Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

In celebrating Father’s Day it is worth pondering how Jesus related to His heavenly Father because, from it, we might be able to discover some kind of heavenly pattern, design or blueprint that helps define earthly fatherhood for us.

BLUEPRINTS OF FATHERHOOD

By Dr   D

In celebrating Father’s Day it is worth pondering how Jesus related to His heavenly Father because, from it, we might be able to discover some kind of heavenly pattern, design or blueprint that helps define earthly fatherhood for us. In this day and age, we certainly need it! The Book of Matthew provides a few clues, in the “My Father” verses spoken by Jesus. Let’s have a quick scan of them.

1.    The heavenly Father’s Will is to be Obeyed. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” The earthly father is to respect and obey his own spiritual Father before claiming any such rights for himself.  

2.    Fatherhood has a spiritual responsibility. Matt 10:32-33 says, “everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Earthly fathers are to live out and characterize true fatherhood in the family.  

3.    Fatherhood calls for childlike faith. Matt 11:26-27 says, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants… All things have been handed over to Me by My Father.” Fathers cannot afford to have “good ideas” in the absence of “God ideas.” 

4.    Fathers need ongoing revelation from God for personal growth and for the wellbeing of their family. Matt 16:17 says, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Peter was not the first or the last to get a true “revelation” or perspective of what was going on around him; all earthly fathers need it.

5.    Fathers are expected to be men of prayer. Matt 18:19 says, “if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” Don’t leave prayer to the women! Fathers are to pray.

6.    Godly fathers will be rewarded. Matt 25:34 says, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” The perseverance, faithfulness and patience of fathers will pay off in the long run. The Lord will not forget you.

7.    Living a discipled life is crucial for personal and family victory. Matt 26:42 says, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” In a world of stress, distraction and temptation, living in the spirit and not in the flesh is the only true recipe for ultimate victory.

8.    An earthly father should call on his heavenly Father. Matt 26:53-54 says, “do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” As adopted sons, father’s need to draw on their spiritual weapons and fight for themselves, their families and their futures.  

When celebrating Father’s Day, reflect on these “My Father” verses and live them out as a true model of fatherhood. The world desperately needs them !!