Consider Jesus: Beloved

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 3:17“and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Matt. 17:5“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’”

See also Matt. 12:18; Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Luke 3:22; 20:13.  In Eph 1:6 Jesus is simply called “the Beloved.”  Beloved means “worthy of honor, esteem,” and thus very dear to us.  God loved Jesus to an infinite degree.  It is the greatest measure of God’s love that He loved us enough to sent His own Son for us.  

As we consider Jesus whom God loved, we also consider other children of God whom He loves, namely us.  “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you…” (2 Thess. 2:13)  “To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (Rom. 1:7)  As Jesus was loved (and we are told that we are loved); and as He loved, we are to love each other.  There are many examples of brethren having such love for one another:  “Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant” (Col. 1:7) “Our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:25) “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

Confidence that we are so loved should cause us to act properly, as Jesus did.  “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14)  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

Surely we should consider these things about Jesus.  As we do our appreciation for His work and labors for us will cause us to grow into the love that we should have for him and our brethren.