The root of sin in us is self-will and independence from God. But in Jesus, the perfectly dependent Man, my heart has rest. Jesus was totally dependent upon His Father, whether in the midst of sorrow, in humiliation, or in glory. And when that blessed heart of Christ expressed its dependence in praying to His Father, did He get an answer? Yes, "The heaven was opened" (Luke 3:21). Does heaven open thus on me? It is open to me indeed, no doubt, but I pray because it is open, whereas it opened because He prayed.

This is indeed a lovely picture of grace, and we may be bold to say that the Father loved to look down, in the midst of all sin, on His beloved Son. "He that sent Me is with Me; the Father hath not left Me alone" (John 8:29). Nothing but what was divine could awaken God’s heart; yet it was the lowly, perfect Man whom God looked upon. Jesus did not take the place of His eternal glory as the Creator and the Son of God, but He stooped and was baptized. He said, "In Thee do I put My trust. . . . Thou art My Lord (Psa. 16:1,2), and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Him (Luke 3:22). What a fitting resting place for the Spirit was Jesus, in the deluge of this world. How sweet, too, that Jesus is pointed out to us as God’s object.

The Scriptures reveal to us the way the Father feels about His Son. Thus I am made His intimate, and admitted to hear Him expressing His affection for His Son. Thus I get rest, and my heart finds communion with God in His beloved Son. And if I find that which, in and about me, distresses the soul, I have in Him that which is unfailing joy and comfort. Even if heaven and earth were turned upside down, still I have a rest with Him. ,What blessedness it is for the heart to have the Object with whom God Himself is occupied.

"Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).

(In Help and Food, Vol. 24.)