Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
This part of the Word always puzzled me. I knew the Son had to redeem the world from sin (2 Cor. 5:19), but why did the Father teach that the Son was ‘begotten’ by Him. Did this happen at the virgin birth in Bethlehem, or does it have a deeper meaning at another point in the life of Jesus. When looking into this, quite frankly I thought it was ‘so cool’ the way the Lord explained this in the Word. Let’s look.
The scriptures teach that the Father literally voiced His pleasure with His Son (well pleased) on different occasions in the Word (complete list below). When the Father ‘spoke out from heaven’ however, He chose His moments with meaning and purpose. They were ‘pointing us’ to an ultimate celebration that meant everything to Him, the glorious homecoming with His Son.
When the Father said
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
This happened on two main events in the life of Jesus- His baptism (Mk. 1:11) and the transfiguration (Mk. 9:7) on the mountain with His apostles.
Why would the Father highlight these two events and speak to the world that He was please with His Son? How does this ‘point’ to the great day of ‘Today I have Begotten Thee? (Heb. 5:5).
Let’s start with the baptism of Jesus.
We can summarize Romans 6:3-10 by saying .. when we are baptized with Christ we are baptized to His death, the death to sin. When we are then raised with Christ- raised up in glory and life to the Father.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Now, the transfiguration on the holy mountain with the apostles.
2 Peter 1:17-18 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.
We know from other scriptures mentioned below, Jesus was ‘lit’ with the glory of God (Mat. 17:1-3). This glory was representing a time in the near future when He would be ‘in glory’ by the Fathers side, never tasting death again, complete victory over death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Father was showing us Jesus was ‘right on track’ in His walk when Jesus accomplished these two events. While the ‘purpose’ for Christ coming is to bring in the Kingdom of God (Lk. 4:43, 1 Jn. 3:8), He first had to atone for our sins by dying on the cross and resurrection from the dead (1 Jn. 2:2). The Father spoke from heaven on these 2 events (the baptism of Christ and the transfiguration on the mountain) because He wanted to illustrate to us His eternal purpose, redeeming man from sin and bringing us to glory, life everlasting with Him.
Once this was accomplished at the cross, Jesus ascended into glory. This part is exciting! The glory is the manifestation of eternal life-that is why the transfiguration of glory on the mountain was sooo important…it was representing ‘eternal life’ for Christ and for us!!
The Father was pointing to the ascension day when Christ would be ‘born’, not with flesh that can perish but with life incorruptible and eternal….to be ‘reunited’ in glory for all time…(1 Cor. 15:52-54) Therefore…
Hebrews 1:3-5 , when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee
The verses that mention ‘Today I begotten Thee’ are all in reference to the cross, redemption and then being received into eternal glory (see below).
Thus, scripture speaks of the Father being ‘well pleased’ with Christ at His baptism (death and resurrection), transfiguration to glory on the mountain (raised to glory). Only at the ascension to the throne room of God, did the Fathers say-You are now born to glory, or, Today I have begotten Thee, prior verse.
At this point, Jesus truly becomes the first born to all creation-life everlasting.
Col. 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
His next task was go descend into the world and set free the Old Testament saints, who were held captive-waiting to be with God. Jesus set them free to abide in heaven (Eph. 4:9-12).
Ephesians 4:8-10 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
-Praise God, He gave out heavenly gifts at this time too (Eph. 4:11-12).
The church therefore is the first fruits of Jesus being ‘begotten’ by the Father.
Romans 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son ship, the redemption of our bodies.
I think we can speak for many reading these scriptures, I like the idea of being the first fruits with Christ– ‘begotten’ by the Father, a new glorious life in heaven with the Lord for all time.
Father, make clear our paths so we can be obedient like Your Son, so-in that day, begotten by You, You will be ‘well pleased’ with us. (Jn. 14:14)
I. God Is Well Pleased with Jesus
Matthew 3:17 Baptism And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 12:18 Old Test. Prophecy Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Matthew 17:5 Transfiguration While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mark 1:11 Baptism And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 9:7 Transfiguration And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Luke 3:22 Bapt. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Luke 9:35 Transf. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
2 Peter 1:17-18 Transf. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
2. God begot Jesus
Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Acts 13:29-33 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God raised him from the dead: 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Hebrews 1:3-5 , when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
Hebrews 5:1-5 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: ..3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. ,,,5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.