The Journey Continues: Father's Day
My journey this week takes me to Father’s Day. In the often-quoted parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus talked about the love of a father for his son (Luke 15).
Jesus said the younger son asked for his share of the inheritance early. With evil living, he quickly squandered all the money on pleasure, leaving him without friends, hungry and homeless. He took any job he could find and ended up working at a pig pen.
“So, he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:20-24
This father forgave because of his love for his son. Notice that the father never left his home to look for his son; but he did not give up, he waited. A prodigal can be a daughter or son. Also, notice in the son’s return home, we see the father actually running with great joy toward the youth while he is still far down the road. From my reading, this is the only reference to running I’ve noticed in the New Testament. This example of a good father was Jesus’ way of showing how much God loves us.
There are other examples of noteworthy fathers in scripture — can you name them?
Father's of the Bible Quiz
Answer Choices:
A.-Abraham, B.-Zebedee C.-Isaac D-Joseph E.-Job F.-Adam G.-King Saul H.-David I.-Jacob J.-Laban K.-Zechariah L. Noah
1. Who was the first father on earth?
2. Who was Jesus’ earthly father?
3. Which father lost all his children on the same day but later received more children as a blessing from God?
4. Who was Solomon’s father?
5. Whose sons became the twelve tribes of Israel.
6. What was the name of John the Baptist’s father who was silence by God until John’s birth?
7. Who had twin sons?
8. Whose daughters were Rachael and Leah?
9. Who was the father of Jonathan, David’s friend?
10. Who was the father of Ham, Shem, and Japheth?
11. Jesus called two brothers, James and John to be disciples, who was their father?
12. God told this father to sacrifice his son.
Answer Key:
1-F, 2-D, 3-E, 4-H, 5-I, 6-K, 7-C, 8-J, 9-G, 10-L, 11-B 12-A
