… today I have become your father.
Summary: As we consider the role of the Father and Jesus in our lives, how we understand what a father and son are impacts how we see God.
The word “father” in today’s passage is translated from the Hebrew word, “yālaḏ.” The meaning of the Hebrew is often translated as “to bear, bring forth, beget.” To “beget” is an old word that encompasses the entire process of bringing a child into the world. This is why Nicene Creed uses the word “begotten” to describe how God fathered Jesus.
A big part of being a father is contributing half of the DNA of the child. God explains this in Genesis 2:24:
”That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
Becoming “one flesh” is a technically accurate description of what happens when a man and woman come together to make a baby.
At this point, we could stop and say, “There you have it: a definition of the word ‘father’.” But that wouldn’t be true or complete. Like so many other words, the word “father” is used to mean different things.
The first meaning is described above. In short, the ability to “beget” children. The second meaning has to do with what happens after the child is conceived. Who is going to care for it and bring it up in the world? This brings us into the realm of fatherhood.
Sadly, in today’s world, the family structure is not held in high esteem. By breaking down the family structure, it is easier for the government to control people, and there are people in government who are deeply addicted to the power that comes with controlling others. Even more sadly, the reason we live in a culture where parental rights are subordinated to government control is that fathers in times past have abused their power and authority.
Being a father is an immense responsibility. The first requirement for fatherhood is being present. The second is being able to provide material security for the family. Third, is the responsibility for providing guidance and discipline. Fourth is being willing and able to gift a child with good things.
As I write this, I am saddened by the changes we have seen in our culture that diminish the role of fatherhood. Satan has not given up lying to us. Sexual promiscuity and disparaging the value of motherhood have both taken their toll on the family structure.
None of what has happened in our society diminishes the need for fathers and mothers. What it does is confuse people about their roles in life and frustrate our efforts to figure out who we are and what we are supposed to be doing. Fortunately for us, God is good (Mark 10:18). As we continue our journey through the Lord’s Prayer, we will discover more about what being a father means.
Application: Whatever your role in family life, be fully present.
Food for Thought: How does God fill his role as Father?
So many possible answers. I will briefly choose to look at how God’s Fatherhood is unique.
The Heavenly Father is unique in His Fatherhood in that He is trustworthy, unchanging and eternal. My earthly father died some twelve years ago. My Eternal Father does not die and cannot die. My earthly father changed quite a bit over the years. My Eternal Father is unchanging. My earthly father was a sinful man like myself and made many mistakes, my Eternal Father is perfect and mistake free. James 1: 17 – 18; Matthew 5: 48.
Rich,
Thank you for sharing this morning. The contrast between our Heavenly Father, God, and our earthly fathers is a great primer on the uniqueness of Father.
10-28-2022, How does God fill his role as Father?
The only person who would dare wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is his child. We have that kind of access to our Heavenly Father. This right of entry into the presence of God is not a minor emphasis in the gospel. To those who belong to Christ, our holy God is our loving Father; we belong to His family, we may approach him without fear and always be sure of His fatherly concern and care. God the Father has made himself God our Father which means that he is personally, emotionally, and even sacrificially involved with us.
Jesus is the only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
John 3:16
Our Father receives us, forgives us and rejoices over us when we come home to Him in repentance.
Luke 15:11-32
God chose to become our Father, lovingly adopting us as His own children forever.
1 John 3:1
Jesus tells us, He is both His Father and our Father.
John 20:17
Jesus teaches us to pray to God as our Father.
Matthew 6:9
Jesus calls God Abba Father, Abba refers to our personal relationship with God in intimate obedience.
Mark 14:36
The Spirit of the Son leads us into intimacy with God as our own Abba Father.
Galatians 4:6
Our Father, hears and answers our prayers.
Matthew 7:7-11
Our Father, cares for us and provides for us.
Matthew 6:25-34
Our Father, he disciplines us.
Hebrews 12:3-11
Ron,
I love your example of asking the king for water, and your scripture references paint a delightful picture of our Father. Thank you!
Great fun doing the research. the Bible says more than I could list.
Thank You!!
How does God fill his role as Father?
He keeps his promises. we can see that God never changes and that He has never failed. His promises are demonstrated throughout the scriptures. He is a promise keeper. Through He has given us unconditional promises and many covenants.
Psalm 33:4
Psalm 145:13