Key Text: John 8: 1- 47
Additional Texts: John 14 – 17; Genesis 4: 8; 2 John 3: 12; John 5: 16 – 30
Happy Fathers’ Day to those men who are involved in some way in being positive models for children and people at large. If today is not quite joyful for you, I pray you will find comfort in this study and be assured that you have a Father who cares about every area of your life. He is a loving Father. He created you, and also protects, guides and loves you despite anything you face: the present, the future, trouble, hardships, famine, persecution, danger, plots, schemes, lies or misrepresentation, loss, bigotry, racism, hate, division/divisive spirits, envy from the insecure, opposition in general, or anything the enemy conjures in those who are available to it – the list is endless. Rest assured – He is such an awesome Father that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8: 26 – 39). Happy Fathers’ day to my Father – my unified, triune God who does not fight against Himself, has good thoughts about me (good thoughts come from good minds!), and cannot be overthrown regardless of the enemy’s schemes (Acts 5: 17 – 39; Matthew 12: 22 – 28).
I also can’t resist conveying special greetings to my three brothers who are all faithful to the role, despite us losing our father at a young age. Have a lovely day and I pray God’s continued blessings over your lives!
As we consider and honour fatherhood today, let us consider how essential it is to guide children (or indeed anyone we lead in positions of trust) appropriately; they do learn a lot from their parents (and leaders), whether it is through verbal lessons, acts of service or implicit instructions which they learn by observing. Though children sometimes go through stages of imitating peers, their core values are likely to be learnt from their families, and in particular, parents or carers. Even if they make choices contradictory to what they were taught in their formative years, Scripture reminds us that it is possible for them to eventually return to their core values. Children may disappoint or embarrass their parents, but in contrast, make them immensely proud when they exhibit admirable qualities. This includes (but is not limited to) traits which the father possesses, and which, I presume, causes fathers to feel an even greater sense of satisfaction.
As it is with natural fathers, there are similarities with God – our Heavenly Father. He delights in our growth and desires for us to ultimately resemble Him (by imitating His Son). (Romans 8: 14 -17, 29; Ephesians 5: 1; Luke 6: 40). He understands our weaknesses and knows that it is not an overnight job, but nonetheless is committed to us being sanctified (gradually evolving or being transformed to resemble Him).
Jesus was fully aware of His identity as God’s Son, and shared this with His disciples and followers in the key texts, additional texts and other Scriptures. He was fully aware of His calling, relationship with His Father, identity and authority, and in the key text, confidently discerned contradictions inspired by the enemy and labelled them for what they were.
The text begins with Jesus teaching on the Mount of Olives. Of course, the Pharisees appeared with the woman caught in adultery to try to trap Him. They had already breached the law by accosting her alone (instead of her and the man) but simply tried to find some dirt on Jesus’ character if they could find (perceived) gaps in His response. He silenced them with His response and continued in His calling. When He continued teaching, Jesus (perhaps discerning their questions about His authority), taught them that He is the Light who will never disappoint. Again, the Pharisees (who clearly hadn’t learned from the most recent interaction that they could find no sin in Jesus), challenged His authority and the validity of His witness. Jesus reminded them that His authority was divine – from the Father. They questioned who His Father was, and Jesus bluntly told them they did not know Him; He knew they were merely engaged in rituals with no real encounter with God, or His fatherhood would be evident in their very beliefs and approach to the One He sent.
Instead of being able to continue His sermon, the dispute about Jesus’ identity continued. When the question of the Jews’ identity as children of Abraham arose, Jesus agreed that they were children of Abraham but were ironically, rejecting some of his messages. Jesus challenged His critics to consider that His Father is God, and though theirs was Abraham (in theory), their actual murderous thoughts were inspired by the enemy. In the text, Jesus authoritatively told them that their true father was not Abraham, or Abraham’s God, but rather the devil – the father of lies. He declared that the father of lies deceived them, because if they were truly children of Abraham and his God, they’d discern His authenticity – surely, they would not have been fighting against Him! Eventually, they accused Jesus of demon possession, and sought to stone Him to kill Him! Jesus exasperation with them was evident in His repeated question about why they were so unwilling to believe Him.
From this text/exchange between Jesus and His critics, we may learn some helpful truths. Firstly, Jesus was merely fulfilling the Father’s call for Him, yet His ministry was repeatedly attacked and disrupted by those who opposed the gospel. Classic. Additionally, His authority was unsettling for those who opposed Him. He was not of the religious clique they deemed worthy, and He blatantly challenged the lies they had believed and promoted. It is interesting that they felt He was not God’s Son and considered Him to be fraudulent, yet they were intimidated by His very presence! Thirdly, Jesus was bold in confronting them with such a harsh truth – their true intentions were demonic/inspired by the enemy. They were serving their true father – the devil!
