At the age of 30, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. When Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; behold, the heavens were opened, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.
In that moment, a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight.” This raises an interesting question: Why was the Heavenly Father pleased with Jesus at that moment, even though Jesus had not yet started His ministry, had not saved a single soul, preached any sermons like the famous Sermon on the Mount, healed a leper or a paralyzed man, or raised Lazarus from the dead?
In my opinion, based on what the Holy Spirit has put in my heart, the answer lies in Jesus’ obedience. At the age of twelve, He knew He was the Son of God and that He came to this earth to be crucified and rise again on the third day. Yet, from the age of twelve to thirty, He worked as a carpenter, engaging in manual labor, and spent 18 years submitting to His earthly parents in obedience.
Throughout those years, Jesus was obedient, never sinned, and lived an ordinary human life while training for God’s work. This demonstrates that God’s pleasure derives from obedience rather than actions or achievements.
Later in the Scriptures, we see preachers approach God, saying they have performed mighty works in His name, but God’s response is, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly, disregarding My commands” (Matthew 7:23). Although Jesus was not known or highlighted before His ministry, He lived a holy and obedient life, which pleased the Lord.
Sometimes, pastors become so consumed with ministering to people that they neglect to spend time with the Lord. This can lead to a disconnect from God and a deceptive lifestyle.
Remember, “God is always pleased with your obedience, not by your work or performance.”
Some individuals may donate thousands of dollars to the church but never spend two hours with the Lord. Others may worship every Sunday but refuse to give up habits that God is asking them to renounce, such as smoking.
In conclusion, obedience is the key to pleasing the Lord; our performance follows as an expression of our acceptance by Him.
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