What is a “good, good” father?
Some of us sing a worship song with those words, but what defines “good?” As Father’s Day is right around the corner, you are probably reflecting on what your earthly father is like or was like if they have passed away. And if you’re a dad, this holiday gives you a chance to reflect on your fatherhood as well. On a long walk this morning, I was thinking about the dad I’ve been to our three girls, all adults now.
There are three times in Scripture that the Aramaic word, “Abba” is used: Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 4:4-7; Mark 32-36. What a beautiful name to be called! Abba means “Daddy” or “Father” with a meaning of affection, intimacy and respect. As we think about our own fatherhood, we mustn’t compare ourselves to others, but to God the Father and Jesus as the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3).
The first thing that I thought about was the deep love that our Heavenly Father has for His Son, Jesus. In the Gospel of John (15:9 NLT) we read Jesus saying, “I have loved you (His disciples then and us now) even as the Father has loved me.” Think about that for a minute—Jesus loves YOU just as the Father loves Him! And it’s a love that doesn’t change, never diminishes and is always lavish. That’s how a good, good father loves his kids. What if we really believed that Jesus does love us that much, would it change the way we love our own children and others?
The second thing that struck me was that no matter what we’ve thought OR not thought, said OR not said, and done OR not done, our Heavenly Father sent Jesus to offer us forgiveness for all our sins: past, present, and future. The plan that was created before the beginning of time, to reconcile us back to the Father, required a sacrifice, the cost of Jesus’ very life.
A good, good father does whatever it takes to try to restore relationships in his family. Often this requires setting aside our own agendas, lots of time, sometimes money, a killing of our own pride, uncomfortable conversations and setting of boundaries. I say, “try to” restore relationships, as we are responsible for doing our part to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Sometimes, no matter how we try, others will make choices that bring us grief. But good, good fathers forgive anyway, because God through Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
- Are there any areas where you need to forgive your earthly father?
- Do you need to ask your kids for forgiveness?
- What’s one step of reconciliation you can take with your kids or your father?
- Who can help hold you accountable to do it?
This Father’s Day, let’s thank our good, good Heavenly Father and for His example in the flesh—Jesus! And that we don’t have to be perfect because He is!
By Pastor Jim Herzberg
Epic Christian Church, Florence, AZ