“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

Did you hear these words from your dad when you were growing up? If your dad is still alive, do you hear them from him now as an adult?

If you have a son, do you say these words to him? Very often?

Do you ever proclaim these words publicly about your son where both he and other men hear you?

“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

In the New Testament of the Bible, there are only 3 recorded instances where God audibly spoke from heaven. Did you know that 2 of these 3 instances are God the Father communicating this very message to His Son Jesus?

At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven spoke audibly to those who were present saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22)

At the mount of transfiguration, God again spoke, this time from a cloud, saying “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him.” (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, 2 Peter 1:17-18)

These are incredibly powerful and affirming words that boys and men of all ages long to hear — need to hear — from their father. It was important for God the Father to communicate this on more than one occasion audibly to His Son Jesus and those who were present. It was important for Jesus to hear these words audibly from His Father.

Likewise, it is important that we fathers speak these words audibly to our sons.

“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

Two videos are posted below. The message of the first video reminds us just how excruciatingly painful the torture of the cross was for Jesus to physically bear. My eyes literally welled with tears as I once again reflected on what took place on that momentous day some 2,000 years ago. The second video is the trailer from Mel Gibson’s epic movie, The Passion of the Christ.  I can still recall the intense emotion I experienced as I left the theater with my wife after having watched that movie for the first time. Watching this clip again was a powerful reminder to me of the final events just before Jesus Christ was crucified on a wooden cross.

The Passion of the Christ 2-DVD Definitive Edition

The Passion of the Christ 2-DVD Blue-Ray Edition

The Passion of the Christ