The Jesus We Need to Know, A Loving and Comforting Father

Two of the names of Jesus: Everlasting Father, and Immanuel, which is God with us.

 

Isaiah 9: 6:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Matthew 1: 23:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 

Being a parent is a hard job. My husband Murray and I saw doing this job as the most important thing God gave us to do, and we both admit we often failed. No person can be a perfect parent.

 

And yet, I believe that everyone, in some way, hungers for the love and support of a parent.

 

I believe that most parents do the best they can. But the most important thing we can do is let our kids know that there is an everlasting father, who wants to walk with them every day of their lives. He wants to meet every parenting need they have.

 

The older I get, the longer I’ve been a Christian, I still have so many days when I hunger for a father’s unconditional love and help. I feel bombarded by my wrongs, my fears. I need a parent’s comfort.

 

Years ago, I heard my friend Lis sing a song called, “you’ll always Be a Child in My Eyes,” explaining that even when we grow old, God still loves us like a father loves a child.

 

Hebrews 12:9-10:

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

 

I confess, I do not pretend to understand what all is meant by God’s discipline. However, I’ll share a story from Matthew 14:25 and following:

 

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

 

Jesus gave Peter the chance to have an adventure. He later reproached Peter for his lack of faith, but he still immediately reached out his hand to catch him.

 

God often leads me to verses of hope in his word, some familiar and some not, and I hope these remind you of his father’s love, no matter what your age.

 

1 Peter 5:7:

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

 

Psalm 103:13-14:

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

 

Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Isaiah 46:4:

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.