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Listening to the Father

Luke 9:34-36

 

Fathers hold a special and unique position in life. From a Godly perspective, the position and role of father is one of authority. Many have heard the commonly rendered phrase by the family matriarch, “Wait until your father gets home.” In Hebrew and Greek the term father is connected to dignity. Fathers are the general disciplinarians in the family, given the position by God as “head of household.” It is the job of a father to be a husband to his wife and a leader, role model, provider and example to his children. The essence of fatherhood is slowly loosing its sting. There was a time when the concept of fatherhood was respected by all, but because of neglect and abuse of the office it has become optional and some women feel like they can be mother and father to their children.  This is only because of the genocidal absence of fathers in the home.

 

Despite the world’s view of fatherhood, the Bible tells the story like it should be told. Some of the earliest and most powerful men in the Bible were fathers:

 

1. Noah, the man God charged to save the first world was a faithful and father (Genesis 6:9-18).
2. Abraham, a man of personal sacrifice was a faithful father (Genesis 22:10-12).
3. Moses, the emancipator of Israel was a faithful father (Exodus 4:18-20).
4. Joshua, the Promise Land navigator was a faithful father (Joshua 24:15).

 

One special element connects all of these faithful fathers, influence. Within their own families and even beyond, when they spoke, preached, taught and led, many listened and followed:

 

1. When Noah commissioned his family to do the unthinkable, enter into a boat on dry land, they listened and followed.
2. When Abraham proclaimed the sacrifice of his son Isaac, neither Sarah nor Isaac complained. When Moses commissioned his family to leave the comforts of Midian, the protection of father and grandfather, and travel into a deadly Egypt, they listened and followed.
3. When Joshua challenged Israel, he had full confidence in the followship of his family.

 

How blessed is the concept of fatherhood when its official duties are executed with love and spiritual precision. It is such a special a position, elders and deacons must first be proven fathers before they become biblical leaders in the church of Christ (1 Timothy 3:4-5; 12). When truly observing the role of fatherhood, it is one of respect, dignity, and influence. When daddy speaks, his children listen.

 

In the text of this lesson, God emphatically helps all ultimately understand who has the power to speak and the authority to influence. Peter thought he could listen to Moses and Elijah, but Father God had to set the record straight (Luke 9:28-36). If one understands the importance of following after an earthly/biological father, surely one can conceive of the necessity of following the God and Father of heaven.  God said with reference to who holds religious authority today, “…This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Luke 9:35).

 

Jesus Christ speaks on the behalf of His Father. Jesus said:

 

1. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). 

2. “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10).

 

When we listen to Jesus we are listening to the commanded Words of the God the Father. Observe the title of the message, Listening to the Father. Psalms 111:9 indicates that Holy and Reverend is the name of God. Because of that, when God speaks, all must not only listen, but obey. Many children can recall the deep stern voice of their father. That voice, that pace, that breathing, the way the door opened, the way the eyes gazed, they caused immediate action. You can recognize the presence of daddy without him speaking. You can simply hear his steps. Remember Adam and Eve. “And they heard the voice of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).

 

1. When daddy said get up, the children within earshot leaped out of bed.
2. When daddy said come straight home after school, straight home it was.
3. When daddy said eat the food, the food was eaten.
4. When daddy said I will be there, he arrived on time.
5. When daddy said I love you, it generated internal fulfillment and a feeling of being special. When daddy said I will protect you, there was instant protection.

 

The same results and feelings should occur with God. When He warns all should take heed, and when He promises all should believe.  

 

What did God say?

 

When God speaks, His creation must listen. God gives warnings, commandments, and encouragements. Like an earthly father who loves his children, God will never direct His elect in the wrong direction. When He returns, bringing the world to a physical end, for those who fail to obey, they will only have themselves to blame. Listen to the Father.

Ammar Saheli