"And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." -Mark 1:11
The voice from heaven which was heard at our Lord’s baptism.
We read, ‘there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.
That voice was the voice of God the Father. It declared the wondrous and ineffable love which has existed between the Father and the Son from all eternity. ‘The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand’ (John 3:35). It proclaimed the Father’s full and complete approbation of Christ’s mission to seek and save the lost. It announced the Father’s acceptance of the Son as the Mediator, Substitute and Surety of the new covenant.
There is a rich mine of comfort in these words, for all Christ’s believing members. In themselves, and in their own doings, they see nothing to please God. They are daily sensible of weakness, shortcoming and imperfection in all their ways. But let them recollect that the Father regards them as members of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. He sees no spot in them (Cant. 4:7).
He beholds them as ‘in Christ’, clothed in His righteousness, and invested with His merit. They are ‘accepted in the Beloved’, and when the holy eye of God looks at them, He is ‘well pleased’.
That voice was the voice of God the Father. It declared the wondrous and ineffable love which has existed between the Father and the Son from all eternity. ‘The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand’ (John 3:35). It proclaimed the Father’s full and complete approbation of Christ’s mission to seek and save the lost. It announced the Father’s acceptance of the Son as Mediator, Substitute and Surety of the new covenant.
J. C. Ryle (1816 - 1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool. He was one of the most authoritative churchmen of his time and his writings have been in constant demand throughout the last hundred years. His popularity was due to his clear and simple style, his longevity due to his being a profound thinker and compassionate pastor.
Where to Buy:
Day By Day With J.C. Ryle: A New Daily Devotional of Ryle’s Writings by J.C. Ryle is available at any good Christian bookstore. If you don’t have a Christian bookstore near you, you may want to consider purchasing a copy from one of the online book retailers listed below:
