Tag: Identity
Identity from the Father!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Luke 3
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 3:21-23. “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a Voice came from heaven: “You are My Son, whom I love, with You I am well-pleased.” Now Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry, He was the son, so it was thought of Joseph, . .”
Who is your father here on earth? Jesus had an earthly adoptive ‘father’ named Joseph who was descended from a famous ‘father’ in Israel, King David. David, in turn, was a descendant of Abraham. Abraham’s lineage went all the way back to Adam! Luke was showing the Gentiles that Jesus was the ‘Son of Man’. But Luke also showed that Jesus had a real Father in heaven. At Jesus’ baptism, the voice of the Father clearly declared “You are My Son, Whom I love, with You I am well-pleased!” Jesus may have been known as ‘the carpenter’s son’, but He was also God’s Son!
Observations for over-comers: We may have an earthly father, or maybe not one we know. But when we are born again in Christ Jesus, we have a Father in heaven who says to us at our baptism, ‘You are My Son (Daughter), Whom I love, with You I am well-pleased.” “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
Father’s House!
Scripture reading for March 4th: Luke 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Luke 2:48-50 “When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you searching for me?” He asked. Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s House?” But they did not understand what He was saying to them.”
We know very little of Jesus’ childhood after the visit of the wise men and His trip to Egypt and return to Nazareth. Joseph and Mary evidently lead an ordinary life and had other children that Jesus grew up with. They were Jews who were devout and visited Jerusalem for the feast of Passover every year. (Luke 2:41) Luke records that Jesus went with His family when He was twelve years old and on the way back home, was found to be missing from the company of travelers from Nazareth.
When His parents returned to Jerusalem, they found Jesus in the temple courts sitting with the teachers and asking questions. When they questioned Him, He told them they should have known that He had to be in His Father’s House! This was one of the earliest revelations by Jesus of His true identity! Our identity is now tied to our Father through Jesus Christ!
Observations for over-comers: It is a good thing to be in ‘Father’s House’! We must never forget our identity and our destiny! “I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have become Your Father. Ask of Me, and I will amke the nations Your inheritance and ends of the earth Your possession.” (Psalm 2:7-8)