Jesus And God As Father

In the few Spirit-handpicked examples of people of faith, on whom we have been focused throughout this Father’s Day week, we can safely say that to honour one’s father is viewed in relation to Father God.

It has placed completely new Spiritual wisdom and understanding before us. We who have been hearing and receiving are now able to admit that whoever our earthly father is, was or will become, does not in any way cancel the miracle plan which God has wrought in men, for them to be fathers. We also accepted that to honour one’s father, may not necessarily be one’s physical birth-father, but one’s Spiritual birth-father.

Filled with new and different thinking, confident of the working of the Holy Spirit in us, we conclude this week by taking a glimpse at Jesus. Why Jesus? You ask. Yes Jesus, because He is the Son of Man and the Son of God. Yes Jesus, because He has an earthly father and a Heavenly Father. Yes Jesus, because He is the living example of how we are to honour our Father in Heaven.

Our first observation comes when Jesus was twelve years old. He had gone to Jerusalem with His family as was their custom, to celebrate the Passover. However, at the end, He did not go back home with His family. After searching for Him for a few days, they found Him in the temple courts discoursing with the learned people. When His mother spoke to Him about His behaviour and how He had worried her and his father, this was what the twelve year old Jesus said to them. Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? Luke 2: 49b NKJV. Jesus is honouring Father God, putting the business of His Heavenly Father above the business of His earthly father and mother.

This question is asked of you. Whom are you honouring, in terms of the business in which you are presently engaged?

Our second observation comes when Jesus is much older, yet He has not officially come out, as it were, doing the miracles and works of His Heavenly Father. He is at a wedding feast with His mom and disciples, when a most embarrassing situation arises. Mary puts her Son on the spot, saying that He will fix the problem. Dear woman, why do you involve me? Jesus replied. My time has not yet come. John 2: 4. In this loaded response, is not Jesus showing that He is not just about His Father’s business, but He will honour Him even in the timing of when He is to work or not work?

This question is asked of you. Are you honouring Father God, even in the timing of the works you do or do not do for Him?

Our third observation comes when Jesus is fully into His Father’s work on earth. He is speaking to His disciples, not the world, but to those who will follow Him. He has told them that He is the vine and His Father is the gardener and if they remain in Him and His words remain in them, they will ask what they wish and it will be granted. Then Jesus speaks these most precious words to them. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 8. In being a True Vine, Jesus is honouring His Father, when His disciples, because they remain in Him, bear much fruit. It honours the Father to His distinct glory.

This question is asked of you. Are you honouring Father God even with the company you keep? If they remain close to you, following your lead as one who is indwelt by the Spirit, are they bearing the fruit you are bearing, the fruit of the Spirit, to the honour of the Father?

Our final observation is different, but O so true. It shows clearly that Jesus respects and honours Father God for who He is, not being ashamed to expose who He is to the obedient and the disobedient. Jesus has just told the parable of the Unmerciful Servant. He says that the master, in anger at the behaviour of his forgiven servant, turns him over to be tortured until he could repay his debt. Then Jesus ends with these most crushing, scary, harsh words. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. Matthew 18: 35. Can you not see? Jesus is honouring His Father by being true to all His ways. He does not try to hide or soften any harshness of God. He honours His Father by being truthful about who He is.

This question is asked of you. Are you honouring Father God in all His ways, or are you trying to hide His anger by showing and speaking only what is nice and pleasant?

Honour your Father!