Devotional: Fathers Discipline their Sons Hebrews 12:1-17

“But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Heb. 12:8, NASB).

As I am watching a television sports shown on the ESPN sports network, I hear the panel discussing the difficulties of coaching today’s athletes. This discussion is the results of Tom Izzo, head coach of the men’s basketball team at Michigan State University calling out one of his players because of the player’s lack of effort. Coach Izzo is criticized in the media; especially on social media outlets because of the way that he talked to the player. I notice that the members on the panel agree that times have changed and coaches have adjusted the coaching style in the last decade or two. I also notice that panelists Isaiah Thomas believes that it is the job of the coach to bring out the best in the player. Thomas played college basketball under coach Bobby Knight at Indiana University. Knight could be very tough on his players. With Knight as the coach and Thomas leading the team Indiana wins an NCAA title in 1987. Thomas says that the coach might make the player angry, and the player’s feelings might be hurt, but the player must learn discipline if the player is going to be the best player that the player can be. I believe that discipline is often slack in our country today. The text that we have before us emphasizes that disciple is a necessary duty of fathers (and mothers).

The book of Hebrews is written to Christians that are being persecuted because they have left Judaism, and they have become Christians. The writer explains the reasons that it was necessary for Jesus to die on the cross. In chapter 11, the writer gives a list of people that have accomplished great things for the Lord. He tells his audience that they are not along although their suffering might make them feel that way. Jesus suffered and they too will suffer. However their suffering will bring about the best results.

The writer agrees that they are suffering, but they have not suffered death as Jesus did. He exhorts them to endure the discipline of the Lord, because the Lord disciplines them because He loves them (vv. 5-6). God deals with us as sons. The writer compares the discipline of the Lord to the discipline of human fathers. Fathers that love their children discipline their children. If the father does not discipline his son he is treating the son like an illegitimate son. The father does not claim the child and wants nothing to do with the child. He accepts no responsibility for the son’s well being.

The writer of Hebrews agrees with Isaiah Thomas. Discipline often hurts. It is not pleasant. We respect our human fathers even when they use methods that may seem harsh and strenuous. “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (v. 11, NASB). Therefore, the writer of Hebrews tell the people to accept discipline because it will make them strong and heal their infirmities (v. 1-13).

Isaiah Thomas says that when it comes to his personal discipline, “You have to start with my mother.” Because his mother trained him in discipline it was not too difficult for him to accept the discipline of coach Knight. Thomas later won two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons.

I too had a mother and a father that were not slack in discipline. I cannot recall a time that I was disciplined unfairly or unjustly. My parent’s discipline taught me that I could trust and depend on them. Later, I come to understand that if I accept the discipline of the Lord I can trust and depend on Him also.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for parents, teachers, and other authority figures in my life that have disciplined me. Amen.