Father's Day

Happy Father’s day! Today let’s consider some things about the best Father of all.

As we come to the last chapter of the gospel of Luke, we are reminded that God’s love wins. God’s love wins, always. Think about that, always! We have a Father in heaven who gave us His Son, Jesus Christ as a gift of love, a gift of life.

Our Father’s gift conquers sin, it conquers death, it conquers brokenness and separation… Our Father’s gift overcomes the world and brings life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Jesus, God’s gift, was crucified for our sins. He obeyed his Father and died a terrible, cruel, excruciatingly painful death on the cross. All the sins of all humanity were all laid on him as he suffered on that cross, and he was punished for each and every one of our sins as if he had been guilty of them all. He was crushed for our iniquities, he was wounded for our transgressions, he was punished for our sins; the chastisement that brought us peace fell on him. He was despised and afflicted, for our sakes. He, the innocent, suffered so that we, the guilty, might be set free. What a gift! What an ironic work of heaven for humanity!

Jesus’ death in Luke 23 is the heavenly gift and work of salvation for us. Jesus’ resurrection in Luke 24 is the proof that Jesus is the Savior, Son of God, and Lord of life.

Jesus died as our Savior and he rose to prove it and to be our Lord.

Let’s review the 24th chapter and then look at one part of what Luke stresses here and relate it to the topic of Father’s day.

In Luke 24 the story of the risen Jesus unfolds:

First – (1-12) Jesus’ resurrection is announced by angels to some women who have come to the tomb to anoint his body with spices since they could not do so when it was placed in the tomb three days earlier. They ran back to tell the apostles, but they didn’t believe them.

Second – (13-32) Here Jesus appears to two disciples as they are walking to Emmaus. They are prevented from recognizing Jesus even as he converses with them about what the scriptures say concerning himself. They invite him to join them for dinner and as he blessed and broke the bread before them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him as Jesus, and he disappeared.

Third – (33-53) They ran back to report this to the apostles, and while they were speaking, Jesus was suddenly there in their midst. They were all terrified! You’ve got to love how Jesus handled this… He asks them why they are so upset. Then he shows them his hands and feet and says, “Handle me and see, It’s me! A spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones as you see I have.” They still didn’t believe what they were seeing was real and so Jesus said, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in front of them. Can’t you just see that? I imagine they kept those fish bones for a long time!

Then, again, Jesus explained his life, death and resurrection to them from what was written in the scriptures, and he gave them the commission to go preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations starting in Jerusalem. He also promised them heavenly power to do the job.

Not long after that, Jesus ascended to heaven as they saw him go.

Wow!

What a grand finale for the gospel! Jesus, who was crucified, is risen! He fulfilled all that was written about him in the Old Testament scriptures, and now he rules from heaven as Lord of lords and King of kings.

You may ask, “What does this have to do with Father’s Day and fathers today?” I’m glad you asked! It has all kinds of things to do with that.

First, think about God the Father’s relationship with Jesus his Son.

Our Father in heaven has had big plans for Jesus his Son from before the beginning of time. Those plans have been revealed to us throughout the scriptures and Jesus has followed the Father’s plans to the letter, even when it cost him his life. I propose to you that we have a Father/Son relationship here that is a great example of all Father and child relationships (or all parent/child relationships for that matter).

Fathers among us, let me ask, what plans do you have for your children? How are you revealing those plans and preparing your children to follow them? Maybe we have to back up a bit and ask some more basic questions. Are fathers supposed to do this? Are parents supposed to have plans for their children today? Or are we just supposed to bring children into this world and let them go in whatever way the world leads them? Are we just supposed to provide for them so that they can go and find out who they are and follow their own hearts and do whatever they find fulfilling? Is that it? Is that the example God gives us? If not, where in the world did that idea come from? I’ll tell you where… the pit of hell!