THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON

The term ‘only begotten’ emphasizes uniqueness and unparalleled love. It refers to the eternal relationship between God the Father and God the Son. In Hebrews chapter 11 verse 17 the same word is used to describe Isaac’s relationship to Abraham. It speaks of closeness and love, rather than mere generation. Abraham had another physical son, Ishmael. Nevertheless, Isaac was his ‘only begotten’ in the sense that he was the son of promise who would be part of the line of Messiah Himself. Moreover, he was uniquely loved by his father. Likewise, the Lord Jesus as Son stands in a distinctive position of love and closeness to the Father.

The exceptional connection between God the Father and God the Son makes the sacrifice of Christ all the more astonishing. As it is phrased in Romans chapter 8 verse 32, ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’. In order to judge sin and enable sinners to be justified, the Father actually sent His most cherished One, ‘the Son of his love’, Col. 1.13, RV. Christ always perfectly obeyed His Father’s will. By His spotless life, He brought unmatched joy to the heart of God. The Father declared His delight in the Son in these words, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’, Matt. 3.17. In spite of this matchlessly beautiful life, the Lord was made sin for us, 2 Cor. 5. 21.

No angel could do the work of redemption; no holy man was fit to become a propitiatory sacrifice. Only Christ was capable and willing to fulfil God’s plan of salvation. He alone was ‘the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world’, John 1.29. The Father’s exalted estimation of the Son notwithstanding, Christ went to the horrible suffering and ignominious death of the Cross.

Calvary reveals the heart of the Almighty. The extent of God’s love is superlative in degree. No one could ever challenge whether or not the Father actually loved the world. His care for His creatures is beyond question, for He gave His ‘only begotten Son’ to redeem the lost.