As Father's Day approaches, I could tell you many things about my father. I could tell you that his name was Edward. I could tell you the date he was born, and the date he died. I could tell you funny stories, and not so funny stories about him. I could tell you some of the things that were important to him, and some of the things he enjoyed doing for fun.
When we think of Father's Day, we think of our fathers here on earth. Hopefully, we remember them with admiration for how hard they work and sacrifice to provide for, and care for, their families. Some people may have less positive memories and thoughts of their fathers. The relationship between father and child can be very difficult sometimes for both parties. Some fathers' hearts may be full of regrets. Some children's hearts may be full of hurts or disappointments. There seem to be many things that sometimes try to come between the father and child relationship. These things can also carry over into our spiritual relationship with our Father, God.
In Biblical times, as well, fatherhood was mostly associated with earthly fathers. Family histories, or geneologies, were kept of all generations of fathers, even back to the time of Abraham, and before him back to Adam. When Jesus was teaching the people, He would also talk about fathers. The people around Him declared, "Abraham is our father" (John 8:39). And proud they were of that fact. Because they were descendants of Abraham, they were a covenant people, with an inheritance from God. However, Jesus was telling them about their heavenly Father.
The people knew about God. They worshipped Him. They feared Him. But Jesus wanted to introduce them to their Father, the Father that He knew and loved so much. The Father Who loved Jesus in return. Jesus spoke of God as "My Father". Man did not know God in that manner. Even today, there are religious people who reject the truth of God as a Father to them. Religion separates us from our Father. God has always desired a father-child relationship with us, rather than a religious relationship:
Therefore the LORD said:
"Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught
by the commandment of men.
Therefore behold,
I will again to a marvelous work
Among this people..."
Isa. 29:13-14
It has always been the LORD's desire to be a Father to us, even from the beginning. Adam, from whom we all descended, is referred to not just as a creation of God, but as "the son of God", in Luke 3:38. It was man who rejected God as Father, not the other way around. The LORD says,
"I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good..."
Isa. 65:2
How sad it must be to a father, whether earthly or heavenly, to stretch out his hands to his child, a child for whom he would give his own life, and be rejected. Yet our Father promised in
Isa. 29, that regardless of our rejection of Him, He would yet do a marvelous work among us. He has provided the way for us to come back to Him as our Father. He has opened His arms, and hands to us, always waiting, always ready to receive us back into His love.
Jesus tells a story about a son, who had rejected his father's home, and his father's care, and left. The son, defeated by the harshness of life, decides to return home to his father, even if his father will only let him work as a servant. But the father's heart is revealed in Luke 15:20:
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him."
The father was thrilled to see his son coming home, and had been watching for him. Our Father in heaven is watching for us to come home also. He wants to run to us and hug and kiss us in great joy.
This Father's Day, let us not only honor our earthly fathers, but let's also use the opportunity to return to the house of our heavenly Father, who waits for us with a heart full of compassion.
The LORD is our Father.
"The Prodigal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyVlF24u5dY
"Draw Me Nearer"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZfEcIxZgI
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