Read Ephesians 3: 14 - 21
After Paul had revealed to his readers the great mystery of God for humanity, he is again moved to pray for these Christ - followers. Let's notice a couple of things together.
First, note his posture. The word that is translated as "bowing the knee" is more dramatic than kneeling. It actually means 'to prostrate ones self'. It reflects intensity and deep humility. Barclay tells us that the "ordinary Jewish attitude of prayer was standing, with the hands stretched out and the palms upwards." Don't you know this verbal description of being on your face before God caught attention! Have you experienced being in a totally helpless state where you could not even sit ... you just laid out flat before God? It gives us a glimpse into the depth of feeling and the intensity of emotion as Paul entreats God on behalf of these believers.
Secondly, I am moved by the use of the the word "Father". Jesus was not the first to call God Father. In both the Greek and the Roman pantheons of gods Zeus (Greek) and Jupiter (Roman) were considered the father of the gods and of men. However, the word meant paternity. Men can father children and never even see them, much less care for them. And it happens all too often in this broken world. What Jesus brings to the picture of Jehovah God is the inclusion of intimacy - true fatherhood - including love and care, discipline and nurture. However, this is not mushy sentimentality. We hear Paul speak of this Father as full of glory and incredible power - worthy of praise and thanksgiving and worship. H. L. Gee tells a story about a little boy in Britain whose father was promoted to the exalted rank of brigadier. When he heard the news and the accolades that accompanied the promotion he was silent for a bit. He then said, "Do you think he will mind if I still call him daddy?" And those in my generation remember well the picture that blanketed this country of little John-John playing in the well of the desk in the oval office ... while his daddy, President Kennedy, was at work.
Father ... our Father ... who art in heaven ... hallowed is Your Name.
Third, meditate on the things for which Paul prays. He prays for this Father ... to strengthen you in your inner self through His Holy Spirit. The inner self includes your reason, your conscience, and your will. That strength only comes when Christ "dwells" in your heart through faith. I must ask each of us ... has Christ been allowed to dwell, to settle in, to set up residence in your heart? Or, is He an invited guest on occassion? The secret of strength is the presence of Christ. There is no substitute. You may be able to fake it for awhile ... but the only way to sustain steadfastness of purpose and character and strength and perseverance ... is through the very life of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit. Talk to Him about that.
Paul longs for us all to begin to comprehend the absolute vastness of the love of Christ. It seems that he had no descriptors that were sufficient. So ... I wonder if he looked at the universe itself ... and invited his readers to imagine the limitless sky above, the limitless horizons on every side, and the depth of the earth itself with its seas. Christ's love ... he so desired that these Christ-followers grow in their depth of understanding of this incomprehensible phenomenon.
It is THIS God ... to whom Paul ascribes glory ... forever ... AMEN.
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