Faith and Family

He's My Son

written by Donna Whartenby

We have a son who is now an adult. However, in a deathbed wish decades ago, my husband’s sister asked us to raise her son. After a ten-year battle, she knew that dreadful, cancerous disease was going to win, and at age nine, her son’s life drastically changed. He lost his mother who had dreamed of watching him grow up. God made it so that we became his parents. He moved into our house and became our son.

Occasionally, when we were together, people would tell us how much he and I “looked alike.” We thanked them, snickering and giggling, knowing he was not my birth son, nor had any familial genetic connection. Even so, he is my son.

Watching a tuba swing back and forth on the marching field, as Professor Harold Hill heard shouts in “The Music Man,” we astoundingly declared, “He’s my son!” When we received a call from his teacher about school truancy, we asked, “He’s MY son?” Much later while holding his newborn, I proudly affirmed, “That’s my son’s!” And, not long ago, as my husband and I sat in church, amazed at the preacher speaking and teaching God’s truth, we looked at each other proudly, saying, “He’s our son.”

Imagine, from the heavenly realms, a Father sent His Son into an evil world as a newborn babe. Shepherds, directed by angels, came to see Him. The Magi came to honor Him and bring Him lavish gifts. His Father must have said proudly, “He’s MY Son.” Scripture tells us in Matthew 3:17 (ESV) when Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan, “…a Father’s voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ As a boy, after the Passover festival, His earthly parents found their teenage son in the Temple discussing God’s Word with the teachers and were amazed at Him. (Luke 2:41-52 NIV) I am sure they said proudly, “He’s our son.” As an adult, He rode a donkey into Jerusalem to celebrate Holy Week and Passover with the crowds shouting “Hosanna!” to Him. (John 12:12-19 NIV) A few days later, God’s Son was put on trial, stripped, beaten, and died on a cross for no wrongdoing.

The Bible explains that the heavenly Father had to turn His back on His Son as He took the world’s sin, our sin, on His shoulders while He hung on that cross. (Matthew 27:46 ESV) God knew this forsaken man was His Son whom He sent to earth to bring us salvation. Jesus delivered God’s redemption plan by sacrificing His own life to save us from our sinful lives.

Christ knows what humankind is like, and how it feels to be human. He now sits at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19 ESV) on the throne once again. Christ Jesus gave the world a new life without sin; a life of love, truth, joy, and peace - if we choose it.

Scripture teaches us that Christ Jesus is the only way to the Father. (John 14:6 NIV) Jesus is the Truth because He taught the knowledge of God that directs our paths as believers and makes us free. (John 8:32) Jesus is the Life because He overcame death in His sacrifice for us. By believing in Him, we can have eternal life. (John 10:28, John 11:25-26 NIV)

He’s God’s Son who loves us and gave His life for us. Will you believe in Him, follow Him, trust Him, and love Him? If you have not done so, pray to ask Him to come into your life today. Share this joy with others so they, too, can have everlasting life. Believers, raise your hands and shout “Alleluia!”

“The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.”- From “My Time with God” devotional, page 3, by Terry Fullam