In the Aramaic
language, which was used frequently by Jesus Christ in daily discourse, the
word “Abba” simply means “father.”
It was a term that was highly valued and introduced to us by Jesus, e.g.
Mark 14:36. “And he [Jesus] said, Abba, Father, all things are possible
unto thee…”
The Early Church
was also familiar with (and accepting of) this affectionate relational title, “Abba.”
According to the Apostle Paul, we “have not received the spirit of
bondage…but [we] have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby [we] cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) Paul further identified us as “sons” of Almighty
God, who “sent forth the Spirit of his Son into [our] hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6) We are supremely favored because “HE (Abba, Father) hath chosen us in him (Jesus
Christ, The Son) before the foundation of the world” and we have been “accepted
in the beloved (The Son).”
(Ephesians 1:4,6)
So the
scriptural evidence is remarkably clear: ALMIGHTY GOD is ABBA. As such, He structures and sustains a covenantal connection with every ‘son’
and every ‘daughter’ in His Kingdom through Christ, His Son. Although Almighty
God is indisputably both ‘King’
and ‘Master,’ our intimate association
with Him is not described (best) as a king-subject
relationship or a master-servant relationship. Jesus Christ declares, “Henceforth I call you
not servants; for the servant
knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.”
(John 15:15) Indeed, Jesus Christ functions
as our kinsmen-redeemer and elder brother who introduces us to the matchless
grace and goodness of Abba, our Father.
Through our tangible Christ-connection, we become legally and
spiritually adopted children of The
Father, i.e. “the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.”
(Psalm 95:7)
Jesus carefully instructed
‘The Twelve’ on what we now call “The Lord’s Prayer,” but could be more
accurately labeled as “The Disciple’s Prayer.”
This model of heavenly petitions commences with two simple, yet highly significant,
words: “Our Father.” This affectionate phrase is so potent and
important that it is repeated 160 times in scripture, in one form or another. But the scripture verse I love best is duplicated
in six scripture verses for special emphasis: “Grace
be unto you, and peace, from God Our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:3 – Galatians 1:3 – Ephesians 1:2 – Philippians 1:2 –
II Thessalonians 1:2 – Philemon 1:3)
The only way we
can effectively approach Abba, The Father,
the only way we can become legal recipients of his grace and mercy is through the
compassionate and open door of Jesus
Christ, our Mediator and High Priest. (I Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews
4:15) In the memorable words of Jesus, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9) “I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by
me.” (John 14:6)
Have
you prayed lately to Abba, The Father,
in order to alleviate your personal challenges?
Always remember: HE embodies everlasting compassion and HE deploys unlimited
resources to ably address each life-situation.
Sisters and brothers, You have
been authorized to approach the
throne of grace with boldness, but you always arrive with a keen awareness that
He is “Our Father.” (Hebrews 4:16 and Luke 11:2) In other words, your personal communion with Abba, The Father only takes place in the
presence of peace and harmony with your spiritual siblings. In the words of our revered Elder Brother, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother
has ought against you; leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way;
first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
(Matthew 5:23-25)
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