How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
January 4, 2009 by revmattil
Filed under Pastor's Thoughts
My second daughter got married last weekend. Two down, one to go! I was in the fortunate and somewhat unique position of being both the father of the bride and the officiating minister. When it was time to walk her down the aisle, I went into the room where she was getting ready. As soon as I saw her, I started to cry. I get kind of emotional. That set her off, too. It took us a few minutes to regain our composure. Then we started laughing at each other for being such babies, and went down the aisle to the front of the church where we celebrated her union with a fine Christian man. Other than me getting choked up as I was saying the benediction, we made it through the service just fine.
I love my family deeply, and the emotions I display reflect that love. The tears I shed last Saturday were the result recognizing the overwhelming blessing God has shown to our family in our lives together.
The love that I feel for my children, deep though it may be, is but a poor reflection of the love that our heavenly Father has for all those He created. There is a song by a man named Stuart Townend entitled How Deep the Father’s Love for Us that does a good job of describing that love.
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 turned 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 held 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
I thank God that He has allowed me to be a father. I thank my Father in heaven even more for the love He has shown to me.
