“What Does Divine Favor Mean?”
If I were to tell you of a man who enjoys the special favor of God… heaven smiles at him, whose life is pleasing to God – what kind of story would you expect to hear about that man’s life?
You might think or expect to hear an unqualified success story – good health, great wealth, a loving wife, obedient children, public esteem, loyal friends, an exciting future, long years of life, everything that the human heart could possibly desire.
On the day of Jesus baptism, a voice from the heavens said: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” In other translations – “On you my favor rests.” And if we study Jesus’ life, we can learn what the favor of God really means… signs that God is pleased with you.
The first and most evident fact is that it does NOT mean a life of ease and luxury.
Jesus was born in a stable and died on a cross at a young age. He made a living as a carpenter, which means hard work. We can imagine his hands being calloused.
Then when he left the carpenter’s shop, he became an itinerant preacher, travelling the length and breadth of Palestine on foot. Many nights, he slept outdoors. The ground was his bed, and the sky was his roof. There were days when he was hungry and had nothing to eat but the grain that he could get from the heads of unharvested wheat. As far as we know, he owned no property and, for the last few years of his life, he had no steady income. By our modern standards, he would have been considered a poor man.
Not only was he poor, he was also misunderstood. His own people rejected him. Some of them even thought he was out of his mind, and others accused him of conspiring with the devil. Then - came the day when his country-men cried in unison for his blood; and in that most critical hour, his closest friends ran away and left him to stand alone. So - Where is God’s favor in that?
The same with Mary - When the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38), the angel said: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
And yet we know what Mary experienced. Joseph almost divorced her; she gave birth to her son in a stable; they had to escape to Egypt away from family; became a widow, witnessed her son tortured and crucified. So - Where is God’s favor in that?
So - Where did we get the idea that divine favor has anything to do with a life of ease and luxury? But somehow people think that if we have the right kind of faith in God, then all of our illnesses will be cured, all of our bills will be paid, and all of our relationships will be happy and harmonious.
It did not work for Jesus and Mary. They trusted the Father with their whole heart and were deeply devoted to doing God’s will… but their lives were a life of hard work, poverty, social conflict and finally a cross. If we take them as our example, we can dismiss forever the notion that divine favor has anything to do with easy and luxurious living.
Unfortunately - many people are deceived by what is called the “prosperity gospel.” Many people like to listen to preachers - who live luxurious lives – who falsely teach “prosperity theology” that in essence says, "If I am a Christian, God promises to bless me with great health, wealth, and prosperity."
This teaching is a great danger to those who believe it. What happens is people come to God for what God can give them. The problem is God never promised a life of riches, comfort and abundant prosperity, so when people experience suffering, they feel as though God has failed them.
False teachers teach what people want to hear to please them – so they get more donations - rather than share truths that may be hard to hear, yet are needed for true freedom and salvation. (2 Pet. 2:17-20, 2 Tim 4:3-4)
In the letter to the Hebrews 13:9
“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.”
So - What then does divine favor mean?
It primarily means a chance – actually a privilege – to share in God’s Divine Life - to participate in the great redemptive work of God. When Jesus spoke of himself, it was always in terms of a serving and saving mission… the great redemptive work of God… leading people back to God.
Scripture says that belief in Jesus means we receive the spirit and every spiritual blessing.
Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
That is how St. Paul could say: “Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- meaning – rejoicing, giving thanks to God … even when things are not going well with us. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
St Paul said: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all these through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
The statement: “I am a baptized person; I am a Christian.” When you say that: What do you mean?
When we ask people about their concept of baptism, many are quick to say “baptism takes away original sin”. While that is true, it is only one part of the sacrament and often a misunderstood part.
We are not just individuals who came for washing, to be cleansed of our sin, and remain as individuals living for ourselves after baptism - but – we become a member of the Body of Christ – His Church – with responsibility to and for one another.
To say: “I am a baptized person; I am a Christian” - means – that I have freely decided or willed – that I am committed wholeheartedly to follow Jesus… by living a truly self-giving – unselfish - servant life…a life of holiness and service to God and others…
You and I want to change this world for the better. This is not new. We are no different than the people of Jesus' time. People were sick of a world full of cruelty, persecution, and war. They wanted a change and they wanted to do something about it immediately. And do you know what they did? They repented of their own sins because they recognized that the world is not going to change unless they themselves first change.
If you want your spouse to change, you change first. If you want someone to change, you change first.
Admittedly - on our own – we cannot discern and do God’s will and fulfill our mission – but the Good News is - just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the Lord at His baptism to empower Him for His mission – the same Holy Spirit has been poured unto us at our own baptism.
As Jesus said: “Do not be afraid… Behold, I am with you always until the end of time…” Emmanuel – God with us even in our struggles.
So – DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BE A CHRISTIAN!
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort; you were made for greatness.”
Being a Christian is not easy but the retirement plan is amazing; more than what we can even ever imagine.
God bless…
