Christian fathers who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and who show the love of Jesus to their families are increasingly rare. The biblical standard for manhood is under attack in our society like never before. May our Lord illuminate our minds to see through the fog of deceptive lies about being a godly man, husband and father.
In honor of Father’s Day, I have some applications from the beatitudes, or blessings, of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, similar to the blog I wrote for Mother’s Day this year. Dads, I pray these blessings from Jesus encourage your soul this Father’s Day.
Please remember that Jesus’ beatitudes do not describe how to earn a relationship with God because it is impossible to earn eternal life by human effort. It must be received as the gracious gift of God that it is. Rather, Jesus reveals what it looks like to live in the right relationship with God. Religion changes external behavior but the right relationship with God changes us from the inside out. That’s why Jesus begins this sermon with this list of beatitudes, all internal qualities that create external transformation.
Consider these applications for godly fathers:
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Blessed is the father who depends on God to restore his soul, not on his efforts to earn righteousness.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
Blessed is the father who finds comfort in Jesus when life is dry and times are tough.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Blessed is the father who remembers that his stuff will one day be gone but the people who fill his life will live for eternity.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Blessed is the father who realizes that pursuing God is the most fulfilling adventure in life.
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Blessed is the father who has tough skin and a soft heart.
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Blessed is the father whose life is transformed from the inside out by the holiness of God.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Blessed is the father who takes the lead in making peace with others.
Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Blessed is the father who stands strong in the faith amid the temptation to bow the knee to lesser idols.
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Blessed is the father who is criticized and opposed for his faith in Jesus. When his children witness his faithful stand for what is right and true, it will leave a lasting mark on their lives. A dad like that should rejoice because Jesus knows what it is like to be despised and rejected by others when standing for truth (Isaiah 53:3).
From all of us at SWRC, we wish all the dads a happy Father’s Day! May our Lord bless you as you walk with Him!