ABBA FATHER JESUS CRIED "ABBA FATHER" In Mark 14:36, "Abba, Father" emphasizes the identity of Jesus with the fallen race for whom He died, as well as His reliance upon the Father. You recall that our Lord agonized in prayer the night of His betrayal. As He approached the time when He would "taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9), becoming a "curse for us" (Gal. 3:13), He spoke to God with "strong crying and tears" (Heb. 5:7). The spiritual stress of that moment cannot be fathomed by mere mortals. 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! -- Tomorrow:
"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).
The word "Abba" is Aramaic. It is not unusual for the Spirit to employ words like this, also providing an interpretation of the same. In Mark 5:41, "Talitha cumi" is interpreted as "Damsel, I say unto thee arise." When healing a dumb man, Jesus looked up into heaven, sighed, and said (in Aramaic), "Ephphatha," interpreted as "Be opened" (Mark 7:34). The Aramaic "Cephas" is interpreted as "a stone" in John 1:42. "Tabitha," an Aramaic word, is interpreted as "Dorcas" in Acts 9:36. The use of the Aramaic, therefore, is not unusual in Scripture.
It is commonly taught that the word "Abba" means "Papa," or "Daddy," indicating our complete reliance upon Him, like a small child to its father. However, this does not appear to exhaust the meaning of the text. In my judgment, this usage is more limiting than explanatory.
The sense is that of the universality of God's Fatherhood. In the case of Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, it denotes the common approach of both Jew and Gentile to God. The blending of Jew and Gentile into "one new man" (Eph. 2:15) is a transaction grossly understated by the contemporary church.
So marvelous is this accomplishment that its role in God's "eternal purpose" was hidden from the human race for over four millennia. As it is written, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ); which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:4-6).
The words "Abba, Father" are an expression that announce the uniting of all humanity in Christ Jesus. With one accord they confidently call on the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a great thing has been accomplished in Jesus!
Jesus was about to be "made sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21), and "made a curse" as well (Gal 3:13). 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! Neither, indeed, was it the cry of an infant or a small child. It was the cry of a discerning spirit who knew the trial that faced him, and the Father who could sustain Him.
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."
PRAYER POINT: Father, In the name of Jesus, I thank You for being Father who hears, sustains, and directs. I praise You for hearing and considering my cries.