It really doesn’t matter what the “look” is, dads work from home. The lessons in real life that are taught by our fathers have lasting impacts, usually for good but not always.

The children who have a sense of being loved by their father (including discipline- because that takes time and attention) and are accepted for who they are tend to grow up into courageous individuals, able to carry the load and to help other with their load as well.

For the majority of children who have fathers who have been absent, abusive or emotionally injured and may unintentionally pass this injury down, we do our best to live our lives in search of affection or acceptance. We may continue to carry an extra heavy load, not intended for human shoulders. It’s extra heavy because we may add unnecessary weight of the need for human acceptance (rather than being secure in God’s love alone).

Paul speaks to the people in this passage to help them realize that there is a solution to the needs of our broken humanity. Per Matthew Henry, Paul transitions from speaking about David’s royal lineage (don’t get caught up in the father’s line) to the Son of David’s amazing work (Jesus Christ the LORD).

As much as the old “guardian” of the children of Israel (the Law of Moses) could not bring them life, our heavenly Father provided His Son (through David’s line) to bear the sins of the world and to bring eternal life.

This means we no longer rely on “good works” to be loved and accepted but we rely on the completed work of His Son. This is life-giving because amazingly enough, there was no corruption in the death of Jesus. He rose again by the power of God.

Dad and all fathers are rejoicing because God has redeemed their efforts and healed us as his children. – Teresa #childrenofGod #redeemedbythebloodofthelamb #lovedwithaneverlastinglove

Acts 13:22-41
English Standard Version

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,

“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed[b] from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

*photo by Pexels