Matthew 3:17, …and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
My older brother once expressed to me that he felt like I’m our father’s favourite. This is because I’m the first and only among our parents’ kids who’s gotten a bachelor’s degree and soon a master’s degree, as well as my time spent in the Army. He said he wasn’t sure if our dad was proud of him.
I told him our dad is definitely proud of him; he’s proud of both of us for different things. Sure, I have these accomplishments in my life that make him a proud father, but, I told him, “Dad is also proud of what you’ve accomplished.” In fact, this conversation took place just after I received my vicarage assignment last year. While my dad and I were having lunch with my vicarage supervisor, he spoke of my brother with pride and joy. When I told him this, he realised our father does not play favourites.
Neither does our heavenly Father. Jesus is God’s only-begotten Son, and He did not need to be baptised. He chose to be baptised so that His Baptism would become ours, making us all sons of God with whom He is well pleased. God does not play favourites; we are all His favourites. He does not favour the pastor over the congregant, or Martin Luther over the “baby Christian.” All God’s children are His favourites.
God loves us all equally, for He forgives us equally and distributes His means of grace equally (cf. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). You are God’s favourite because you are in His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran Column 