Have you ever considered what life may have been like for Jesus as a child or young man? Although He was God, we must remember that He was also completely human. In fact, He experienced the same temptations we do. It’s part of what qualified Him to become a merciful and faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:18).
It’s not recorded in the Bible, but Mary most certainly told Jesus of His divine conception, perhaps many times. And we know that He studied the scriptures because at 12 years old He astonished the teachers in the temple with His understanding and answers (Luke 3:46-47).
We don’t know when, but at some point Jesus must have began to entertain the thought that He actually was God in the flesh. But other than Mary, who could Jesus go to for counsel? Can you imagine Him going to the Rabbi? “Excuse me Rabbi, but I have had some strange thoughts recently. I think I’m God, what do you think?”
I believe that in His humanity Jesus experienced the same type of insecurities and fears that we do. And before His ministry could begin, He needed the reassurance of His identity that only the spoken blessing of His Father could give. Luke 3:22 says this,
“And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Isn’t it interesting that immediately after He received this confirmation the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil? And what form did those temptations take? His identity was challenged. “If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:1-10). That’s the same old tactic the devil uses today; he challenges our identity and destiny as sons and daughters of God.
If Jesus needed to hear these words from His Father, then perhaps we should also consider the importance of a father’s blessing.
