As Jesus begins moving through the crowd a loving Father runs out to meet Jesus and this where we pick up our text today. Through the actions of Jairus on this occasion I believe we can draw some important truths for fathers.
Luke 8:40 - end of chapter
1. Fathers Need to Know Their Children's Needs - (41-42)
We have to discern between our children's wants and our children's needs. Our children cannot always discern their needs from their wants so we must do it for them. The danger in not choosing between needs and wants is sometimes a need goes unmet while many wants are fulfilled.
Jairus know his child's needs in this extreme situation, but chances are it took an extreme situation to get his attention.
We often know what is best for our children, not other people. In an age where the government is described as being a "nanny" state we have to be willing to step out and determine what is best for our child. Follow good advice from friends and family, but don't ignore common sense.
We have to take the time to know our children so that we can know their needs. We need to be unselfish and focused upon them rather than focused upon ourselves. We cannot understand what we do not give focused attention toward. If we are constantly distracted and not paying attention to our children then we will not know their needs
What do children need?
- Love - Equal, Unconditional, Tough Love
- Time - Quality time, Focused, individual time
- Teaching - Everyone should always be learning, Study how to be a parent (We study for everything else) We teach in many ways (Words, actions, re-actions, priorities,)
- Consistency - Never fall back on the "Do as I say not as I do" line, Ecclesiastes 10:1 - The danger of a little Inconsistency, We do not have to be perfect, we just have to be as consistent as possible. We have to be seen to be constantly striving for a particular set of standards
- Boundaries - You are not primarily your child's friend, you are his parent. Sometimes parents have to do what no friend could or would. Children thrive on boundaries. Boundaries are a way for children to know that someone cares. They may fight, but they need them
- Protection and Provision
2. Fathers Need to be Humble Enough to Ask for Help - (41)
When Jairus and his wife faced an impossible situation they were humble enough to turn to Christ and fall at His feet. As a ruler of the synagogue many things could have stopped him from going to Jesus.
Being a father can be difficult, asking for help and advice is essential. What stops us from asking for help as a parent?
- The general idea that parenting is common sense
- The idea that there is no answer to parenting questions, we just stumble along and hope for the best
- The fear of looking stupid - this stops a lot of people asking a lot of questions in every walk of life
- We don't want to do things differently from everyone else
Humility means a problem is recognised
Humility accepts there may be a better way, a higher goal
Humility looks to a superior for help
3. Fathers Need to Love Enough to Take Action (41)
As a ruler of the synagogue going to Jesus could and probably would have cost Jairus heavily. All the things we mentioned above were genuine issues.
- He probably lost his job
- He probably lost some friends
- He probably lost his social standing
But he had his child!
Sometimes our actions do carry a cost. Jesus spoke of the cost involved in serving Him: Luke 14:28-32
What stops us from meeting our children's needs?
- Do we need to sacrifice a hobby?
- Do we need to have less economically in order to have more in our relationships?
- I know some who could not have kept their heads above water without working the hours they did
- I know others who worked just to be able to buy more stuff
- Do we need to give up a bad habit? Do we need to start some good habits?
- Do we need to do things they enjoy rather than the things I enjoy?
Are we willing to pay whatever the cost may be in order to be a good father?
4. Fathers Need to Set the Example in Faith (50)
Others advised Jairus to give up hope for his child. Jesus encouraged him to believe - Jairus followed Jesus. Jairus was a leader in the community, but when needed, he was a leader for his family. Fathers need to be willing to take the lead spiritually and set a good example
Fathers need to have a genuine relationship with God so that they can demonstrate that relationship to their children. When the others were put out of the room only a couple of disciples and the father and mother remained in the room (51)
5. Fathers Who Parent Biblically Have No Regrets
Biblical parents may wish they had been more faithful, they may wish they had been more Biblical but where they led Biblically they will have no regrets. Jairus went to Jesus and Jairus received his daughter back again!
I can guarantee that this Bible has the key to being a good Father. Apart from the verses which tell us how to parent effectively, we also have the greatest example of a father, our Heavenly Father.
We have seen several aspects from Jairus on being a good father and drawn a few conclusions. I want to add to that list and consider how God is our Heavenly Father.
- Fathers Need to Know Their Children's Needs - Matthew 6:7-8
- Fathers Need to Love Enough to Take Action - I John 3:16
- Fathers Need to Set the Example in Faith - Hebrews 4:15
- Fathers Who Parent Biblically Have No Regrets - John 3:16
- A Good Father spends time with his children -John 14:23
- A Good Father instructs his children
- A Good Father sets the example for his children
- A Good Father puts his children first
- A Good Father provides for his children
- A Good Father corrects his children
- A Good Father protects his children
- A Good Father listens to his children
- A Good Father enjoys his children
- A Good Father accepts his children for who they are
- A Good Father has hopes for his children
- A Good Father is patient with his children
- A Good Father forgives his children
- A Good Father prepares his children
- A Good Father counsels his children
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