We all celebrated Father’s day 2012 on June 17, 2012 and I spent the day with my family. When our beloved firstborn son, Reuben (now 6 years old), was brushing his teeth, I was talking to him about some good “Father’s day” movies, calling out “The Lion King”, “Finding Nemo” and “John Q”. Since he had not watched the movie, John Q, I told him the synopsis of the movie, which goes on something like this. A father (played by Denzel Washington) who dearly loves his son (who is in need of a heart transplant) is planning and willing to sacrifice himself so that his son could have his heart.
As I pondered on the depth of this father’s love for his son, in this heart-warming movie, I quickly realized that even greater love had God the Father for each of us, his children. We all needed a heart transplant – so that our hearts of stone (rebellion against God, reviling in sin) could be replaced with a heart of flesh (one that loves God wholeheartedly) (Ezekiel 36:26). God the Father, loved us so much that he not only planned our salvation (1 Peter 1:20) and was willing (1 Timothy 2:3-4), but he actually had his heart broken forsaking his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, (Matthew 27:46) to be the acceptable sacrifice for us (Hebrews 10:1-18)
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon each one of us – that we should be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1). And the lyrics of the song “How deep the Father’s love for us” by Stuart Townend beautifully expresses this –
How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything, No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom
Points to ponder:
Have you had your heart transplant?
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV)
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
