The word 'Abba' appears three times in the New Testament. It is an Aramaic word that children used to address their fathers. It can translate as Daddy. Jesus used it to address his dad in the garden of Gethsemane when wrestling with the fear of the cross and his temptation to quit his mission. He prays that God will take the cup of suffering from him: the suffering that is deserved by others and not Jesus himself. Jesus asks the cup be taken away from him, but within that request, he addresses God as Abba. Even in a moment of crisis Jesus is so sure in his relationship with his father that he is able to call him Abba. The relationship doesn't change despite Jesus being in turmoil.
Of course, there was a moment of separation later when Jesus couldn't call God father, but Jesus took that one so that we don't have to. So for us we can always approach God in confidence and trust as he is our heavenly father, our heavenly daddy. Jesus is our example and he is the greatest teacher of prayer that the world has ever seen. Also, as we will see tomorrow, there are other reasons why we can call God Abba too.
Your prayer task for today… So, for today, make sure that you make time to climb onto your Daddy's knee and tell him all about whatever is on your mind. He will be delighted to have your company.
John Martin-Jones
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