Talking Dads

The Father said to His servants, “This Son of Mine was dead and has come to life again.”

Every human being ever to inhabit this planet has an earthly father, but not every earthly father is loving and kind. We know all too well there are many earthly fathers who are downright unreflective of what a father should be. "You said it. Oh, and thanks again for ordering that guitar adapter!"

It is hard to comprehend a father who abandons his children; who beats them and abuses them. When I hear of these things it is as if there is an unreality adrift out there. I read of it in the news, see it in the movies and on TV sometimes, but it just floors me to think such a thing could actually be true. To the extent it is, LORD, have mercy.

There is another extreme when earthly fathers are idolized to the extent they are deemed incapable of doing any wrong. This, too, is an aspect of earthly fatherhood that is not common to my experience. Most fathers I know, and I know quite a few, are aware of their weaknesses, yet understand their place as both providers and teachers of their youth. We have natural law and civility to thank for that.

But the essence of Fatherhood is best expressed by our Maker, who, becoming flesh in His only Son, Christ Jesus, was the source of perfect love and nurturing provision for all earthly fathers and their children. That is why, when Jesus is asked explicitly how we should pray, the first word from His mouth is, "Father," and from there everything a child would ask of a father is poured out abundantly, especially and including the forgiveness of sins.

Most explicit in the relationship between father and son is what is expressed in the Fourth Commandment. For a son to render perfect obedience to his father is unheard of, but this we can guarantee: a son is more inclined to render obedience when he knows his father loves him unconditionally, because the son is literally “of the same substance” as the Father.

Sound familiar? Yes. Jesus and the Father are one - they are of the same substance - and Jesus’ perfect obedience consists of obeying all the Law in perfection to its fullest demands, and then laying down His perfect life out of love for all the other human fathers who fail, along with all mothers and all children. Of this we are taught by the Holy Spirit Who teaches us of Jesus and the Father.

So it happens that earthly fathers, who are taught in and of the LORD, seek to bestow the best things on their children in love to whatever extent they are able, for they, too, experience Life received in place of a death earned through disobedience. The Son who was once dead in your sins is now alive, to be your Righteousness forever and ever as you are baptized into, and abide in, Him.