The Perfect Father

Jesus had a lot to say about "the Father." He made numerous references to our heavenly Father in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:7). I have selected three paragraphs in each of the chapters that teach us something very important about God. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV).

Jesus often used the expression, "You have heard that it was said...but I tell you..." The point Jesus was making here is that God's children are supposed to imitate their Father in Heaven. People usually excuse themselves for their less-than-perfect behavior. What Jesus was telling them to do in this passage would cause many to say, "I cannot do that because I am not perfect." This may be true but Christians should do their best to be perfect. It is like starting a course in school and deciding to attempt for "100" on every assignment or test. God is perfect and he wants us to try and be like him.

Another thing we learned from Jesus about God our Father is that he knows our needs even before we ask; but he wants us to ask nonetheless. Jesus taught his disciples to pray by giving this model prayer: "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one '" (Matthew 6:7-13 NIV)

Prayer includes petitioning God for what we need. Jesus taught us to first pray about the things that pertain to God and then our own needs. If we "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" and if we ask, then "all these things will be given to you" (see Matthew 6:32-33).

The last point that we will consider is this article is that God our heavenly Father wants to give us "good gifts." Jesus said, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11). Human parents generally want to give their children good things. That is why they make such an effort to get just the right gift(s) at Christmas and birthdays. If we care about this, how much more does "our Father in heaven."

All of these things plus who he is (his divine attributes) make God "the Perfect Father."

Celebration of Light

Two thousand years ago, about the time of Christ's birth, there was a Jewish sect that was called the Essenes who lived primarily on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. The name "Essenes" means "Holy Ones." They lived an ascetic lifestyle and closely followed the Jewish Law. Existing in the desert required hard work and a commitment to community.

Down through the millennia, light has stood for and represented divine inspiration and guidance. Quite naturally light has been a central feature in religious celebrations such as Hanukkah and Christmas. In Hanukkah, Jews remember that during the time of the Macabees the one-day of supply of oil miraculously lasted eight days. At Christmas, Christians celebrate the incarnation of light in Jesus' birth and life.

The Essenes considered themselves to be "the children of light." They viewed the world as being made up of "children of light" and "children of darkness." The Essenes saw a struggle between the forces of good and evil in the world.

One day some years ago while visiting Qumran, the site of their community ruins, I picked up a white and black stone. I have kept these in the pencil tray of my desk drawer to remind myself of this spiritual battle. We are all acutely aware of this today from the 24/7 news about the war on terrorism and frequent reports of crime.

Each day everyone of us has to make choices that will affect others and ourselves. Will we act according to the light of revelation, whether it is what is written in our heart (conscience) or Scriptures; or will we follow the base, lower, and sinful side of self? Will we conduct ourselves as "children of light" or "children of darkness" is the question that we all daily decide. (John 12:36).

In his "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus told his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).