The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

ABBA, FATHER

Jesus was a Son. Understanding Jesus’ relationship to his Father is essential to understanding who Jesus is. When Jesus prayed in this passage, he used the word “Abba,” which is the Aramaic word for “dad.” When Jesus uttered his Father’s name in both terms, it revealed a love both in his heart language and in the common language of the day, and it represents Jesus talking to God in the most personal of terms. Jesus talked to his Father as a loving son would talk to his dad.

The circumstances of this conversation were dire. Jesus was talking about “the hour” and “the cup” he was to drink, which foreshadowed his impending death (Mk 10:38). Figuratively, the cup held God’s judgment for the sin of the world. Jesus knew that he had to drink it in order to fulfill the Father’s plan for his life, for the redemption of his people.

In Jesus’ suffering, we discover a wonderful truth about God’s love. Our heavenly Father works everything together for the greatest good in the long run, even if that good requires difficult seasons for his children in the short run. The presence of pain and suffering does not negate the goodness of God as a Father to his children. Instead, God’s presence is what helps carry his people through pain and suffering. Believers can look to God and call him “dad” as well: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’ ” (Ro 8:15).

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice, which made it possible for me to know God as Father, as Abba, as Dad. Amen.