THE RELATION OF THOSE IN CHRIST TO THE FATHER

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6).

Devotion 7 of 11

Jesus cries Abba, Father

In Mark 14:36, the Lord Jesus agonizes in prayer on the even of His vicarious sacrifice. The anticipation of bearing the sins of the world in His body on the tree (1 Pet 2:24) thrusts Him into a state of fierce spiritual warfare. Summoning all of His resources, and marshalling all of His powers, he prayers "more earnestly." We do well to hear His words. "Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt." The agony of that moment transcends our comprehensive abilities. Luke says of this occasion, "His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground" (Lk 22:44). This was, indeed, a most momentous time. Relating to our discussion, Christ's utterance,"Abba, Father," emphasizes His identity with the fallen race for whom, He died. Our Lord gonized in prayer the night of His betrayal. As He approached the time when He would "taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9), being "made sin for us" and becoming a "curse for us" (2 Cor 5:21; Gal. 3:13), He spoke to God with "strong crying and tears" (Heb. 5:7). He spoke precisely, and in absolute reliance upon the Father. There is no pretension here, no ambiguity, no guile, no mere formality. From the crucible of conflict, Jesus cries out to God--"ABBA, FATHER! The spiritual stress of that moment cannot be fathomed by mere mortals. Jesus was about to be "made sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21). As a man "tempted in all points as we are" (Heb. 4:15), He called out to His Father; "ABBA FATHER!" It was an anguished cry, yet a confident one! He did not cry out in doubt. He did not cry out in sinful complaint! This was not a murmur! This was an expression of faith in a time of need! Thus did Jesus provide an example for all of His brothers and sisters. It is a pattern that can be followed by us, because we have received His Spirit. It is an enabling Spirit, that leads us to confidently cry, "Abba, Father." That cry also rises from the lips of afflicted ones. Romans 8:15 declares we also "cry out, Abba, Father!"--a cry produced by conflict in a dying world. This depicts the reaching out of the soul--a reaching characterized by discernment as well as longing, and anticipation as well as suffering. This is a spiritually intelligent cry!

We are part of a large family

When we address God, we do so as a member of the vast throng of the redeemed. This is nothing less than the "whole family in heaven and earth" (Eph. 3:15). They are being brought to God by Jesus from every conceivable segment of mankind: "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9). We are not alone, and our trials are not unique. How glorious to be part of such a consistent and blessed multitude! PRAYER POINT: Father, all praise be to You for the glorious privilege of calling upon you with anticipation. I confess I am comforted in the contemplation of Your care and direction. "Abba, Father!" I love You! I need You! I have confidence in You!

-- TOMORROW: UNDOUBTING ASSURANCE --