How might we apply these truths to our interactions and walk with God? It is pertinent that anyone who is called to minister to others for God’s glory expects opposition and persecution. They did it to Jesus and we are no greater, so we will face the same (John 15: 20). Jesus was practically having a church service when His accusers interrupted to debate His identity and oppose His ministry! As shocking and painful as it may feel, do the same thing He did. He continued to teach. He didn’t get as much done as He wanted to in Chapter 8, but slipped away (knowing His hour had not yet come), and continued to share the gospel truths about His identity, heal the sick and confound the Pharisees. They were not willing to accept defeat – by Chapter 8, they reappeared to ‘investigate’ Jesus’ healing/miracle for the blind man. Typical diabolic opponents with no real purpose. Forget being simply happy that the man was no longer disabled!
Jesus showed us resilience in the face of attacks. As He continued to obey the Father, so should we. We simply need to endure and rest assured that He sees every opposition and will fight on our behalf. Resist the temptation to waste precious time in challenging critics, who are ultimately only intent on trying to sabotage what God has destined for your life so they might momentarily feel some satiety about the competition the enemy, (their father), inspired them to construct in their brokenness. Thankfully, a relationship with God is not stagnant, He continues to assure me that He called me and is with me, and will handle every opposition even if He seems tardy. Indeed, the delay in God’s vengeance is often to give the opposition time to repent (the best form of vengeance which completely insults the enemy!). If they continue and don’t repent, He will handle it. Consider it a privilege to suffer for the gospel (even with the pain that accompanies it) – when we do, He is validating us as His true children. On the subject of fatherhood, He allows the attacks to position us to share in His glory (Romans 8: 17 – 18). We may feel the same exasperation as Jesus but looking ahead is encouraging – suffering precedes glory – a glory that the enemy wants to be hidden (James 1: 1 – 18).
Fellow pilgrims, if God has called you to do something, He will enable you to continue in the face of blatant opposition to His work in your life. He helped Jesus to continue His ministry all the way to the cross, and He will help you to accomplish what He ordained for you before your parents even met (Philippians 1: 6)!
Furthermore, as Jesus indicated, and as I stated earlier, true hearts that are interested in honouring God will not oppose His work. That’s contrary to His nature! Anyone who opposes what you’re called to do to build the Kingdom, is ultimately opposing God. As Jesus said, they’re of their father the devil – the author of lies. We must be equally discerning and test motives, but also trust God to deliver and support us in such overwhelming moments. If the enemy deceived others into thinking opposing you will somehow benefit them, trust that God is able to STILL open every door with your name on it (Revelation 3: 7 – 8). Fear of our gifts, testimonies and divine empowerment to glorify God motivates the attacks and ostracism, but God’s commitment to honour His Word supersedes that (Jeremiah 1: 12). Be assured as well that though He may seem silent, God is always working (John 5: 17).
Quiet confidence that God has authority, supports us and honours His Word is pleasing to Him. Why not indicate your privilege of having God as a Father by trusting His Word? I challenge you, as I’ve been doing for myself, to remember that if He’s your Father, He won’t leave or forsake you despite the circumstances (Hebrews 13: 5; Matthew 28: 29). I challenge you to resist the father of lies in whichever form you’ve been deceived to distrust God or question His sovereignty. Jesus wanted His audience to believe Him but they rejected Him (John 1: 11 – 13). Regardless, He still lovingly offers salvation to any who accepts it. Focus. Purpose has to be your guide. Affirm your identity in your Heavenly Father (as His Son, Jesus did in the key text and several other instances in the gospel), to overcome opposition against His plans for you.
Finally, Jesus was able to discern hypocrisy and the evil motivation behind His critics’ actions by being close to the Father. Life in the twenty first century is busy and filled with time-consuming distractions, but prayer (communication with God involving studying the Word to discern His voice), allows us to understand and fortify our identity as God’s children. He is indeed our Father! Likewise, if you are a Christian parent or sow into the lives of children in your biological or spiritual families, remember that in addition to their physical and emotional needs, your children need to develop this confidence too in their identity in God – it will assure them to know that God is their loving Heavenly Father.
Who’s your daddy? That’s a question only you can answer with introspection in alignment with the text and prayer helps too. I completely understand how difficult it may be to pray when you’re overwhelmed with challenges or responsibilities, but as usual, if only for a moment, five minutes or ten, talk to your heavenly Father today. He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the confidence You showed and told us to have in You through Jesus’ approach with His critics. I admit that I struggle to maintain confidence and resist the urge to respond to blatant opposition which goes unchallenged. Help me to discern evil motives and to stand in Your strength in the face of attacks against Your work in my life. Help me to be assured of your willingness to Father me. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name. Amen.
