For Christians, Fathers Day is not only a time to celebrate fathers and fatherhood,
but also a reminder of our heavenly Father’s unconditional love for all his children.
In his parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, Jesus gives us a glimpse into
the heart of true fatherhood. You remember the story. A man had two sons. The younger
demanded his share of the inheritance and left home with it, squandering everything
in wild living until he was destitute. Finally…
17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How
many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be
called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up
and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father
saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms
around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:17-20 NIV)
Even though the father had been disrespected and taken advantage of, he did not
respond by domineering or retaliating. Instead, he patiently waited for his son
to come to himself and return home. Without hesitation he ran to him and received
him with joy.
There are at least two lessons here. One is that God never ceases to love us
deeply and unconditionally in spite of our sin and foolishness.
The other lesson teaches us about the transforming power of unconditional love
in a parent child relationship. In the prodigal’s darkest hour, he remembers how
much better he had it at home with his father. Even though he only expects to be
treated like a servant, he is drawn back home by his trust that his father will
receive him in spite of how he has acted.
When the older son complains that the father has treated his younger brother
too well after his outrageous behavior, the father explains:
‘My son,’ the
father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had
to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:31-32 NIV)
It’s a message of hope for all of us, whether we are selfish, greedy and impetuous
like the younger son, or self-righteous, judgmental and bitter like the older son.
Through all our sin and rebellion, God stands with us, waiting patiently for us
to come home.
Jesus told this parable because he wants us to know the Father’s love for us.
And knowing the Father’s love, may all of us who are fathers or father figures learn
to love our children as our heavenly Father loves us.
I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.