“And lo a voice from Heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Jesus’ ministry at the age of 30 began with a declaration of identity from the Father before He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This is important for us to understand because everything that Jesus did on the earth stemmed from the understanding that He was a Son to God, and not just merely a servant of God. A problem I observe with many believers in their service to God is that their identity is rooted in the productivity of their service instead of the truth that God is their Father first and foremost.
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He told them that they should pray in this manner “Our Father…” (Matthew 6:9). Look at how our Lord wanted to view our relation to God, as “our Father”. The truth is that God did not learn how to become a Father from earthly fathers, but He is the standard of Fatherhood. Every father should look to Him to learn how to be dads. Every Christian should look at God as their Father in heaven. It is imperative that we learn how to be children of God.
When Jesus rose from the grave, He instructed Mary Magdalene to “go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God” (John 20:17).