A young man had been fleeing from the law, and his concerned father tried desperately to reach him. When his son finally called from a city far away, the dad convinced him to turn himself in and even took a flight to retrieve him. As he later described the trip to friends, the loving father said with unmistakable warmth, “He’s my son!”
Families come in all shades of brokenness, and our dysfunction wages war on love. But family relationships possess a resilience that’s not easily removed. Brokenness can’t destroy real love. The young man and his father shared a loving relationship and a last name.
As Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus, he said, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15 NIV). What did Paul mean by “derives its name”? One commentary says that this is “God’s creative act of calling [us] into existence and ruling over [us].” Our existence springs from God—our Father—and He wants to restore the family relationship. When we turn in repentance to Him, we step into a relationship that can never be destroyed.
It fascinates me that as Jesus prepared to go to the cross, He emphasized God’s name, praying, “Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them [the disciples] by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are” (John 17:11-12). Jesus then extended His prayer to include all of us who were yet to believe in Him (John 17:20-21). He unites us by the power of our heavenly Father’s name.
Because of the power of God’s name, we can enjoy the kind of loving unity that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share. He will never abandon us. The family relationship is much too strong.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 24:28-67
More:
What light does John 1:10-12 shed on your relationship with God?
Next:
How do you show appreciation for the reconciliation God has offered? What does it mean for you to know that you have a heavenly Father who deeply loves you?
Gary Shultz on January 15, 2017 at 6:44 am
Hi Tim: As I unpack this in my mind I see a loving relation you experienced and one that is reflected in this post. Love that comes from the inside out, not because of the blood relationship, as the John 1:10-12 indicates. God’s chosen rejected Him and the doors were opened to all who believed. As you have experienced in your life when it comes to relationships its not just the family line, it’s the family love. Christ paid for the birthright of anyone who believes, and in him will be the Father. Yes, and Holy is His name. Not a blood birth, but a blood belief, a binding “legal” transaction sanctioned, totally sealed by the greatest Beings in existence. We now have a different blood relationship that has been securely fastened to eternity. One of my favorite vs, before “political correctness police” is Rev.21:7, He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. What more could one ask? Thanks STBP
tim gustafson on January 15, 2017 at 9:00 am
“A blood belief.” Gary, that’s a beautiful phrase! Paid for in Jesus’ blood. As I learned the verse (also politically incorrect) way back in the day, “Great love hath no man than this …” A happy incidental to the above story. This young man (no longer so young now) was also adopted. Years ago, he moved away. Last year he came by to visit, and he’s doing wonderfully. Loves the Lord; leads a small group Bible study. Ah, the power of love and prayer! —STBP
lha2017 on January 15, 2017 at 6:14 pm
“What light does John 1:10-12 shed on your relationship with God?”
Personally, it’s the hope and peace that I’m not separated from God by race or even sin, which is a great relief! What the Jews of the time rejected became hope for ALL humanity.
“How do you show appreciation for the reconciliation God has offered? What does it mean for you to know that you have a heavenly Father who deeply loves you?”
By prayer, and by asking His Help in doing the right thing (or, conversely, avoiding the temptation to do the WRONG thing!) It means He listens, and helps, if only I’m willing to lay my head on His Shoulder and tell Him my woes, my frustrations, and my aggravations. It means hope of becoming a better person than I am right now, and of seeing others in a compassionate light.