Beloved of God

Matthew 3:13–17 NKJV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Beloved of God

There are many key events in life that mold us into the people we are today—milestones that show us where we've come from and what matters most. I've experienced a lot of these times in my life.

I think back to when I was baptized at around 12 or 13 years old. It was a moment I didn’t fully understand at the time, but looking back, it was a powerful declaration of my faith in Jesus. At 16, I completed training to be a Summer Missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship and spent two summers sharing the Gospel—what a defining time that was!

Graduating from high school was a big step, followed not long after by taking the oath of enlistment at 19 and stepping into a life of service in the Air Force. At 20, I married the love of my life, and by 23, I was blessed to become a father twice over. Becoming a father—and later, a foster father—has been one of the most humbling and shaping experiences of my life.

At 40, I retired from the Air Force, marking the end of one chapter, and at 42, I was ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, stepping fully into the calling God placed on my life. I've experienced a whole new level of joy since becoming a grandfather, and I've gained several degrees by the age of 61, which is evidence that learning never ends!

Even though all of these events have influenced who I am, my baptism as a teenager stands out. Even as a young teenager, the experience helped me understand more about who I was in the eyes of God and the world.

These kinds of milestones serve as a reminder of our past and identity. One of the most important turning points in Jesus' life will be examined today: His baptism.

Milestones like these remind us of where we’ve been and who we are. Today, we’re going to look at one of the most significant milestones in Jesus’ life: His baptism.

In that moment, as He stepped into the waters, the heavens opened, and the voice of God declared, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ It wasn’t just a ritual—it was an affirmation of His identity and the beginning of His mission.

The amazing thing is that Jesus' baptism is about us as well as Him. It serves as a reminder that we are God's beloved children, just as Jesus was proclaimed to be God's beloved Son.

Consider the significant events in your own life. What experiences have shaped who you are? Perhaps a relationship, a significant achievement, or perhaps a problem put you to the test.

The most significant truth about you is not connected to your actions, yet those moments do matter. The fact that you are God's beloved child is the most significant truth.

The Baptism of Jesus: Identity and Mission

I want to encourage you to consider your own connection with God as we explore the account of Jesus' baptism today. What does being His beloved mean to you? How does that affect the way you view yourself, your life, and your purpose in it?

Imagine that day when John the Baptist is urging people to repentance while standing waist-deep in the Jordan River. They enter the river one by one to repent of their sins and receive baptism as a symbol of their return to God. Then Jesus emerges from the crowd. John recognizes Him right away. This isn't just any person, though; this is the Messiah, the one he has been preparing people for. John naturally pauses, asking, "You are coming to me, and I need to be baptized by You?" Do you hear the confusion in his voice? "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness," Jesus insists. In other words, Jesus has no sins to repent of, so He is not doing this because He needs forgiveness. He is doing this in order to completely align himself with the plan of God and to identify with us as fellow humans. It's a powerful display of humility that demonstrates that He is not distant from us but is completely here. Look at the significant events that follow.

Something remarkable occurs as Jesus comes from the water: the heavens open. Do you have any idea how that must have appeared? God's presence is made visible when the barrier separating heaven and earth is briefly lifted. It serves as a reminder that this is a holy moment rather than merely a symbolic one. God is revealing to the world that He is doing something new and transformational. Then, like a dove, the Spirit of God lands on Jesus. The dove is frequently used in Scripture to signify purity and peace, but in this context, it also represents God's anointing. This is an empowering moment. Jesus is being equipped by the Spirit for His upcoming mission, which includes teaching, healing, preaching, and ultimately offering His life for us. And think about this: the Spirit that resides inside us now is the same Spirit that fell upon Jesus. That's what God gives His people in terms of power and peace. A voice from heaven finally says, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Can you picture those words being said over you? God is publicly affirming Jesus' identity in this way. He is the Son of God, not only a gifted teacher or prophet. And His public ministry began at this very moment. From this moment on, everything Jesus does—healing the sick, opposing the religious establishment, and announcing the Kingdom of God—is based on the fact that He is the Father's lbeloved Son. Jesus' baptism is far more than just a ritual. It is a pivotal event that makes His identity and purpose clear. It demonstrates to us both His humanity—He voluntarily identifies with us in our need—and His divinity—He is God's Son. Consider the humility required for the sinless Son of God to declare, "I'm with you," as he stands shoulder to shoulder with sinners in the waters of baptism. It serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus did not come to stay distant from us. He came to meet us where we were and to provide a way to reconciliation with God. The amazing thing is that we are offered the same identity and mission that was declared over Jesus. We are declared to be God's beloved children when we enter the waters of baptism or when we place our faith in Him. So let's consider this point in Jesus' life and ask ourselves: Do I truly believe I am God's beloved? What impact does that reality have on my life and self-perception? Jesus' baptism serves as a reminder of who and whose we are, not just a moment for Him.

