“This Is My Beloved Son,

In Whom I am well pleased.” This is a call to us, to which we are bidden listen. It is the record of a voice from heaven for us to heed. It is about Jesus, not a personal address to Him. Luke shows us the Lord alone with His Father, and seeing the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. Matthew records what took place, and in such a way as to appeal to us. He points out the Lord as the beloved of His Father— “This is,” not “Thou art,” “my beloved Son” —for us to inquire of ourselves what are our thoughts and affections concerning Him.
Look upon the Father’s blessed Son—He is well pleased in Him—and inquire, Is Jesus the joy of your heart? It is a personal question, dear reader. Heaven was opened upon Him when in His weakness and humiliation on earth, and assuredly heaven is open to each of the children of men who love Him.
The great need on this earth at this present hour is