In general, fatherhood represents the greatest failure of any category of human beings, so it’s a bit difficult to say “Happy Father’s Day.” Some have been very good, and they are to be commended. Sadly, many have not been good fathers.

Abraham was a great father, a father in his old age. Some men become fathers too soon and don’t know how to be good fathers. He is still called “Father Abraham” by the Jewish people to this day.

His son, Isaac, grew up to be a good father who blessed his sons. One of those sons, Jacob, became a father, who like his own father showed partiality, but also like his father, kept the covenant, and his name was changed to Israel. Both were a bit flawed, but still good fathers. You don’t have to be perfect to be a good father.

Joshua was a real role-model. He was a leader, a military leader and a spiritual leader who is remembered for saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Great fathers lead their families to know, love, and serve the Lord.

Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, put aside his religious pride and prestige when his 12 year old daughter was dying. Great fathers know who to turn to when there is a crisis in the family.

Zebedee was the father of James and John. Jesus called the sons to come and follow Him. Great fathers know when to let their children go.

The father of the Prodigal Son is the epitome of a great father. His younger son was bored with the home rules and wanted his share of the family farm so he could go live on his own. If the father had said “No,” he would have had an unhappy son. The father wanted a son who wanted to be at home.

You know the rest of the story. The Prodigal thought he was through with the father, the work, the rules, and with Big Bro. A lot of young men, women, too, today think they are through with God; don’t want to be around the old house of the Lord anymore. They’d rather be with their drinking buddies and the in-crowd.

The son had a real good time, meeting some people who helped him spend all that money. But when the money was gone, so were they. The son was broke. He finally took a job slopping hogs and got so hungry the slop looked good. Then he realized how good the farm hands had it back home. And he said, “I need to go home; I need to tell my father I’m sorry and ask him to let me be one of the servants.”

If he had never gone back, he would have perished. The father welcomed his son home, threw a big party, and was so happy.

That brings us to the ultimate Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He, too, is always there to welcome us home. His love never changes; His love never fails. When we honor our fathers this weekend, don’t forget to honor our Heavenly Father.