Linda Gowland, Lay Leader at St Aidan’s United Reformed Church, comments on Matthew 3 v 13 – 17:

If you think back in your life do you remember how so many things you could do or say could make your parents happy and show how much you love them. What you may not realise and need to know then and now is that your parents always love you just the way you are; you don’t have to do things to earn their love. You are their son or daughter and they love you just because you are you!

There is a beautiful story in the Bible about a Father’s love for His Son. When Jesus was baptized we are told ‘Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'”

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Jesus is the Son of God. You are also God’s child. God loves you just the way you are. You don’t have to do things to earn His love. You are loved just because you are you!

I think everyone appreciates a compliment, don’t you agree? A compliment is a way of saying, “Thank you for being who you are.”

When Jesus was baptized by John, he received the best compliment that anyone could receive. Jesus was baptized in a river called Jordan. He went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, as we saw earlier.

Can you imagine being complimented by God in that way? Jesus came to earth to fulfil God’s plan; to show us God’s love and teach us about God’s love. Jesus was obedient and God’s compliment was a way of saying “Thank you for being who you are. I am well pleased.”