Lessons about God through my sons – 1

*Lyrics in picture above from Rock ‘n Roll Worship Circus’ song “Glorify the Son”.

A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” -Luke 9.36 (World English Bible).

Years ago I was walking on the beach with one of my boys in my arms. I can’t remember if he was able to walk or I was just enjoying carrying him, but I do remember trying to catch people’s eyes in order to direct their attention to my amazing son.

The thought occured to me that I was doing it partly because he was (and still is) an amazing child, but also partly because I wanted them to see what a good dad I was.

At the time I thought – Wow! That’s incredibly self-exalting! But isn’t that what God the Father does?

I do it because I am human and want to be the centre of attention. He does it because He is God and deserves to be centre of attention. If He didn’t direct all attention to Himself, He wouldn’t be God – ultimate, supreme… So it isn’t out of narcissism (as in my case) but out of the express right of the ruler of the universe (who else does He direct our attention to?)

So he displays Jesus to display His attributes to us. Show us what a good Father He is. Explain, in the person of the second person in the Godhead, what a good Father He is but also His aspects of grace, mercy, joy, patience, love…

Then Jesus glorifies the Father through His life and death and resurrection through the power of the Spirit and, you know what?

God transfers the focus onto us so we can show How good, merciful, gracious, joyful, patient and loving He is.

We are called to catch the world’s eye so that we can show how great the Father is by showing the world His Son and allowing the Spirit to resurrect them…

What an incredible, incredible privilege!

Father, be glorified in and through us. May we display you, introducing people to Jesus and allowing Holy Spirit to bring them back to life. Be glorified we pray. So be it.