God is the greatest father

Today is the first day of the spring season in the southern hemisphere when there is new growth and flowering of vegetation. In fact in Sydney we have been getting spring weather for the last ten days. Because of this, there were plenty of flowers to be seen on our bush walk yesterday. It’s also a day in Australia when we honor and appreciate fathers (see Appendix).

In His hometown, Jesus was called “the carpenter” (Mk. 6:3) and “the carpenter’s son” (Mt. 13:55). So, He was a carpenter like his father Joseph. In the ancient world most sons did the same work their father did. The sons of farmers became farmers, the sons of tentmakers became tentmakers, and the sons of fishermen became fishermen. And they learned their trade from their fathers. This established their identity. The son acted like their father. From this the father-son relationship came to indicate similar actions and conduct. For example, Abraham was said to be “the father of all who believe (in God)” (Rom. 4:11). Abraham’s metaphorical children live by faith in God like he did (Jn. 8:39).

On a day when we remember fathers, let’s remember that God is the greatest father of them all.

Because of the covenant between them, God was said to be the Father of the Israelites (Ex. 4:22; Isa. 63:16; Jer. 31:9). And they were given the laws of Moses to live godly lives.

God is also the Father of those who trust in Jesus (Mt. 6:9). John wrote in his gospel, “He [Jesus] came to His own people [the Jews], and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God” (Jn. 1:11-13NLT). Christians are adopted as “children of God”. This is an act of God.

John explains it in his first letter, “See what great love (God) the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 Jn. 3:1NIV). God’s love transforms sinful people into the children of God by the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin.

And “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son [Jesus] into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [Jesus] as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 Jn. 4:9-10NLT). God showed His love for us by sending Jesus to earth to die for our sins. Because of the death of Christ, we can live forever with God.

We can’t choose our physical father, but we can choose our spiritual father. And the loving divine Father that we remember today is the greatest father of them all! He is he one who can provide new spiritual life that endures forever. And God also provided the Holy Spirit to help us live godly lives like Him.

Prayer

Father God thank you for taking action to address our dangerous situation. Thanks for sending Jesus as a perfect sacrifice to die in our place and taking our eternal punishment and providing new life that endures forever. Help us as your spiritual children to express your sacrificial love to others. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Appendix: Father’s day

Many countries celebrate Father’s day on the third Sunday of June.

In Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, which is also the first Sunday of spring.

Written, September 2024