The life of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mk. 10:45), was a life of willing obedience and suffering in its outward circumstances. But His joy of fellowship with His Father constantly sustained and prepared Him for each day’s activity. “He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned … He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me?” (Isa. 50:4, 8). Mark 1:35 shows how this took place: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

When, at the onset of His public ministry, in all humility, He was baptized amid repentant sinners who were confessing their sins, the heavens parted and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. The Father spoke from heaven, attesting to His pleasure in His beloved Son, whose entire life on earth had been without any trace of sin, holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. At His transfiguration, God the Father again openly honored Him in the presence of three of His disciples. They would have honored Moses and Elijah—great men of God—just as much as Jesus; but God took them away and emphasized who Jesus is and to hear Him.

May we take this to heart! Let us live humbly, walk with God, obey His Word, try to please Him. Whatever our circumstances are, this will give us real pleasure and will give God true joy. He and we will rejoice as He rewards us in that soon-coming day!