Beloved – (Based on a google search definition)
n.–a much loved person
adj.–dearly loved
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Strong’s Bible concordance gives us a little history into the Greek translation of the word BELOVED.
The word BELOVED actually represented agapétos or agape love which in the Greek translation equates to what we consider a sacrificial love…the highest form of love.
Beloved – (Based on the Greek translation)
adj.–with two special applications:
the Beloved, a title of the Messiah (Christ), as beloved beyond all others by the God who sent Him;
Of Christians, as beloved by God, Christ, and one another.
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Where exactly are some places in the Bible where the word BELOVED is used?
Note: Not all the Bible translations use the actual word BELOVED, but the English Standard Version is one that does so I am referencing that translation in these thoughts.
One of the first New Testament references where the word BELOVED is used is when John the Baptist was baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3:16-17
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (ESV)
God’s voice from heaven announced that Jesus is His BELOVED son! Yes, Jesus is God’s dearly loved Son and is so pleased with Him!
In fact, rather than call Jesus by name, God calls Him, BELOVED! Wow!!
The setting of this next verse is when Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, up a high mountain and was transfigured, turned into a state of glory, right before their eyes.
Matthew 17:5
He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (ESV)
Did you notice that the voice from heaven announced the same greeting as when Jesus was baptized, with the addition of “listen to him!”? How neat is that? I think it is pretty powerful that God used the same sentence both at Jesus’ baptism and when He was transfigured, calling Jesus His BELOVED son once again!
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Let’s look at some synonyms for the word BELOVED……
precious,
cherished,
treasured,
esteemed,
revered.
God is looking at Jesus, His Beloved Son as precious, cherished, treasured, esteemed, revered!
What great LOVE the Father has for His Son.
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Check out these verses, especially the word BELOVED, and let them sink into the depths of your heart and being.
1 John 3:1-2
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (ESV)
The writer, John, is actually calling us BELOVED!!! We are beloved, being God’s children now too!! Wow!!! God not only calls His Son, Jesus, beloved, but US as well!
1 John 4:7-14
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (ESV)
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
John, once again calling us BELOVED, is also calling us to LOVE. Love is from God and since God loves us so much, we need to have that same love for others.
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (ESV)
Notice the reference that WE are God’s chosen ones, even being holy and beloved! Just like Jesus’ life on earth reflected compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, so we too are called to live in that way extending those qualities to all we encounter.
This week take time to reflect on what it means in your life to have God call YOU, just like He called Jesus, Beloved……We get to share in that agape love that God showed Jesus! Yes….you and I are loved that much by God our Father!
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You, my friend, are
precious,
cherished,
treasured,
esteemed,
revered!
That is how much God loves you! God chose to create you and love you not because of what you do but because of who He is!
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Did you ever notice the word beloved can transform into a reminder to us to BE-LOVED? Be-Loved by God this week!
These thoughts were inspired by hearing this song entitled, Beloved, by Jordan Feliz. Take a listen and let these words from the song echo in your heart this week…..
You are beloved
I wanted you to know
You are beloved
Let it soak into your soul.
