Normally, and rightly so, we refer to God (Acts 17:24 – 25; 1 Tim. 6:13) as ‘the Father’ for that is what He is: The one who gives life, sustains life, protects life. (Jn. 5:21) We note that actually it is every person in the God-head who is involved: Jesus -the bread of Life (Jn. 6:33), and the Spirit (Jn. 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6). We are instructed by Jesus, to pray to God as ‘Our Father’ (Mt. 6:9). In one sense this is the Great Revelation in the New Testament about God’s person, – that He is the Father who is revealed through His Son, Jesus. (Jn. 14:6)
In a rather wonderful way, and I suspect because of the fallen nature of humanity, God uses the imagery of a Mother to illustrate his caring, intimate heart toward His Redeemed people: (Is. 66:12-13)
“For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Paul takes up the same imagery in 2 Thessalonians 2:7:
“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
Finally Jesus Himself, when lamenting over Jerusalem, (Luke 13:34) uses the imagery of a Hen who gathers her brood under her wings:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
This passage is especially instructive in that Jesus says that Jerusalem, during his time on earth, ‘was not willing’, i.e. they did not accept or ask Jesus to gather and care for them. We do not have a God, who is distant, uncaring, and just letting world events run their course. But rather we have a Father who cares passionately, personally and profoundly who is involved in our lives, and nurtures us as a Mother does her children according to their need. But we do need to express that desire and ask Him!
We as a community of believers believe that ‘shepherding the Flock of God’ (1 Pet. 5:2), should reflect the Heart of the Father. We are challenged to share our burdens (Gal 6:2) and uphold each other in prayer as well as in practical ways. We would invite you, if we can pray for you, to ask, and we will do that.
Photos: Martin Turner
Normally, and rightly so, we refer to God (Acts 17:24 – 25, 1 Tim 6:13) as ‘the Father’ for that is what He is: The one who gives life, sustains life, protects life. (Jn5:21) We note that actually it is every person in the God-head who is involved: Jesus -the bread of Life (Jn 6:33), and the Spirit (Jn 6:63, 2 Cor 3:6). We are instructed by Jesus, to pray to God as ‘Our Father’ (Mt 6:9). In one sense this is the Great Revelation in the N.T. about God’s person, – that He is the Father who is revealed through His Son, Jesus. (Jn 14:6)
In a rather wonderful way, and I suspect because of the fallen nature of humanity, God uses the imagery of a Mother to illustrate his caring, intimate heart toward His Redeemed people: (Is 66:12-13)
“For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Paul takes up the same imagery in 2 Thess 2:7:
“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
Finally Jesus Himself, when lamenting over Jerusalem, (Luke 13:34) uses the imagery of a Hen who gathers her brood under her wings:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
This passage is especially instructive in that Jesus says that Jerusalem, during his time on earth, ‘was not willing’, i.e. they did not accept or ask Jesus to gather and care for them. We do not have a God, who is distant, uncaring, and just letting world events run their course. But rather we have a Father who cares passionately, personally and profoundly who is involved in our lives, and nurtures us as a Mother does her children according to their need. But we do need to express that desire and ask Him!
We as a community of believers believe that ‘shepherding the Flock of God’ (1 Pet 5:2), should reflect the Heart of the Father. We are challenged to share our burdens (Gal 6:2) and uphold each other in prayer as well as in practical ways. We would invite you, if we can pray for you, to ask, and we will do that.
Photos: Martin Turner
