35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
I am totally reminded of God’s commending words regarding His Son to the gathered crowd at the baptism of our Savior:
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matt 3:16-17 (NIV)
In these verses God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are represented along with, of course, Jesus - God the Son- at the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry showing forth their pleasure and approval of Him. Paul tells us in Colossians:
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:19-20 (NIV)
This is not the only event where the heavens opened and God spoke forth His affirmation regarding His Son. Matthew records the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration as follows:
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Matt 17:5 (NIV)
Authenticating and giving forth approval for the Son of God by the voice of God, Peter gives us the following description of his eye-witness account:
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV)
Not only is God the Son loved by God the Father, He has bestowed upon Him all authority and supremacy. Jesus has been given first place over all creation. He is the preeminent Logos, humbling Himself by becoming flesh and exalted by God to the highest place bearing the Name that is above all names. Paul tells us in Colossians:
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Col 1:18 (NIV)
We are also told in Philippians:
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11 (NIV)
God has placed all authority into His capable hands. In the Great Commission found at the end of Matthew, Jesus tells us:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
Jesus had the official right or power given Him and He in turn gives us the command to “Go” based on this power and authority and knowledge of Him.
“If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him myself. I must take time to worship the One whose name I bear. Jesus says, ‘Come to Me...’ – that is the place to meet Jesus – ‘all you who labor and are heavy laden...’” Oswald Chambers
While it is certainly glorious to be a part of His workings through His power, the greatest secret of joy is found in a right relationship with Jesus not in what we do for Him.
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings. Rick Warren