No one is suprised that Jesus called God “Father”. Born of a virgin, conscious early of His relationship, it was logical. The suprise is that He told us to do the same. Like the prodigal son,(Luke 15) most of us have lost hope long ago that we belong to God in any meaningful way. Our sins have been too real. Our hearts still unreliable. Our best thought is that we could return home and be a “slave”, a second-class citizen. A son? No way! But God’s “Fatherhood” is a statement of His character not ours. He is Father because He is the source of life. He is Father because He is the savior of sinners. “God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one may not be cast out” (2 Samuel 14:14). Today as you pray, don’t think about you. Think about Him. By faith, say “Father”.
