I was reminded recently, via Facebook (where else!) that some sons know their fathers quite well. In the following I have deleted names to protect the innocent!<\/p>\n
Son walks into the garage and tells his father the date proposed by his fianc\u00e9e and himself for their forthcoming wedding. Father replies, \u2018Bathurst (car racing) isn\u2019t that weekend, is it?\u2019<\/p>\n
Son, \u2018Good one, Dad!\u2019<\/p>\n
I smiled as I imagined the sigh from the son and expressions on their faces. Such is the stuff of a warm father and son relationship!<\/p>\n
There is one Father and Son relationship that has existed from eternity. In this eternal relationship the Father and the Son know each other intimately. How precious the Father\u2019s heart that speaks at Jesus\u2019 baptism, \u2018this is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.\u2019 (Matthew 3:17)<\/p>\n
When the Son is asked by His disciples how they should pray\/speak to the Father, we can be sure that the Son knows exactly how they should address God: \u2018Our Father who is in heaven . . . \u2019<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 teaching through this prayer is radical with far-reaching ramifications: radical in its prayerful intimacy addressed to the Transcendent Creator, Sustainer and Judge of the entire world; far reaching in its scope of \u2018your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven\u2019.<\/p>\n
Significantly the Son, Jesus, knew He was leaving the disciples with a job to do and their preparation included Jesus\u2019 answer to, \u2018How do we pray?\u2019.<\/p>\n
Jesus replied with the Lord\u2019s Prayer \u2013 which both Matthew and Luke place in the context of Jesus teaching his disciples.<\/p>\n
In some ways, the \u2018Lord\u2019s Prayer\u2019 could also be called the \u2018Disciples\u2019 Prayer\u2019 as it was to be prayed by Jesus\u2019 disciples.<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 prayer surely reflects His heart for His disciples\u2019 life and ministry. Can we consider the Lord\u2019s Prayer to understand and live more fully our discipleship in the world today? How do the phrases of this prayer help us how to view God and God\u2019s world and to view our discipleship in God\u2019s world: discipleship that will hallow God\u2019s name and serve God\u2019s kingdom purposes?<\/p>\n
During this year I will be leading a seminar around Tasmania on Christian discipleship shaped by the Lord\u2019s Prayer. The Seminar, \u2018Christian Voices in Public Places\u2019 will be an opportunity to grow our ability to engage with family, friends, work colleagues and community groups about contemporary issues.<\/p>\n
Please keep your eyes out for details of the times (Saturdays) and places of the Seminar.<\/p>\n
I was struck afresh recently by the early disciples adding a concluding phrase to the words of Jesus. The phrase is a great exclamation of praise: \u2018for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, forever and ever. Amen.\u2019<\/p>\n
The early disciples effectively \u2018bookended\u2019 this wonderful prayer with God: from Jesus\u2019 commencement of intimacy, \u2018Our Father\u2019, to the disciples\u2019 concluding exclamation of God\u2019s power and glory. Our daily life is to be \u2018bookended\u2019 by God.<\/p>\n
In this New Year may our days be \u2018bookended\u2019 with God!<\/p>\n
Shalom<\/p>\n
John \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Note: This article first appeared in the February 2015 edition of the Tasmanian Anglican<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was reminded recently, via Facebook (where else!) that some sons know their fathers quite well. In the following I have deleted names to protect the innocent! Son walks into the garage and tells his father the date proposed by … Continue reading