Marked by His Love

Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him." (Mark 9:7, MSG)

There are so many nuggets in this verse: “light-radiant cloud”—hmmm… God’s glory. Have you seen His glory? Sometimes His glory comes in a cloud while we worship. You can breathe it in. Oftentimes I’ve seen it, hovering, gracing us. I’ve felt His weighty glory press on me.

“from deep in the cloud, a voice”—God speaks. Oh, His voice. His words. His grace to speak directly to us. And because He knows us individually so well, He speaks in ways we “get.” What a grace! I love that He wants to speak. And though it takes time to cultivate a listening heart, tuned to His voice, it’s worth it. Prayer communion makes it happen. Be a student of the Word and press close. He will draw near to you as you draw near to Him. (see James 4:8)

“This is My Son”—God’s confirmation of who Jesus was/is. Let the questions be answered, let the debate fade away—Jesus is God’s Son.

“Marked by His love”—He has marked Jesus by His love. And He has marked us by His love. And He is marked by His love for us. “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands...” (see Isaiah 49:16)

“Listen to Him”—ahh, yes. The invitation to hear His voice. To do what He says. To commune with Him. And God is the One directing us to listen.

What a privilege to know Him, to hear Him, to love Him and be loved by Him, our Beloved.