Sunday School 21 June

Fathers

Imagine the scene.

Little Ronald gets home from his shinty match starving hungry.

“Dad can I have some bread for a sandwich?”

“Sure son” says Dad while he sneaks a large bread shaped stone on to the plate…

Watch your teeth when you bite…

What kind of a horrible Dad would do that?

Yet we often think of God in a similar way.

We think that perhaps when we ask for something we will get something hard and damaging in response.

Perhaps he wants us to suffer?

Jesus knew how men thought and used that story in a parable  (Mathew 7 v 9 – 11)

Which of you, if his 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!

God is the ultimate loving perfect Father.

His very nature is Love. He will always give us what we need.

This love is truly reflected in the best answer to all our prayers and dreams.

Jesus.

In his life death and resurrection all prayer is answered with justice and love.

The stone was thrown aside

And the true bread of life made available to all his sons and daughters who ask.

Prayer

Lord we thank you on this day for our Fathers and honour them for their sacrifice.

We thank you that you are our loving Father too.

Whether our human fathers were good or bad or whether they tried or failed.

We thank you that any stone of hurt or harm placed on our lives can be rolled away and swallowed up in the new life that comes through Jesus.

Amen.