October 11, 2004

THE SON OF THE BLESSED ONE

"Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' " (Mark 14:61, NIV).

Although the word, "blessed," is frequently used to describe God, only Mark applies this special title to Jesus. The term, "Blessed One," is confined to Deity and was used in order to avoid saying the most sacred name, Yahweh.

Before the Sanhedrin, the high priest asked Jesus the direct question, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus unhesitatingly replied, "I am." By so doing, Jesus affirmed His divinity and identified Himself as the Son of the Blessed One. The Greek word translated, Blessed, means "to speak well of," "to celebrate with praise," Hence, Jesus is the Son of the Blessed One who is to be spoken well of and celebrated for His matchless love and grace. Paul, in an eloquent eulogy to God for His redemption through Christ, wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us... with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3, NIV).

Paul's elaboration of these blessings is impressive. He speaks of the blessings of adoption into God's family (verse 5), acceptance in the Beloved (verse 6), redemption through the blood of Jesus (verse 7), the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 13), and inheritance of the purchased possessions (verse 14). Not only is Jesus the One through whom all these blessings flow, but He is also called "blessed." At Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the jubilant multitude sang, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9, NIV). "Through the merits of Christ we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. It is our privilege to draw nigh to God, to breathe in the atmosphere of his presence."--Review and Herald, September 6, 1892.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I celebrate Your greatness and goodness. Amen.