Our Identity as God’s Beloved

What Does It Mean to Be Beloved? Think about the word "beloved" for a moment. We don't hear that word very often outside of poetry or weddings. Beloved is a very personal word. It's a term that has a lot of worth, affection, and intention. Being adored entails being valued, chosen and cherished in addition to simply being loved. Consider it this way: "Beloved" is the type of love that identifies you, the kind that says, "You are important to me, not because of what you have done, but just because of who you are." When God refers to Jesus as "my beloved Son," He is making a strong statement about Jesus' identity and value in addition to His love. What's really amazing, though, is that the word "beloved" is used to characterize God's people throughout the Bible. It is a love that is given to everyone who is in Christ, not just one individual. God wasn't merely declaring a fact when He spoke over Jesus during His baptism, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." "This is the One I delight in," he said, reaffirming Jesus' identity in a way that was audible to all. I have chosen this one. The amazing thing is that in Christ, that same word—beloved—is spoken over us. We are not only pardoned but also claimed as God's own through Jesus. The One who created the universe has chosen, loved, and held us. See how everything is altered by that truth. Your identity, purpose, and value are all based on the fact that you are God's beloved. Let's now talk about baptism. Baptism may seem like a distant memory to many of us, an act that we underwent a long time ago. However, baptism is far more than just a religious ritual. It is a declaration of our identity. We declare to the world that we are God's children when we are baptized. More powerful than that, though, is God telling us, "You are mine." God claims us, sets us apart for His purposes, and invites us into a new way of living . It’s not just about going under the water and coming back up. It has to do with what that water represents, being cleansed, being born again, and entering a life defined by God's love. Our identity as God's beloved children is revealed to the world—and to ourselves—when we are baptized. Scripture echoes this truth. Galatians 3:26–27 We put Christ on like a clothing when we are baptized; His identity becomes ours. Additionally, we are reminded in Romans 8:16–17 Take a moment to consider that. God loves you and considers you a member of His family. His promises are yours to inherit. That’s the enormity and beauty of being God’s beloved. I'm curious how many of us find it difficult to accept this. We may be aware of it intellectually, but do we allow it to become ingrained in our hearts? The world frequently tells us that our value is determined by our accomplishments, appearance, or actions. The voice of God, however, is saying something quite different: "You are my beloved." I love you for who you are, not for what you have done. I want you to know this if you've ever suffered with feelings of inadequacy or doubted your value: God loves you. He chosen you. He claims you as his own. That's who you are, always, not just when you feel worthy. So, how do we respond to this truth? In a world that is always attempting to define us by something else, how do we live as God's beloved children? That’s the next question we’re going to explore. But as we move forward, let this sink in: You are beloved by the God of the universe, and nothing—absolutely nothing—can change that.

Galatians 3:26–27 NKJV

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Additionally, we are reminded in Romans 8:16–17

Romans 8:16–17 NKJV

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Take a moment to consider that. God loves you and considers you a member of His family. His promises are yours to inherit. That’s the enormity and beauty of being God’s beloved. I'm curious how many of us find it difficult to accept this. We may be aware of it intellectually, but do we allow it to become ingrained in our hearts? The world frequently tells us that our value is determined by our accomplishments, appearance, or actions. The voice of God, however, is saying something quite different: "You are my beloved." I love you for who you are, not for what you have done. I want you to know this if you've ever suffered with feelings of inadequacy or doubted your value: God loves you. He chosen you. He claims you as his own. That's who you are, always, not just when you feel worthy. So, how do we respond to this truth? In a world that is always attempting to define us by something else, how do we live as God's beloved children? That’s the next question we’re going to explore. But as we move forward, let this sink in: You are beloved by the God of the universe, and nothing—absolutely nothing—can change that.

