A look at the Father character of God as taught and recognized by Jesus as described in the gospels.

Spring 1999

Life of Christ

Cliff Appleby, Instructor

I have no doubt that God has both ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’ characteristics and qualities. As we were made in his image, it seems apparent to me that, generally speaking, God has given some of his characteristics to men and some others to women. We are fortunate that God has all types of parental qualities. This paper will look at the Father character of God as taught and recognized by Jesus as described in the gospels.

There are many definitions that various people may use when asked to describe a ‘father’. Many of us have or had wonderful Fathers. Unfortunately, far too many people have either no father around or, probably even worse, an abusive or negative father in their life. The perspective that we may apply to the concept of ‘God as Father’ is likely (or at least initially) shaped by our own experience with the father, or lack thereof, that we have here on earth.

The sad truth about the impact that a negative or missing father may have on the life of a person is that they might not have any idea of what a good father is like. The concept of God as Father may not mean a whole lot to them – and maybe even for some, the thought of God as Father may be frightening or disturbing. For some people, understanding what God as Father means must start with demonstrating what a good father is like.

Fortunately, Jesus has told us all about what a good father is. If we seek to find out what type of a father God is through the teachings of Jesus, we can learn a lot. Jesus paints a picture of the Father character of God through this parable found in Luke 15:11-24, known as the story of the "Prodigal Son".

Maybe we should refer to that story as "The Amazing Father and The Prodigal Son". The image of a father that is described is so incredible it is almost unbelievable.

Just like the younger son in the story, we have taken what God has given us and have walked away from him. We have wasted our gifts and spent much of our lives in sin. For many of us, we would not consider crawling back to God until we have entirely given up on making it without him – just like the son the story. God, like the father in the story, is waiting for each of us to ‘come home’ – to accept him as Lord and Father. Like that incredible father, God will welcome us, as his children, with open arms.

Although we are born of our parents here on earth, God ‘adopts’ us as his when we accept him God takes us as his own children, and he becomes a ‘father’ to us. And like a good father, he loves his children. J.I. Packer, in his book Knowing God describes God’s love for us in this way, "God receives us as sons, and loves us with the same steadfast affection with which he eternally loves his beloved only-begotten." (Packer: 216). God loves us as much as he loves Jesus, his son.

Jesus desires that we have the same relationship with God as he does – that is a relationship as a son (or daughter). Jesus, speaking of those who will believe in him, said in prayer to God, "…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." (John 17:21) Jesus continues, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:23). Here, Jesus teaches us that God loves us so much, and as a result of that love, we can have the same Father to son / daughter relationship with God that Jesus has.

God’s love for us is first and foremost evidenced by his sending of Jesus to pay for our sins. Jesus himself said it this way, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16,17) Jesus, speaking as the son that God sent, tells us that God loves us so much that he sent him to die and save us from our sin.

God’s love for us, like that of a father or mother, is unchanging and simply will not stop. Henry T. Blackaby wrote this of God’s love, "Father, don’t ever let me look at circumstances and question your love for me. Your love for me was settled on the cross. That has never changed, and never will change." (Blackaby and King: 42) The amazing thing about that statement is that Mr. Blackaby wrote that while his daughter was fighting cancer. God’s love for us is so great that it can be felt even when we may be in the midst of tremendous suffering.

Jesus also tells us that he is preparing a place for us. As God wants his children to ‘come home’, he is making his home ready for our arrival. Jesus tells it this way, "In my Father's house are many rooms; … I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2,3). God, like a good father, is preparing a safe and wonderful place for his children. Jesus tells us that we will be with the Father, forever, in the home that he is preparing for us.

We can learn about who God is by studying the life and actions of Jesus. Jesus said to the disciples, "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him" (John 14:7). This verse tells us that if we study Jesus and his actions while on earth, we will learn about God, and specifically the father nature of God. The bible contains several examples of the actions and character of Jesus, and as we study these, each one will teach of and about God. For example, the story of the woman at the well (John 14) shows God’s compassion, care, omniscience and more. When Jesus healed someone, whether they were blind, sick, crippled, etc., he always did so in a calm, gentle manner. He always addressed them as an individual and a whole person, with the love of a father, (some might say ‘mother’) and met them exactly where they were at. Jesus demonstrated the care and concern that God the Father has for each on of his children in this way.

So what does this mean for us today?

If we accept the fact that God is our Father, then we should live that way. You can talk to God as if he were your father, not some distant being. Tell him you fears and doubts, share your joy and happiness with him, thank and praise him for all that he has done and is doing for you. Jesus did.

To learn more about God the Father, you can study Jesus’ life and actions while he was here on earth. Read the accounts of his interactions with people (woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, etc.) and God (John 17, The Prodigal Son, etc.) Learning about and understanding Jesus will directly show you the Father.

Respect God’s commandments and desires. Jesus did this, even as he was about to be crucified, he still respected God’s plan. Jesus said to Peter, (who was willing to fight to prevent the arrest of Jesus) "Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?" Sometimes, the thing that God would have us do is not something that we would choose, (Thankfully, Jesus took care of dying for our sins, so we will not have to.) but we need to trust and follow God the Father. Jesus did.

Blackaby, Henry T. and King, Claude V. Experiencing God Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1990

Packer, J.I. Knowing God. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1973, 1975.

Wilmington, Dr H. L. Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1981, 1984.

Quoted scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Chicago: Moody Press, 1973, 1978, 1984.