Jesus dared to call God His Father

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:18 KJV)

Jesus called God His Father. The Jews could not handle the situation and sought to kill Him. It implies they understood the implications of Jesus calling God His Father. The language of routinely calling God Father was foreign to the ordinary Jew. It was not only beyond their comprehension, but it was considered blasphemy. Yet Jesus regularly referred to God as Father.

God is Creator, Lord and King. He has many names and titles. But there is no title that reaches His heart like the title “Father”. Each of the titles ascribed to Him describes a different dimension of relationship. For example, as King, the relationship with His subjects is clearly defined. As Master, He relates with His subjects as servants. As a Father, the relationship takes on an entirely different perspective. It is a relationship rooted in the love of a Father and a child.

Interestingly, this is the greatest relationship the Father seeks to have with us! He is the Savior. He is the Master. He is King. But above all these, He is our Father. He is not Father in this sense to everyone. He is Father to those He has truly fathered, begotten in Christ and having His Nature, that is, His Holy Spirit in their hearts, causing them to cry out Abba Father!

MEDITATE

How is a Father-child relationship different from a master-servant relationship? Does God cease to be King or Lord because He is our Father?

APPLY THE WORD

God wants you to know Him as Father. And He knows the responsibilities He is taking upon Himself as our Father. Similarly, He wants you to take your place as a child, with both your privileges and responsibilities. God did not primarily call you to work or serve Him. He called you to be in a father-child relationship with Him. You will serve Him, but that is secondary!