12th April 2024
A Father we can trust
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.
I John 3:1 (NRSVUE)
I recently read of a barbaric practice that happened throughout the Roman Empire. The Romans ruled for almost 1,000 years and their empire at its zenith included three continents, Asia Minor, northern Africa, and most of Europe. Its influence was extensive.
This practice involved a newborn baby being placed at a father’s feet. If he reached down and picked the baby up, the child was accepted as his own, welcomed into the family, given the family name, and could enjoy all the privileges of being a family member. But if the father turned and walked away, for whatever reason, the child was thrown out into the street and disowned. The thought of this happening at all, at any age, is heartbreaking but to do this to a vulnerable newborn baby beggars belief. This, however, was the world of the Roman occupation in which the Apostle John and the early Christians lived. They would have been aware of this horrible practice, and it was reported that many Christians took in these unwanted babies to care for them.
The ‘paterfamilias’ or ‘father of the family’ had absolute rule over his household and children. As is the case today, some fathers were good, others not so much.
John in his letter reassures these early Christians, and us, that our heavenly Father is good. He loves and accepts all of his children, and he will never turn his back on us and walk away. We know this because of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. God has reached down into our humanity and lifted us up in his Son. He has placed his name on us, and welcomes us into his family with all of the privileges of being a full family member.
The incarnation reveals the Father to us. Everything we see Jesus do, and say, tells us something about who the Father is. In John 14:9 we read, ‘Jesus answered: “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…” ’ (NIV). Jesus never does or says anything that would contradict the Father’s own heart and character.
With this understanding, the Apostle John boldly proclaims the love of the Father for us, and reminds us of what we have been given as his children: ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.’ (1 John 3:2 NRSVUE).
The best news is that we don’t have to wait until Jesus Christ returns; we are God’s children now. We have been given the family name and we will live under his care and protection forevermore.
Prayer
Dear Abba, you are our loving Father and in you we can have absolute trust. You will never turn away from us or abandon us because we are your children, and you are our good, good Father. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
Study by Jackie Mill
About the writer:
Jackie Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church