“The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.” (Proverbs 23:24 NLT)
The best Father allowed His only Son to give His life on a Cross for the sins of mankind. That kind of love is beyond our comprehension. Why would I say that? Because I’ve never met a man willing to sacrifice his only son for anyone or anything. Love and sacrifice don’t seem to go together when speaking of a father’s love for his child; yet that’s exactly the example of God’s greatest love for us.
John 3:16, perhaps the most quoted verse in the Bible declares: “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” I’m afraid if your eternal life was dependent upon the sacrifice of my son, you’d be lost forever. Perhaps that’s the anguish we see revealed in the garden when Jesus was begging His Father to “let this cup pass from Me.” (Matthew 26:39)
If that’s the epitome of love, how can we, as a human father, learn from that and gain insight into how to be the best dad we can possibly be? What comes to mind is my highest aspiration for my son (my children), and that is for him to die to himself (themselves) and be resurrected in newness of life in Jesus. Death to self is still involved, but in a much less literal way than when Jesus laid down His life for us.
What a vivid illustration of the love of God as our heavenly Father, willing to not withhold anything for our good, even to the sacrifice of the life of His only Son. What a picture for us as earthly fathers as we view the lives of our children. What are we willing to give up in order for our children to grow up to be mature, committed Jesus followers?
Isn’t it ironic that in most cases we have children when we’re in the midst of our most trying years as a man, a “bread winner?” We’re trying to find our own way in the world, working long hours trying to make ends meet, wanting to be all we can be for our family, but selling ourselves to the highest bidder. But when we’re honest, it’s really for us. We want to be all we can be to prove to everyone, but mostly ourselves, that we’re worth it, that we deserve the proverbial “good life.”
But at what cost? Our kids grow up barely seeing and hardly knowing their dad. What memories they have are maybe birthdays or those rare vacations. There’s rarely an effort to pass on our faith, largely because we have little to spare, it just hasn’t been a priority. Then, in our later years (if ever) we get serious about our faith, but since it wasn’t a priority when our kids were home, they could now care less.
So, what am I saying? The best thing a “good” father can do for his kids is to love Jesus when they’re young. And what’s the best example of a Jesus loving father? Love their mother well! Treat their mother with the respect and dignity she deserves. Take your family to church, but don’t leave Jesus there, bring Him home. Pray over meals and take time to pray with the kids when they go to bed and together as a family.
Let Jesus not only be your highest personal priority, but your highest priority as a Father. Lead your family in worship in a loving, but fun and enjoyable way. Get creative and involve the kids. It’s our highest joy to love and serve Jesus, let that joy overflow into your family’s worship.
I concur with Dr. Billy Grahm’s words when he said: “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 