Do You Know Your Father’s Voice?
Good Morning Friends,
Today is Father’s Day and it seems to draw my attention to three fathers: Joseph the father of Jesus, my own father and our Father in Heaven, God. Honestly today can be a rather pathetic holiday if it is only about honoring our earthly fathers, so I would like to think it more than that. The role of fathers seems to have changed and become less important. I think other cultures honor their fathers as well and I would hope they do a better job of it. In fact, I imagine most of us on this planet, though not all, can remember our earthly fathers giving us specific instructions on completing an important task. But today we look at scripture about blessings and the work and behavior of the disciples as they follow Jesus and interestingly there are some similarities between a relationship with a father and a child and the relationship of Jesus and his disciples. Friends, to become a respectable father one first must become a respectable man.
So, listen for the call home. Scripture says that Jesus’ sheep hear his voice. And he knows them, and they follow. Do You Know Your Father’s Voice?
Scripture: Then he said, “Bring it to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.
Genesis 27:25 (NRSV)
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.
Matthew 9:35-10:1 (NRSV)
But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”‘ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:17-24 (NRSV)
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 (NRSV)
Message: Now a Jewish father’s blessing was a formal bequeathing of the father’s leadership and authority in the family to his oldest son. And since the oldest son was to assume family leadership responsibilities, he also received a double share of his father’s possessions. We see it played out in the story of Isaac, Esau and Jacob. We see it in the story of the prodigal. But interestingly we do not see this played out in scripture in relationship to Jesus and Joseph. Though Jesus is called the son of a carpenter, what Joseph bequeathed was more likely the family business. Jesus referred to God the Father as his father and that blessing is infinite. Regardless the bestowing of the blessing was a very important event in the Jewish traditions. But as for Jesus this is not so simple. He is blessing everyone starting with the Jews giving them a double helping. So, we can see this day a day to honor our fathers but it can also be a day to discover discipleship closer to home. In 1966, Lyndon Johnson signed the proclamation declaring that the third Sunday in June would be set aside as Father’s Day, a day when we would recognize and honor and pay tribute to our earthly fathers. But on a deeper level, I think all this is about honoring God and discovering how we can be a blessing.
Pray our hearts are thankful, enduring and in awe of God the Father. Pray we understand the importance of fathers coming to a belief in Jesus for the sake of the children. Pray we realize the power of a prodigal father. Pray like Jacob we picture a glorious future. Pray we have a meaningful touch especially when we cannot see clearly. Pray we have words of affection and love. Pray we assure the children of the world of their value. Pray we realize that we have been blessed to be a blessing. Pray we listen and follow the instructions we have been given.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 