Living as God’s Beloved

Think about your own baptism. The act of baptism is a powerful declaration that we are God's children. I urge everyone who has been baptized to think back on that experience this week. Consider what it meant to you at the time and how it affects you now. Why not get baptized if you haven't already? What is preventing you from moving forward? If you'd like to be baptized, please let me know. Baptism may seem like a distant memory to some of us, as we did it as the next step in our spiritual development. However, baptism is a current reality rather than only a past event. It serves as a reminder that God has claimed you, chosen you for His purposes, and referred to you as His beloved. Think about what it means to be accepted into God's family if you haven't been baptized. God says, "You are mine," through baptism. You are cleansed, renewed, and incredibly loved. It's about being accepted by the One who made you, not about being perfect. Living in a way that reflects God's love is what it means to be beloved, not only getting love. It's about allowing your identity as a child of God to influence how you engage with the outside world. So, this week, ask yourself this question. How can I fulfill my role as God's beloved? Perhaps it's in the way you interact with your family, how you go about your job, or how you help someone in need. Our behavior reflects God's character—compassion, kindness, patience, and grace—when we live as His beloved. Let's face it, though: being God's beloved isn't always easy. The world is always trying to define us by our accomplishments, appearance, or how we stack up against other people. The temptation to pursue such things in the hopes that they will validate our value is strong. The voice of God, however, is distinct. "You are already enough because you are mine," he says. Living into that truth is resting in His love and letting go of the urge to prove oneself. Accept yourself as God says you are. The world will attempt to define you based on your accomplishments, social standing, and job title. The message from God, however, is louder: "You are my beloved child." Spend some time reminding yourself of that fact this week. Perhaps it's via reading the Bible, praying, or just saying out, "I am God's beloved." Allow His Word to serve as your compass when questions arise.

Be Kind to Others. It is our duty as God's beloved to show His love to those around us. Consider how you can accomplish it this week. It could be as easy as lending a sympathetic ear, supporting a person going through a difficult time, or being kind to a complete stranger. We are expressing who we are as the offspring of a loving God when we show love to others.

Have faith that God is happy with you. For some of us, this may be the most difficult step. We've been so accustomed to believing that we must win acceptance at work, at home, and even in our spiritual lives. However, God's love is not contingent on how well you perform. Recall His words, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," regarding Jesus during His baptism. About you, he says the same thing. He already loves you and isn't waiting for you to be flawless. I want to challenge you this week to live a purposeful life as God's beloved. Let water remind you of your baptism or God's call to be His child every time you see it, whether you're sipping a glass of water, washing your hands, or listening to the rain.

Find a single way to demonstrate God's love to another person. His light can shine brightly through a tiny act of compassion.

Declare for yourself that you are God's beloved. I've been picked. I am loved. Allow those words to direct your choices and behaviors.

Beloved of God

We are reminded of two profound truths when we think about Jesus' baptism: who He is and what He came to do, and who we are and what we are here to do. In the water of the Jordan, Jesus was called the loving Son of God, and it was confirmed that He was sent to bring light and life to the world. But here's the amazing thing: that same declaration is spoken over us. God loves us and has chosen us to be his children through Christ. We are called to live out this truth every day. Who we are is not enough; we also have to know whose we are. This week, I want you to fully accept that you are God's beloved. Believe that truth and let it guide how you see yourself, what you do, and how you treat other people. Think about what it means to be baptized or accepted into God's family today. When questions come up, state the truth over your life: "I am God's beloved." Show someone God's love. A simple act of kindness, an ear to listen, or a word of support can say a lot about His love. Don't forget this: God is pleased with you not because of what you do but because of who you are in Him. That's the lovely thing about being loved. Imagine a stream of clean, clear water pouring out on a hot day. The kind of water that refreshes and renews, that quenches your thirst and gives you new energy. That's how God's love works: it pours out on us, washing away our doubts, making our hearts new, and giving us the power to live as His beloved children. This week, keep that picture in your mind. Let water remind you of how much God loves you and how He is always spilling out His love to refresh and renew you as His beloved child.