God's Model for Fatherhood

Today, Sunday, June 15, 2008 is Father's Day but it is not a big deal as compared to Mother's Day. Restaurants are not as full as during Mother's Day. Why? Are fathers less important than mothers? Fathers are not sentimental as mothers but they, more often than not, rise up to the occasion when needed, to lead his family in righteousness and unity.

Read Luke 15:11-13. This is the story of the prodigal son who asked his father to give him in advance the share of the estate that would belong to him should his father die of any cause. He squandered all his money in dissolute living and a famine broke out in that distant land where he lived and he was in dire need.

WHAT BREAKS A DADDY'S HEART?

1. withdrawal from the father's love and presence. . . the father was hurt when the prodigal son asked for his inheritance and left for a distant land with the intention of severing the ties with his father . . . not anymore depending on his provisions and caring attention.

2. wastage of what his father gave him. . . he squandered all his money on dissolute living. The father must have earned that money using his sweat, blood and tears but the prodigal son wasted everything that was given to him. Sometimes, fathers would like their kids to experience a better life than what they had experienced and so they break their backs trying to earn more so the kids would live an affluent life but forgot that quality time with the kids, teaching them what they should learn, is far more important than material things.

3. violation of his dad's moral values. . . the prodigal son had a dissolute or immoral life, hurting his father all the more if he had known what his life was. In 2 Samuel 19:1, David was shaken and wept over the death of his son, Absalom, who tried to dethrone and kill him saying as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" When we do immoral or even depart from our father's teachings, we not only hurt ourselves but more so our fathers.

These are exactly what would also break the heart of God, our heavenly Father. Do you realize how much he is hurt when you stop praying? . . .the very reason is you are too busy with your work? Or when you feel bored reading the Bible because you don't understand His word? Or you don't want to listen to Him because His every word restricts your freedom to do the things you want? He has given you the fruits of the Spirit, the wisdom and knowledge to guide you in your travel here on earth but you never pass it on to others. You kept it to yourself afraid that your friends might think that you are weird to believe in such things. You do not want to be humiliated infront of others but taking the risk of earning the ire of God for disowning Him like Peter did. And finally, crossing overboard, doing the very things that God told you not to do because your flesh is weak and you were tempted to do it. Does God have feelings? O yes! He does! He is hurt everytime you commit a sin. . . that means you are severing your ties with him. . . going somewhere distant and very far from Him. Why is He hurt? Jeremiah 31:3 God said, 'I haved loved you with an everlasting love; with tender kindness I have drawn you.' He loves you so much that He gave His only Son to pay for all your sins. What more will He not give to you?

HOW DO WE BUILD UP DAD?

1. seek out his fellowship one more time. . .

These are the words that hold a family together: "I was wrong. . ., I am sorry. . ., Please forgive me. . ., I love you!"

Take your dad to dinner, go with him to a place where he wants to go, do things together with him. . . talk to him, or maybe sing with him. That would make him glad.

Like what the prodigal son did in Luke 15:18, he went back to his father and asked forgiveness from him and from God thereby putting himself again under his loving care.

2. respect his authority as a father. . .

In Luke 15:19, the prodigal son told his father to just treat him as a hired servant. . . humbling himself and giving his father control over him, not abusively but restraining his actions for his own benefit.

3. carry a positive attitude. . .

In Luke 15:22, the prodigal son accepted the grace his father gave him and they went on to celebrate his return. His father was full of joy because his "son was dead and has come back to life"; "he was lost and is found".

4. love our brothers and sisters. . .

It would be a different scenario, if the elder son looked for his younger sibling and brought him back to his father. The father would be so much delighted to see them together hand in hand walking towards him.

The same is true with God. . . He is delighted when we seek our lost brothers and sisters and bring them to God. He is delighted when we joyfully share His word to them. He is delighted when we sing praises together and honor His Name. He is so much delighted when we commune with Him together in prayer and read His word with so much passion and love.

Father's Day is not only an opportunity for families to honor dads, it's also a chance for dads to reflect on what it means to be a good father. What your kids would remember are not the big material things. . .but what you do day in and day out consistently for them. Are you forgiving of their faults? Do you love them unconditionally? Like the good father of the prodigal son, would you joyfully accept them back if they return to you? Would you draw nearer to them when they go near to you? Our God is the best model for fatherhood, be like Him and forgive your prodigal son or daughter. Welcome him or her back to your fold with lovings arms and compassion.