talking with Jesus (Luke 9:31 adds the detail that they were speaking with Jesus about His departure). Perplexed and overcome with fear, Peter suggests that they should mark the moment's significance by erecting three tents. Just then, a cloud overshadows them all, and a voice comes out of that cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Suddenly, there was no Moses or Elijah, but they only saw Jesus.
The Father made a statement that day about His Son. Jesus is the object of the Father’s love. He is “my beloved” Son. From eternity past, the Son has been the object of the Father’s affection, the very center of His joy. This ancient love is far beyond our comprehension, and yet this love is what the Word made flesh embodies. Of the Son, the Father says, “Hear him.” His message to a dying world is, “peace through my Son!” Jesus is God’s message to the world, for long ago, God spoke to the fathers through the prophets (think Elijah and Moses), but in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). The glory of Jesus is that He so fully and perfectly communicates God’s heart to redeem us. His glory is that He came down from His place at the Father’s right hand and humbled Himself to the point of death so that we might be caught up in the joy of knowing Him.
Today, by faith in the gospel word, we participate in the same amazing reality of beholding the glory of Jesus. As we receive the message of Christ crucified for us, we see the glory of Jesus, and that glory changes us. In a little while, we will see His glory face to face, and every doubt, fear, and impurity in our hearts will be banished forever. Until then, let us continue to stare into the glory of Jesus by faith in the gospel!