how much more
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11
I have been fortunate to have great men in my life. These men are my father, my grandfathers, and my father-in-law, my husband, my son, and my son-in-law, and my brother. These men love God and love their families. I know this because I have had a front-row seat to their lives.
“Would you give your son a fish or a snake? Of course, a good father would never give these horrible things to their children but would gladly give them good gifts.”
I have seen them work hard on their regular jobs and then work extra shifts or side jobs to provide for their family. I have watched them change their work schedules around in order to make it to school programs, coach little league teams, chaperone band trips, and youth trips, and do everything else you can think of just to try to be there at every event for their kids. They not only help with youth trips but work and served in church. Oh, and these men didn’t just serve in church, they lived out their relationship with God not only at church, but at home, on the job, and everywhere you came in contact with them. So yes, I know that I have been and I am loved by these strong and godly men.
In the passage above, Jesus shares a contrast between a father’s love for his children and our heavenly father’s love for us. Jesus asks if a father would give bread or a stone to their son. Would you give your son a fish or a snake? Of course, a good father would never give these horrible things to their children but would gladly give them good gifts.
The contrast is so great that Jesus uses the word “evil” when speaking of the earthly father. I know that the fathers in my life know how to give good gifts to their children. As I am sure you do too! But Jesus drives home His point with these words, “how much more.” If we know that our earthly fathers want to give good gifts to their children, then how much more would our Father in heaven give good gifts to His children who ask Him?
I have seen sacrificial love in earthly fathers; but, even at their best, their love doesn’t compare with the love of our Heavenly Father. God loves us unconditionally. He sees us and knows everything about us and still calls us His own. His love is perfect and pure; and, He gives us what we, His children, need when we need it.
This week we will celebrate and give honor to fathers. I know that not everyone has known the love of an earthly father that truly wants to bestow good gifts and to be present in the lives of his children. And, because of no godly example of a father, I am sure this creates a huge obstacle to even relate to such an idea. But know this - you are not completely abandoned and there is hope for you today! I present to you the opportunity to know the most powerful love of all – the love of our Father God. He invites you to come to Him, know Him, and allow Him to lavish His love on you!
Jesus taught the disciples that their worth to God was more than the sparrows – and Jesus said that God does not forget the sparrow. Jesus then went on to say that God knows the number of hairs on each head.