Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

           Text: II Samuel 18:33

 And the king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

           The Bible says of Moses in the book of Hebrews that he chose “to be mistreated along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” This verse contains the expression – “the pleasures of sin.” There is indeed a certain pleasure in sinning. Man’s will is in opposition to God’s holy will – and we find pleasure in doing what God has forbidden. However, to be sure, these pleasures last for only a short time. Frequently, these pleasures turn to bitterness.

           Today, we observe Father’s Day. It is on this day that we especially thank and praise God, remembering and honoring our fathers for the love they have given us and for the concern they have shown for us. The text for today is taken from the life of David. It shows us the greatness of a father’s love, as is found in King David’s cry – “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!”

           The words of the text refer to the tragic death of Absalom, the son of King David. Now, there is nothing unusual in a father mourning over the death of his son. Absalom had enjoyed great benefits. He was a well-appearing man and was a son of whom King David could be proud. The Holy Scriptures tell us of Absalom – “In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.” David could be especially proud because his son had been brought up in the knowledge and worship of the true God.

           Yet, David’s cry is unique in that his son was an enemy of his father. Absalom didn’t appreciate the Lord’s goodness. He became wicked – he enjoyed the pleasures of sin. When his brother Amnon committed an evil act, Absalom took it into his own hands and had his servants kill Amnon. Absalom became conceited and wanted honor, power, and glory for himself. Absalom wanted to become king – even while his father David was still alive and occupying the throne. And Absalom was a clever man. He would sit beside the road leading to the gate of the city and whenever he learned of any controversy that a person wanted the king to judge – he would tell that person that his father had not thought enough to appoint someone to judge the case. But Absalom went on to say that if he were king, he would certainly deal justly with the problem. In this way, Absalom stole the people’s hearts away from his father. By lying about King David, Absalom gained many followers. Finally, Absalom asked his father’s permission to go to the city of Hebron “to fulfill a vow.” At this same time, he sent secret messengers throughout Israel to tell his followers that when they would hear the sound of the trumpet, they should proclaim that Absalom was the king. This plot seemed to be successful for a while – things were going Absalom’s way. He was enjoying the pleasures of sin. David fled for his life from the city of Jerusalem. His own son had forced him from the throne.

However, David’s faithful followers fought for him against Absalom and his men. There was a great battle fought in the woods of Ephraim – and Absalom’s men were defeated. Absalom now fled for his life. As he tried to escape from David’s men, he went through the forest. He passed under the branches of an oak tree – and his long hair was caught on a branch. He was left hanging there, as his mule ran away from under him. David pleaded with Joab, his chief commander, to deal gently with his son. However, Joab threw three javelins into Absalom’s heart. Absalom died shamefully – and Joab’s men threw him into a pit and covered his body with a huge pile of stones. A messenger hurried to tell David what had happened. And when the king heard the news, he wept and said – “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Mourning over the death of a son isn’t a strange thing for a father to do. But it is a strange thing that David should mourn the death of Absalom, a son who was opposed to David, a son who would have killed his father to get what he wanted, a son who hated his father. It’s not hard for a father to mourn the death of a loving, obedient son – but how can a father mourn the death of a son like Absalom? Love! David loved his son and was constantly concerned about Absalom, who took pleasure in sin. David hated what his son had done – yet he loved his son as only a parent could. Absalom was opposed to his father at every turn – yet David loved his son to such an extent that he would have given his own life in order that Absalom’s life might have been spared. “If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Today, we remember King David’s love for his son. Today, we remember our father’s love for us. As we take a look at our own lives, how many times can’t we see Absalom in ourselves? How often can’t we see in ourselves the pleasure to sin? How many times can’t we remember ourselves as being unloving, disobedient, and rebellious – much to the dismay of our parents. Yet, they loved us, they loved us so much that they would have been willing to give everything – even their own lives – for us. Surely we should thank God for such parents, who exhibit and reflect God’s great love and who bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord. God requires us to honor our parents as God’s representatives here on earth. He tells us in His holy Word – “Honor your father and mother.” We’re to obey our parents in all things in which God has placed them over us. St. Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians – “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” And again, in Proverbs, it is written – “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” This is God’s command to us – that we serve and obey our fathers and mothers, and that we love them as precious gifts of God.

In the New Testament, Christ spoke of a son who was similar to Absalom. This is known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The son wanted his share of the inheritance from his father. It was given to him and he left home a rich man. However, he threw his money away carelessly until he had finally spent his entire inheritance. This son could find no food. He was starving when he decided to go back home. The prodigal son wasn’t worthy to come home. Yet he was sorry for what he had done. And his father willingly and joyfully accepted him back. This again shows us a father’s love for a disobedient son.

But Christ spoke of this father and son relationship with another idea, another purpose in mind. God is our Father. And we are sinners – disobedient sons and daughters. We’re in opposition to God our heavenly Father. Yet our heavenly Father loves us. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners. We must truly be sorry that we have offended our God, and by faith look for salvation only in Christ Jesus. In this way, God our Father accepts us back.

Only when we see God’s love for us, can we appreciate our earthly father’s love for us. Only when we honor and serve our God, can we honor and serve our parents here on earth. Oh, thank God that He has given us earthly fathers who love and care for us. Thank God today that He is our loving and merciful Father, who has counted us worthy to live unto Him and serve Him. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Authored by Reverend Carl Trosien.