Be Just Like Dad!
By Pastor Ed Fredrich, TLHA Chaplain
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36
“A chip off the old block” the old adage declares. Whether we like it or not, we are like our parents. In this section of Luke, Jesus is teaching us to love our enemies. He wants us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus said, “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing.” (6:33) He even takes it a step further: “Love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil.” (6:35)
Love our enemies? Is Jesus serious? If you want to save yourself we have to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Since God, our Father, is kind to the unthankful and the evil, being “just like dad” is not only difficult but it is impossible.
For those who want to save themselves, Jesus is purposely pointing to the perfection that is required. Because we are all chips off the old block, we can’t save ourselves. We all inherited from our parents what we call “inherited sin.” None of us, on our own, can gain the standard of our true Father, our Creator.
Jesus is the embodiment of the Father’s mercy. Jesus, our Brother, obeyed the law in our place. Jesus our Substitute, made the complete payment to take away our sin and guilt. Jesus our Life, conquered death for us.
By faith, who do we take after? With sins forgiven and heaven open we can take after our Father. We thank him for his mercy by reflecting his mercy in our lives.
Lord Jesus, thank you for demonstrating your Father’s mercy. Enable us to be more like you in thanks for your love. Amen.