The old adage says, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
The idea is that it is the one who sees that determines if what they are looking at is beautiful. To a large extent this is true. Beauty can be quite subjective. This is where individual preferences come from.
The Gospel is not beautiful in this way. The Gospel’s beauty is not dependent on the perspective of fallen sinners. The Gospel is beautiful because God the Father is the one beholding it. The Father is the one who has determined how precious and exquisite the work of the Son is.
After Jesus was baptized by John, the Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus says this about the Father’s love for him: “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John 5:20 NKJV)
And again in another place: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” (John 10:17 NKJV)
The Gospel is beautiful because of the love we see on display between the Father and the Son. The Father is showing us so much more than just his grace toward sinners. The Father is showing his affection toward Jesus.
I will not claim to fully understand what this means. I just know I appreciate the way Jesus speaks of the Father. And the way the Father has decided to speak of the Son.
This aspect of the Gospel is more about what is happening between the enactors of the Gospel. But, it impacts us. Knowing that the Father and the Son share this love for one another, we can behold what that love provided for us.
And that is eternally beautiful.
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