Son of God…
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, that You are both Son of God and son of man.
Read LUKE 3:21-37
[21] When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] 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.” [23] Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, [24] the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, [25] the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, [26] the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josek, the son of Joda, [27] the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, [28] the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, [29] the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, [30] the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, [31] the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, [32] the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, [33] the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, [34] the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, [35] the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, [36] the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, [37] the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the significance of the Father's words from heaven?In Romanian villages it is common for children and adults to be asked: “Whose are you?” They answer by giving the names of their parents, which may lead to assumptions about their character. Whose child you are defines you.In today’s passage, Luke discusses the issue of whose son Jesus is. Bible scholars disagree as to why Luke’s genealogy differs from Matthew’s (see Matt. 1:1-16). While Matthew is clearly emphasizing Jesus’ position in the Davidic royal line, Luke seems to want to anchor Jesus in the family line to which Joseph belonged. So whose son was Jesus? Perhaps the final words “son of God” (38) give us a hint. Earlier in the passage, at Jesus’ baptism, Luke has also brought us God’s voice from heaven: “You are my Son” (22). Jesus may have had physical traits inherited from his human mother; he may have had the Galilean accent and carpentry skills of Joseph; but his character reflects his heavenly Father. Whether our human parents were good or bad, whether we resemble them or not, God has called us his children (Gal. 3:26). Whatever our human family looks like, we have a heavenly Father who gives us a new identity.
Apply
Think about what it means to be a son or daughter of God. Spend time thanking your Father for calling you his child.
Closing prayer
God of Wonder, I desire to breathe in Your life and breathe out Your praise.
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