Like father, like son.
The gospel account of Matthew traces the family tree of Jesus back as far as Abraham. The gospel account of Luke traces the family of Jesus back as far as God. The gospel account of Mark records the actions of the son of the Father as a suffering servant. The gospel account from John outlines a picture of Jesus that points them to His status as the Messiah, the son of the Living God in whom life is found through faith in Him as He reveals Himself in declaration and demonstration.
Each gospel account presents the son following in the manner pleasing to the father. When the Son departed, those He called to follow Him were students and then envoys before finally acknowledging their position not just as servants, but, because of Christ, they too were sons. As the Son showed the way to the Father, so those who follow the Son can likewise be channels of blessing to bring in other members of the family to follow the route to expressing their status as sons of God.
The apostle Paul was one of those who received the gospel of Jesus Christ and turned in faith to follow Him. Not only was he obedient in the actions to which He was called He was also diligent in bringing along others in the faith to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. As they conducted Kingdom business together in various missionary journeys, Paul forged close and meaningful relationships with his team.
We are blessed to have writings of Paul to two of his sons of the faith. Writings that encouraged and instructed these sons to carry on the work of the Father in the Son by this glorious gospel. We do well to consider these letters to his sons. Consider them for the key instructions Paul shares with them as well as those elements that make it clear that there is an important between Paul and these two sons.
Not all of us who read them will have the specific mission that marked Timothy and Titus. We are all, however, children of the Most High God who are given a set mission and task to reflect and convey the gospel in our lives. What Paul shares with his sons has personal implications and collective ones as well. Paul is writing as much about a way of life for the gathering of believers as he is writing to encourage his sons to be diligent and faithful in their call.
There is a lot to learn about the mission and our key relationships, as well as trustworthy sayings and sound doctrine to ensure the church is developed along the right lines for His glory. As someone who is at a key stage in my spiritual development, I feel honoured to be led to read these letters with this focus at this time. I hope you can share in the honour over this series of reflections sharing what there is to learn and apply from what this loving father of faith as to say to his true sons of the faith.
Maybe there’s something we can hear on this reading that can help us to straighten our lives out to do what the Father calls us to do. Maybe we can recognise our position in faith as a son set to learn and apply what others say in Christ. Maybe we can recognise our position as a father in faith who hold dearly the gospel of Jesus and the trustworthy sayings that emerge from that and now we’re called to equip, encourage, enable and establish children in the faith in pursuing their call.
Whatever the status, you’re welcome to join in this journey through the writings of Paul to his sons to be reassured of the priority and primacy of Jesus and how that’s rolled out in relationships and community. That way we can make progress in the journey where we grow and others can recognise in us this truth:
Like father, like son.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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