Day 7: The Seal of Approval

Jesus was the first to be sealed. Before anything else on this Earth, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit decided to share the love existing between them. This love is so abundant that they agreed on a plan to create a family of sons and daughters similar to God so that this love - so high, wide, long, and deep - could be proliferated, and this magnificent dance of love would spread throughout eternity.

The Son surrendered to be the One who stripped Himself of His pre-existing glory to descend to the dimension of time and space, marry a Bride equally yoked with Him, and reign together in a future age.

But as the Son would become human like one of us, the Father placed on Him a constant reminder of His worth and mission - the seal. Jesus was the first to receive the seal of God's love so He could walk the Earth and be faithful to the charge given to Him. As the Son of Man walking through the dark world, He would be tempted in every way, even though He was God, so the seal of the love of His Father on Him was indispensable.

Jesus demonstrated unparalleled power over creation. He changed the composition of physical matter, cured various diseases, gave order to nature, overpowered demons, and even showed authority over death, resurrecting the dead and Himself. No human being can do things like that! Unlimited capacity.

One day, crowds who saw Jesus provide food miraculously followed Him where He would preach. This was a good thing since Jesus' miraculous signs are meant to encourage those who seek Him. This crowd, however, was not seeking God. What they wanted was entertainment and free food. And Jesus said to them:

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." John 6:27

Jesus, being God with the power to create, was not looking to be popular. He could have used all His power to do His will and display His strength. But Jesus has a seal - the seal of His Father's approval. This seal protects Him, authenticates Him, and establishes His value and mission.

Jesus came to manifest the Truth. Instead of softening His message to make people happy, Jesus chose to obey and glorify the Father. He could have solved the issues and problems of everyone around Him with all His powers. How much more popular would He be? But Jesus used His ability to point people to what is eternal. He held back on His abilities and showed the glory of the Father.

Jesus said not to work for food that spoils. It does not mean that work is worthless or that Jesus is endorsing laziness. What He says is simply that all material things will eventually pass away. Instead of being consumed by things like food and amusement, our efforts should focus on producing eternal rewards.

Jesus asks us to have the same seal on ourselves that the Father placed on Him. And the same purpose of this seal on Jesus is what is on us - to work for that which is not temporary but will have permanent value after this life. Jesus does not ask anything of us that He does not know in His flesh.

"In Him (Jesus) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3

My Prayer:

God of creation, Your plan is awesome! How can I ever thank You for including me in Your love? Your Son Jesus gave so much for me to partake of this incredible and eternal love. Jesus Himself was sealed with Your love so He could endure this world and show us how to live a focused life. Holy Spirit, help me use my energy and time in things that are real and lasting. With this minimal existence on Earth, please show me how my strength needs to be invested, not in vain and wasteful. Show me how Jesus would walk because all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. In the name of Jesus, Amen.