Today's Reading: Table of Duties: To Parents
Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 37:1-21; St. Matthew 27:33-56
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Parents have a heavy responsibility given them by God. Fathers are the chief spiritual providers for their children. That’s not to say that mothers are to be absent in this endeavor. On the contrary, St. Paul commended Timothy’s mother and grandmother for their role in handing over the faith.
As parents bring up and nourish their children in the discipline of the Lord, they actually lay the foundation by which their children in turn keep the Fourth Commandment. Neglecting to lay that critical foundation of the faith can actually provoke a child to anger. Parents who neglect this responsibility should actually expect rebellious children. Eli was held accountable for failing to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 3:13).
That’s why the Lord sees to the needs of His people by placing responsibility on His people. Parents are His instruments for the care and nurture of children. What do we sinners most often do with duty and responsibility? We tend to chuck it onto others. It’s tempting just to pass the buck. Either way in this case, the consequences for both parent and child can be painful and filled with conflict. Ultimately, spiritual neglect can have eternal consequences.
Thankfully, there is One who never shirked the responsibility given Him by God to redeem sinful mankind from their sins. Christ is your hope. In Him, lives are changed, both parent and child. In Him, sin is put to death and new life arises. In Christ, God works to undo the mess that you and I have created by our failures to live up to our responsibilities.
Your Father in heaven loves you in His Son. He will never fail you, despite your rebelliousness against Him. You may see His discipline in your life, but only to drive you to the cross, that you might see His love most clearly. In Christ you’ve received the Spirit of sonship by which you are privileged to cry, “Abba, Father.” In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our Father, by whose name All fatherhood is known, Who dost in love proclaim Each family Thine own, Bless Thou all parents, guarding well, With constant love as sentinel, The homes in which Thy people dwell. (LSB 863:1)