Grace - Fatherhood Defined

The first-century Jewish hope of a Messiah did not include the idea that God would be incarnate in human flesh.  That He would be with them, yes.  But certainly not one OF them.  The Jewish people expected Messiah would be a man whom God anointed, much like Moses, David, or Ejilah.  However, His plan was much greater, but He had to disguise Himself, and He did so, as a baby in a lowly manger, as a young boy in Nazareth, and as a young man walking in and around Galilee.  When God revealed Himself in Jesus like this, NO ONE reacted in cowardice and fear, and for the first time since the Garden of Eden, God walked among His people

People were drawn to Him, not repelled.  His gracious presence allowed them to be real and thus find acceptance.  Jesus didn't want sinners groveling at His feet which, for us, has unfortunately become the model of holiness.  "Fear God because He is Holy!" is the trumpet call of slave mentality under the old covenant.

No, God is a loving God who has settled the sin issue:  Jesus said, "If you really knew Me, you would know my Father as well."  Such tender images are given to us to explain our Father's love and desire for a tender relationship with us, IN us:

Young children beloved by a gracious Father

The bride of an eager bridegroom

Friends dear enough to die for

Little chicks under the loving wings of a hen

When we see the reactions of sinners afraid and prostrating themselves before angels and manifestions of God, it has less to do with God's holiness, and far more to do with how sinful people naturally reacted to God.

How did Peter react to Jesus?  "Go away from me, Lord.  I'm a sinful man."  How did Jesus respond?  Did He say, "Yes, Peter, you're a lousy sinner.  Be grateful I don't vaporize you right now"?

No!  He elevated Peter to be a son, a co-heir, one who goes about the business of his Father!

So, stop groveling and start reigning!  God is serious about the intimacy and security of a relationship with Him built on love and trust.  And for those who think this is presumptive on our part, well, guess what, it was His idea, not ours!

"Finding a true friendship with the living God never demeans who He is.  It doesn't reduce Him to our level and allow us to treat Him tritely; it only defines His Fatherhood in ever more grandeur." - Wayne Jacobsen

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy