The Delight of the Father

The Delight of the Father
If we were to broach the topic of God the Father, what would first come to your mind? It would seem, in many circles, that people tend to forget about the Father. Certainly, the Father lifts up the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Spirit testifies to Him also. Even so, we cannot overlook the Father. For, just as the Son and the Spirit, He is worthy of worship and praise.

There are some who have the misconception that the Father is all doom and gloom, ready to destroy mankind without mercy and compassion, so Jesus had to step in to satiate the bloodlust of His Father. This is certainly not the picture that the Bible gives us of the Father. In fact, we are given the exact opposite. It is the Father who sends the Son to accomplish the work of redemption (John 20:21). It is because of the great love of the Father that the Son came. In fact the Apostle John was enamored by this very love that he wrote, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…” (1 John 3:1).

It is the love of the Father that sent the Son. Furthermore, the Father delights in the salvation of the lost. In Luke 15 Jesus tells three parables. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son are some of the most well known in many Christian circles. However, in the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) Jesus teaches us that just as the woman who finds the coin celebrates, so it is in heaven. Jesus says that there is “joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” It is not that the angels are the ones doing the rejoicing. Rather, there is joy before them! It is the Father who rejoices in the presence of the angels. Just as the woman calls her friends to come and rejoice, so the Father rejoices in the presence of the angels to draw them into His rejoicing.

Jesus tells His followers, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). What a comfort it is to know that in Christ I have such a Father. Though I would say with David, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him” (Psalm 8:3-4)? And yet, He cares for us. What a great comfort, joy, and privilege it is to know the love of the Father found in Christ Jesus. May we all rest in that love today and everyday.

Grace be with you, 
C. R. Hamilton