The Beloved Son

I find Mark's abbreviated version of the baptism and temptation of Christ fascinating. He writes with such economy, but has so much to say. In Mark 1:9-13, we see God's favor resting on Jesus. In fact, Mark allows us to see the Trinity in communion as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit appear together following baptism of Christ. We see the love the Trinity shares as we look at this brief passage. We see the Son entering the water to please his Father, the Spirit descending on the Son to empower him for his mission, and the Father proclaiming his love to the Son.

In the Father's statement, we see his approval of the Son. Jesus is the "Beloved" Son. The Father is "well pleased" with him. We are told that Jesus witnesses the rending of the heavens as the Father came to confirm his sonship. Jesus was given the tools to succeed in the face of his upcoming temptation. His sonship would by questioned by Satan, but not by the Father. No, the Father was pleased with his Son.

Although Jesus was tested in the wilderness, he did not succumb. He remained faithful to his Father, just as his Father knew he would. In spite of the dangers he faced, he would not entrust himself to another. Jesus lived only to do the Father's will. His faithfulness was reward by a time of refreshing through the care of angels.

In Jesus, we stand before the Father as children who please him. As his children, he strengthens us against the temptations we face. But even when we fall to temptation, Christ's obedience never falters. He holds us in his perfection. He is the sole source of our righteousness. We should hear the Father's praise of Jesus, and we should rejoice. The Father's has never been (nor will never be) displeased with the Son.