Matthew 3:16-17

Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV): “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””

Jesus was fully righteous in all His ways. That is partly why He was pleasing to the Father. It wasn’t just because He was the Son, but also because He did the will of the One who sent Him.

John the Baptist was beside himself when Jesus asked to be baptized by him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You.” To which Jesus replied, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” So John consented, and when he brought Jesus up from the water, the Spirit of God descended upon Him, and the Father declared His pleasure in the Son.

How do we become pleasing to God? It is not by our nature, but by our union with Christ. He is what makes us pleasing to the Father. Righteousness is imputed to us through Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). So our sonship is not by works, but by faith. However, just like Jesus, we too are pleasing to the Father when we walk in His will (Col. 1:10). For in so doing, we are becoming more like Jesus—and that is pleasing to Him.

Father, we thank You for providing a way for us to become pleasing to You. May we also walk in a manner that pleases You. Cleanse us and keep us pure, we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.