The Parable of the Loving Father

Father's day is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of June. So today, June 17 is their special day.  Let me share a wonderful Father's day message that we heard from church today.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is a very popular story in the Bible but I like how our Pastor focused this time on the loving-kindness of the father rather than the sins of the son.

The Parable of a Loving Father 

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So 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.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² 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.’” 

What a wonderful story showing the amazing forgiveness, grace, and love of the father just like our God the Father in heaven!

 

There are four qualities of a good father the bible wants him to be. He should ... 

1. Presents to his children the model of what kind of life should be. Children follow what they see, so fathers should show to his children a good example of being a good man. This is called imitated modelling which is the most powerful kind of modeling.

2. Prepares for the future of his children. A hardworking father provides education for his children and saves for their future.  Blessed are the children if they have parents who are willing to deprive themselves for the sake of their children.

3. Perseveres in his love for his children.  Children may be stubborn but a father should always love unconditionally.  He should be always be available whenever his children need him.

4. Provide the children with second chance in time when they made mistakes.

The son got all his inheritance, left to squander everything and after realizing his mistakes came back to his father.  The father lovingly welcomed his son back and gave him a second chance. 

Our children will make mistakes and we should always be willing to forgive and start all over again.

My own father, Tatay Romy passed away many years ago.  He was such a generous and loving father to us.  I thank God for him and for all the things he has done for us.

Unfortunately, not everybody is blessed with a good father. But it is not a valid reason to waste your life and dwell in your problems.  Go on with you life, walk in the ways of God and soon you will be rewarded.

This day, I am dedicating this special post to the father of my children.  To my beloved husband for being a responsible, hardworking and loving father to Matt and Belle.  Daddy, I always pray for God to bless you with good health, wisdom and  protection every minute of the day, all the days of your life.  Happy father's day! We love you very much!