Señor Mancini transforms leather into beautiful handbags, briefcases, belts, and other works of art. Behind the Parthenon in Rome lies a shop filled with art, leather, and stories of a father who had a passion for creating the best leather products by hand. He worked diligently to build his business and provide for his family. He gave his family the good things in life, and he taught his son his craft. He demonstrated his love by protecting, giving, instructing, and rewarding.
Our Heavenly Father has given us a faint picture of Himself through the good fathers we have on earth. Like the Mancinis, I was blessed with a good father.
Just from the Gospel of Matthew, I found these qualities of our Heavenly Father, and we see a faint reflection of this description in our earthly fathers.
1. Sets the Standard
Matthew 5:48. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Yes, our earthly fathers aren’t perfect, but our good fathers held us to a high standard and set the example for us. When I had a problem or had gone awry, my Daddy would say, “You’re a Nistetter; you can do it!”
2. Rewards & Gives
Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Daddy had a way of knowing what I was thinking. He knew I was struggling with an essay one night, and he stayed up until 2 in the morning to help me with that essay. But he did more than he knew. Although he did not tell me he loved me, he showed me by giving me his energy and guidance that evening.
Our good, good Father rewards us with His presence, His guidance, and gifts.
3. Knows & Provides
Matthew 6:8, 32. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. … For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Señor Mancini knew what his family needed, and he provided through his hard work and creating a legacy for his son to take over.
4. Forgives
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Many times, I failed my Daddy, but after I would tell him that I was sorry, he would take me in his arms and hug me.
Our Heavenly Father also forgives us. He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son into the world to pay the price for our sins, death on the cross, so that we could be with Him forever.
5. Protects
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
When I got sick and had to drop out of college, Daddy made sure that I had the best medical care. Looking back, I know he went into deep debt because of that. I never heard about it, though. He always took care of his family.
6. Instructs
Matthew 10:20; 11:25 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.N … Come to Me. At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
Math wasn’t my strong suit, but I could always depend on Daddy to help me. More importantly, he loved long discussions about the Lord and about the Bible.
7. Honors Wishes
Matthew 10:33; 12:50 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.
Daddy honored the life Keith and I chose. I’m sure that he would have preferred that we live nearby in Oklahoma, rather than traipsing all over the world as Keith served in the Air Force. Although travel wasn’t to his liking, he brought Mama to Italy to visit us and to the land of the “fruits and nuts” (California) for a visit.
8. Loves
Matthew 18:14; 26:39 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. … And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
God loved the world so much that He gave His own dear Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. God gave Himself; He emptied Himself; He gave the costliest price for you and for me.
Amazing Love! Unending Love!
9. Sends
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Señor Mancini has sent his son into his shop to carry on the excellent work that He started.
Our Heavenly Father is sending us into the world to share the Good news and to make disciples of all we come into contact with.
2 responses to “Our Fathers’ 9 Actions from Matthew”
I love this! What beautiful legacies and how you tie them to our perfect heavenly Father. And I do believe that you are absolutely correct…every good that we find in earthly fathers simply reflects the even greater goodness of God. Thank you for this beautiful post! It is absolutely perfect for this weekend…and the truth it reveals about God is perfect for always!! <3 <3
Lynn, Thank you for your gracious words. I do believe that all the good that we experience on earth is a mere reflection of the goodness of our Lord. Imagine. I think that we have to have our new bodies to even experience the full force of the goodness of God. This Father’s Day, may you bask in your father’s goodness and contemplate the goodness of your Heavenly Father. Karen