Fortitude for Fathers
One friend facetiously relayed to another, “I just watched a film where a man’s wife is brutally murdered by a serial killer and his son is left physically disabled. In a twisted turn of events, his son is kidnapped and he has to chase the kidnapper thousands of miles with the help of a mentally disabled woman.” The friend was describing, in a rather startling manner, the popular animated film Finding Nemo. If you’re familiar with the storyline at all, you can probably put yourself in the shoes (or would it be fins?) of Marlin the clownfish as he courageously overcomes obstacle after obstacle to save his imperiled son Nemo.
Fatherly moments aren’t just restricted to the movies either; there are stories scattered throughout the Bible that can and should stir a father’s heart. Think of Abraham poised to sacrifice Isaac; Jairus witnessing the Lord Jesus restore his daughter to life; or God the Father giving His only Son out of His sacrificial love for the world. Powerful events that should resonate with any dad. How about the royal official from Capernaum whose son was about to die? Despite the desperate father’s persistence, John 4:46-54 records a case where this time, Jesus didn’t go the house as he did for Jairus. This father trusts Christ’s promise that the boy will live and on his return journey, he receives the wonderful news that, just as he promised, Jesus restored his son to health. Not only does the son live, but the son, the royal official, and the rest of the household place their faith in the Lord.
There’s a useful lesson for fathers found here. Providing for the physical needs of our children is good and honorable (and even biblical as we read in 1 Tim. 5:8) but even more significantly, this father led his family to eternal blessing through belief in Christ. Anyone who deserves to call himself a father would do anything to meet the most serious physical needs of their children, even laying down his own life if necessary. However, what about the spiritual needs of your children? How unfortunately easy it is to shirk bringing them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Centuries ago, John Chrysostom (who as far as I know never married nor had children) asked a question still worth asking today. “How is it not absurd to send children out to trades, and to school, and to do all you can for these objects, and yet, not to bring them up in the chastening and admonition of the Lord?” (Homily 21 on Ephesians). Fathers, is it possible you need to reevaluate the burdens and concerns you have for your children? Are you as concerned about meeting the spiritual needs of your children by endeavoring to make them disciples as you are about meeting their physical needs? Take heart, seek wisdom and help from your heavenly Father, and make Ephesians 6:4 your heart’s meditation as your raise your children for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Brent Niedergall is youth pastor at Catawba Springs Christian Church in Apex, North Carolina. He holds an MDiv from Shepherds Theological Seminary and is pursuing a DMin from Maranatha Baptist Seminary.
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