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RUSSELL SANDERS
5-13-2024
FATHER GOD SPEAKS ALOUD
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There were a couple of times during Jesus’ earthly ministry where God the Father (JAHH) spoke out loud so that people could actually hear him speak aloud. Both times it was to affirm the true identity of Jesus.
The first such incident was when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and lighted upon Jesus. Matthew 3:16-17 says, “And lo a voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” It was the Father speaking to the witnesses on earth that were present at the baptism of Jesus. They heard the Father speak. It is also recorded in Mark 1:10-11.
The Father was making sure that those present would not simply take Jesus to be a prophet or a rabbi as many called him. Hearing God the Father speak would show that Jesus was actually divine, meaning He was God in the flesh of man. Any “son” of a god would necessarily have to be a god also by human reasoning. The heavenly announcement confirmed Jesus’ divinity.
The second such voice of the Father came upon the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John as the witnesses. This event is found in Mark 9:2-8. Jesus appeared in a glorified heavenly body, along with Moes, and Elijah. In Mark 9:7 it says, “A voice came out of the cloud [manifest presence of God], saying ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear him.’” The Father spoke this to the three inner circle apostles so they could truly testify and affirm the divine identity of Jesus.
It is important for us to understand this point. Jesus is not just “a son” (little s) of God. He is also God, especially OUR God. [yours and mine.]
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