Like Father, Like Son

I never really knew my Dad. When he died in 2002, my aunt presented me with some information and a photograph which made me question if he was my real father. Reflecting on my past, I realized that my Dad and I got along OK, but we were never close. I know that many children do not get close to one parent or the other (or to either parent), but looking back it seemed that I was regarded more as an attachment to my Dad, rather than a son. On the other hand, my grandson can wiggle his ears just like my Dad. Go, figure.

Throughout the ages many have attempted to understand and make contact with our Creator. Lacking any specific, verifiable evidence, gods were developed to serve the purposes of man. Much like astrology, with its hit-and-miss prophecies, religious leaders would offer sacrifices and arrange elaborate rituals to appease the force that seemed to be guiding their lives. How easy it has been to control others by "revealing" that God wants this or that, and will bless or curse if we don't follow the leader's direction.

The Jews had a hit-and-miss relationship with God as recorded in the Old Testament. He walked in the garden with Adam, then condemned both Adam and Eve. Later he contacted Noah with a special assignment. Then he visited Abrahm, Isaac, and Jacob. Then Moses. Then some deliverers in Judges. Finally several prophets and kings. But as history unfolded, God's personal visits came few and far between.

What we really needed was someone to come directly from God and Heaven and tell us --- even show us --- what he and his Homeland were really like. Then came Jesus.

It doesn't much matter to me if he was born as a baby, or just showed up at John's baptismal service (like Melchizedek did to Abraham). As I stated in an earlier article, when he spoke as a man about his relationship with his heavenly Father, I was convinced. He told his disciples, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. The Father and I are one." Now, some make the case that the second person of the Trinity [father, SON, and holy ghost] was just God in the flesh; otherwise, we would be worshipping two Gods. That he had this elaborate scheme in which he talked to himself and quoted himself --- in a sense, a form of duplicity that challenged our intelligence, in that we couldn't trust information from just one source.

However, Jesus told us that he came from his Father. That he prayed to his Father. That he spoke his Father's words. That he always obeyed his Father. That only his Father knew about the timing of the end. And that he was returning to his Father. And I believe him. If God could wiggle his ears, then so could Jesus.

One day I will be reconciled to two of my earthly fathers --- and one heavenly Father. And, joining with many brothers and sisters, alongside my big brother, Jesus, what a glorious day that will be!
STEVE