The Beloved Son

by Edwin Crozier

Gabriel told Mary the Holy Spirit would empower her to conceive a child who would be called “Son of the Most High.” Thirty years later, when this infant had grown into a man, He was baptized in the Jordan. The heavens were opened. The Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. A voice from heaven declared, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22 ESV). This was an incredible moment all on its own. But when we recall the promise of the Psalms, this moment becomes absolutely phenomenal.

In Psalm 2, the nations rage and the people plot in vain. They believe they can cast off the Lord and His anointed. They believe they can remove His bonds and cast away His cords. But the Lord laughs and holds them in derision. He declares, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalms 2:6 ESV). Then the psalmist says, “I will tell of the decree: the LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel'” (Psalms 2:7-9 ESV).

No doubt, the psalm applied to David and his entire line. Ultimately, however, we find it fulfilled in John's baptism in the Jordan. Between the time of the promise and the time of Jesus, the nations have fought against Israel. They have tried to destroy him, taken him captive, oppressed him, suppressed him. But the Lord held them in derision, laughed at them, and carried Israel through it all. Israel survived it all until the promised Messiah finally arrived. What a beloved Son!

Let us recall the final instruction of Psalm 2. This Son of God is King. He does rule. He will rule. We who take refuge in Him will be blessed.

Praise the Lord!