“This Is My Beloved Son” began with a moment of deep realisation for Graham Kendrick. It was during a time when sung worship was growing in popularity and gaining influence in churches. Graham reflects on how worship and mission were often seen as separate areas of church life, but he began to understand that they were actually two expressions of the same truth.

“I realised that mission and worship are really both the same thing. They’re expressions of the same thing. Worship isn’t just about what happens inside the church walls; it’s about reaching out with the gospel and with acts of mercy.”

A Lesson from the Moravians

What truly shaped the song’s message was a story Graham heard about the Moravians, a Christian movement from hundreds of years ago. The Moravians were known for their extraordinary commitment to prayer and mission, even when it meant putting their lives at risk by travelling to the ends of the earth.

The Moravians’ motivation was summed up in a simple but profound phrase: “That the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward of His suffering.”

“They loved Jesus so much, and they were so grateful for what He did on the cross that they wanted to bring Him the reward of that. The reward that Jesus died for wasn’t just us being saved. It was people to the ends of the earth hearing the gospel and following Jesus.”

A Call to Worship and Mission

“This Is My Beloved Son” is not just a song of worship; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that true worship leads to mission. When we encounter the love and sacrifice of Jesus, it naturally compels us to share that message with others.

“You’re a worshipper if you are bringing people to Christ. That’s an act of worship just as much as singing a worship song.”

A Song for Easter and Beyond

The song beautifully ties together the heart of Easter, the sacrifice of Jesus, with the ongoing mission of the church. It’s a reminder that worship is not just about what we sing, but about how we live and how we bring others to Christ.