Our Father In Heaven (Ephesians 3:10-12)

The very first recorded words of Jesus as a child when he was found in the temple were, “Why are you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Now, as the son of God, Jesus easily could have reserved the title of Father to refer to God for himself. He invites us to pray to “Our Father”, not just his Father. With just a word, Jesus grants us permission to access the presence of God like never before.

While acknowledging that “Father” might not be the easiest or most comforting title for some of us to use for God, maybe it can actually help us redeem the meaning of the word by giving us a fuller, more perfect picture of what a father should be. It can remind us that God desires to be in relationship with us—to nurture and provide for us, to pour out love to us, to be present with us through the dark moments of our lives.

Praying to our God, who is in heaven, does not mean that He is separated from us. God’s done the opposite in drawing near to us and our broken world, coming to dwell with us in the person of Jesus, and inviting us to partner with God in following the example of humbly giving up power and privilege to make God’s infinite grace and wisdom known to the world. Not to escape the world, but to transform it.