Who Do You Know

He wanted to get into the Air Force Academy. The physical part of the application process was rigorous but he passed. The other testing and associated interviews seemed to go well. But then there was the requirement of having a congressman’s nomination for an appointment to a service academy. He did not know a congressman.

His mother had done some volunteer work for one of the state’s senators but she did not know him or anyone close to him. She reached out to a friend that was more involved in politics that in turn reached out to a friend that actually worked in the senator’s campaign. A door opened up for the young man to meet with the senator.

“I am one who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, who sent me.” Then they asked Him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father also. … You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” – John 8:18-19, 23. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were descendants of Abraham and claimed Abraham as their father. Jesus responded, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father (the devil).” – John 8:39-41. The pharisees searched the scrolls for who they needed to know and failed to recognize the One in front of them. They did not know Jesus. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered, “Don’t you know Me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” – John 14:5-9. Faithful Fathering encourages and equips dads in partnership with the Church, often times through fun onsite activities where we introduce interview cards. Dads write out answers to eight questions on the card about their child and then interview them to see how well they did. The kids do the same with their card and then interview dad. The exercise is usually a wake-up call for the father-child relationship. The question for every dad is – Do your children know Jesus because they know you?

The young man got his appointment to the Air Force Academy. In the physical world it may be who you do know that knows someone who can help open a door. In the spiritual realm, who you do know matters. It must be Jesus the Christ. It is only through Jesus that the door is opened to His Father in Heaven.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and Your Son. I confess that I have worked harder at networking to get to know the right people in business than I have at getting to know You. Forgive me. To get to know You I need to read and study Your word. I commit to The 90Day Bible Journey that provides the structure and accountability to read Your book cover to cover. I want my kids to know You because they know me. Grant me discipline to read Your word and lead my family spiritually by example. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father knows Jesus the Christ as Savior and Lord.