God Almighty, but also Abba, Father, Bible Devotional

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God Almighty, but also Abba, Father

“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible through you …” - Mark 14:36

Jesus spoke these words in a prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane near the end of his earthly life. Why are the words “Abba, Father” so unique? Let’s first collect some history on the word.

It is the first time in the Bible that we come upon the word Abba. It is Aramaic for father. Jesus used this term to express the intimate relationship between he and Almighty God. In the Old Testament we find the word Ab (Hebrew) meaning an earthly father. Occasionally in the Old Testament God is referred to as Father of Israel, etc. But never has anyone before Jesus displayed the intimate relationship between God and man. We do find Jesus relating to God as Father on many occasions.

So, what makes the words “Abba, Father” Jesus spoke in his prayer in the garden so significant?

Abba is used to make an intimate connection, or relationship, between a father and a child. Jesus was referring to Almighty God as his Father, so Jesus, then, is the Son, or God‘s Son. It is the never doubting trust in the Father: God Almighty of heaven and earth. The God of the Israelites is also our God. He is also Almighty God to us.

The question is: Do we have the right to call our God - Abba, Father? If so, when?

It is to be understood that Jesus could rightly say this because he was, and still is, God’s “Only Begotten Son”. But Jesus is not the only son of God. The only people who have the right to be so intimate with God to call Him “Abba, Father” are sons of the Father.

The apostle Paul admonished us in Romans 8:15 this way: “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”.

Only the children of a father have the right to be so intimate with him to call him father. The same is true with Almighty God. Those who He has adopted as His children have the right to call Him “Abba, Father”.

Paul further explains in a letter to the churches in Galatia this: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of His Son (Jesus Christ), into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father whereby thou art no more servant, but a son; and if a son, then heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:6-7

Now as sons, we have the right to call God Almighty - Abba, father.

We are no longer “servants” as many would have us believe. We act like lowly servants because we are told that we are, but it is time for God’s sons to start acting like we are sons and heirs to the Kingdom of God, We are sons, through adoption, and heirs with Christ: heirs to a heavenly Kingdom.

If you can truly say that you are a son of God through adoption, then you have the right to cry out “Abba, Father”.

What can a person do if they do not feel that intimate relationship between them and God? Maybe you are that person, and are ready to take the first step to becoming a true son of God, so you can call Him Abba, Father. In Acts 2:21 Peter is speaking to the crowd and says this: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord (Jesus Christ) shall be saved”. This is the first step. Accept Christ as Lord of your life.

It is our prayers that the Lord will keep you blessed.

Bishop M.D. Baughman

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