About a year ago I was given a book highly recommended by my oldest daughter titled The Shack by William Young.
My interest was piqued by comments made on the back cover. Evangelical recording artist Michael W. Smith states, “The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God.”
Author Eugene Peterson believes “this book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!” Well, in my opinion, The Shack misses the mark by a long shot! The plot is developed around the abduction and murder of six year old Missy, beloved daughter of nominal Christian Mackenzie Philips (Mack). This tragedy shaped the lives of Mack and his family in horrific ways.
Living under “The Great Sadness” Mack receives an invitation from God dropped in his mail box that invites him to the isolated shack where Missy was murdered four years ago. Skeptical, Mack takes a chance that God might really show up and heads alone to the shack. There, God, in the form of all three members of the Trinity, meets with him giving Mack new insight about God and his relationship within the Trinity. At the end of the weekend Mack goes home a new man. I wish it were that easy! I wonder, though, what was/is Jesus relationship to his Father? (The book was NOT a help in that area!) Our best understanding comes from interaction with our earthly father and being one.
The gospels record 61 times Jesus referred to God as, “My Father.” We can learn from Jesus relationship to his Father what God desires in our relationship with him. What do you call God when you talk to him? How often do we speak with our Father in heaven? Take a look at Jesus' example.
Thinking it over . . .
What claims does Jesus make about himself? Compare this passage with John 10:22-30. How does Jesus answer the question as to whether he is the Christ?
How does Jesus honor his Father? How do you honor Father God?
Is Jesus right about who he claims to be? How?
If Jesus is right about who he claims to be, what have you done about it or what should you do about it?
What is it about the relationship between the Father and Son that catches your attention?
What is your relationship like with your earthly father?
If you are a father how are things between you and your children?
You are the best illustration to them of God the Father.
How can your relationship to your heavenly Father be improved? What are specific things you can do to bring you closer to your Father?
Scripture Reading
John 5:19-30(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%205:19-30&version=50)
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