March 25th, 2022
Good, Good Father
By Pastor Todd Crofford
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
-Mark 14:36 NIV
Islam has 99 names for God; not one of them translates as Father. Judaism proclaims God as Father in a metaphorical sense. Jesus alone gives invitation for us to see God with much greater intimacy. His habit of referencing Father God as Abba was borderline scandalous to the other teachers around him. This is a unique celebration point for Christians - God wants intimate relationship with us!
The term Abba reveals his affection for us, but there is more. Abba also indicates children’s willingness to obey their father. When speaking in Hebrew, the command “Son, clean your room” gets the response “Yes, Abba.” If a child knows the affection and protection of his father, he or she is more than willing to obey out of a trust that Father knows best.
The text above is a great example, showing Jesus as ready to obey the will of the father. The other Bible verses using Abba in the New Testament all have similar overtones of obedience. (See Romans 8:13, Galatians 4:4) If as a Christian we proclaim that God loves us, that He is perfect, and can be trusted- then we also must decide to obey Jim in everything He asks of us. Like the song says “You’re a good, good Father.”
In response, I want to be a joyfully obedient son.
How about you?
By Pastor Todd Crofford
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
-Mark 14:36 NIV
Islam has 99 names for God; not one of them translates as Father. Judaism proclaims God as Father in a metaphorical sense. Jesus alone gives invitation for us to see God with much greater intimacy. His habit of referencing Father God as Abba was borderline scandalous to the other teachers around him. This is a unique celebration point for Christians - God wants intimate relationship with us!
The term Abba reveals his affection for us, but there is more. Abba also indicates children’s willingness to obey their father. When speaking in Hebrew, the command “Son, clean your room” gets the response “Yes, Abba.” If a child knows the affection and protection of his father, he or she is more than willing to obey out of a trust that Father knows best.
The text above is a great example, showing Jesus as ready to obey the will of the father. The other Bible verses using Abba in the New Testament all have similar overtones of obedience. (See Romans 8:13, Galatians 4:4) If as a Christian we proclaim that God loves us, that He is perfect, and can be trusted- then we also must decide to obey Jim in everything He asks of us. Like the song says “You’re a good, good Father.”
In response, I want to be a joyfully obedient son.
How about you?
Posted in We Believe
Recent
Archive
2026
January
The Quiet Struggles Right Next to UsThank you... in advanceA New ThingA Personal GodNot a Moment of HesitationFaith, Family, and a Broken JarAll InThe SoapboxLord, Help Me See...Hidden for our GoodBorrowed KeysIncreasing CapacityDo You Feel It?Great BoldnessProlific SeedsChained, but not BoundRoadblocksI Can Do Hard ThingsNot the Easy WayThe OpportunistHoly Ground on the StairwellUrgent Work
February
United with PurposeGod Gives the GrowthWhat about me?A Guilty Mom, a Gracious God, and the Road HomeDiscipline over DesireWhat is your thorn?What does love require of me?Comparison is a ThiefTrying to be holy in a distracted worldReplacementThe Joyful MessengerTwo Wrongs Don't Make a RightBut How Does It End?Holy Intentions, Human DistractionsLive a Worthy LifePray for MeBut is it true?On this DayWords that Build a Better WorldFor What Is True
March
People over ProcessHe CaresA Fuzzy PerspectiveFaith is the Only Currency that CountsLeading through ServingCall to ActionWe are the MinistersLet Me Tell You SomethingBiting my TongueWeird StuffWhy Wait?Are You Looking For Him?The Harvest Starts with PrayerStop the Haggle, Start the SurrenderFairSought AfterServant LeadershipGlory in the MidfieldUnapologetically HisAs Best You CanPositionJesus is our High Priest
2025
January
Paralysis of AnalysisA Daily CommitmentChild Like FaithThe Battle of the MindGPSSTOP. THINK. ACT. REVIEW.Let. It. Go.Choosing the Path of MercyQuick to Listen, Slow to SpeakPeacemakersBe Careful What You Wish ForRunYour Old Self Vs. The NewOn Not Loving the WorldLove One AnotherTreasure ChestsWho Sets the Bar?Be the You God Made You to BeTread a PathSo Much Better
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments