My Father’s Son

You can now listen to the weekly reflections on the Wisdom in a Whisper Podcast.

Today is Father’s Day, and this week’s reflection will come from the 15th chapter of Luke and the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Before I begin, please be sure to show the fathers and father figures in your lives some love. I happen to be the stepfather to a wonderful kiddo that I call “Bean.” So I send a special shoutout to all the step-dads out there. When I first became a stepdad, I tried to get my hands on everything and anything I could read to prepare. At some point in my research, I realized that I have a great example of pulling from probably the world’s least known or perhaps least recognized step-parent, Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father. There is not much written in scripture about Joseph, but we do know a few things. 1. We know he was a carpenter, and Mark 6 chapter 3 tells thus that Jesus at one point also made a living as a carpenter.  Though Joseph does not get much mention in the gospel story, we do know that Jesus’s earthly father did have an influence on him. 

One of my favourite pastimes is working in the yard. I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with a freshly cut lawn, and I delight in creating a different pattern in my lawn with each cut. I enjoy shaping the hedges, ensuring an even cut along the top, smooth and uniformed edges, and an even trim across the front, resulting in a view from the street that is neither too deep, exposing the bare branches in the interior part of the shrub nor not too shallow as to look unkept. The next step is a precise cut along the edging, creating a clear and consistent boundary to the lawn.  However, the job is never complete until I take my Black and Decker leaf blower to remove the clippings from the garden and the driveway. As you can see, to me, yardwork is more than a chore; it’s an art. It’s a passion I learned from my father, and I take great pride and joy in it because I am my father’s son. 

I believe that manhood involves being present, taking responsibility for one’s actions, working hard even when the work is hard, walking with integrity, and telling someone the truth even when it’s hard for them to hear it, but doing so with care and compassion because I am my father’s son. 

The impact fathers have on their children's lives is profound. The impact my father has had on my life is profound. I remember one occasion when I was a younger, more foolish man; I decided to stay out late at one of our local pubs. The time was around 2 am, and instead of being at home at rest, in my bed, I was at the bar engaged in empty banter with the bartender and a few new “best friends.” Suddenly, in walked my father. He calmly insisted that I close my tab, bid the late-night crowd farewell, and escorted me home, where he sat me down at the dinner table. He calmly expressed concern for me and my decision-making and reminded me that nothing good rarely happens out on the town during those hours. However, there was a more significant lesson taught and received that evening. Let me explain.

In the book of Luke, chapter 15, we find Jesus surrounded by sinners and tax collectors. It is essential to understand that these were people of low esteem within the culture of the time. As Jesus engaged with the crowd, the Pharisees looked on with disdain. “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” they state. Luke 15:2. In response, Jesus tells the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Luke 15:4-7. 

4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the [a]open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

There is so much contained in this parable. I could write ten messages from this text alone. Apart from being a message to the Pharisees about their self-righteous attitude, and a reminder that they should rejoice at the sight of the lost sinners being rescued and saved and given hope, this parable gives us a glimpse of the character of our Heavenly Father, the Shepherd, who, out of love, leaves the 99 to seek after us and rescues us where we are and from our sin condition. That evening with my father, and like many others, he exemplified the love and care of our Heavenly Father. 

Fatherhood is a tremendous responsibility and honour. The Bible teaches us of the profound influence fathers and father figures have on their children and those under their influence. For those whose earthly fathers are or have been absent, know that you have a father in heaven who loves you with unfailing love, and no matter where you go and in what condition you are in, he will seek after you, rescue you and restore you. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we were made in His likeness, we are His image bearers, and Romans 8:38 reminds us that nothing in this world can separate you from His love. You are your Father’s child, and our Heavenly Father is good and faithful. 

I hope that this message is an encouragement and a blessing to you. Happy Father’s Day. Be safe, be well, and God bless. 

Yours in Christ,