Abba

Abba is an endearing form of the Hebrew word for Father (“Av”) and was used in the Aramaic language of Jesus’ day. The term is still used in Modern Hebrew. “Abba” is found three times in the New Testament: Mark 14:36 (when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane), Romans 8:15, and Galatians 4:6.

Four summers ago Nathan and I went to Israel with our church in Alabama (my dream trip). Everywhere we went we couldn’t get over the fact that we were looking at the land of the Bible…the location of most of the Bible events…the very soil where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob camped, Joshua conquered, Israel disobeyed, David was anointed and built God’s city Jerusalem, Solomon built the Temple…the land where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We saw the city where He entered this world as a tiny baby, the town where He was known as a carpenter’s son, the blessed river where He was baptized, the monstrous yet beautiful lake upon which He walked, the city where He was crucified and resurrected, the mountain where He ascended and where He will return one day... and so much more.

When we visited the Jordan River Nathan stepped away from the group. When we returned to the bus, he shared with me what later became one of his most cherished moments of the trip. I’ll tell the story in first person:

While I was waiting on the group I was kind of to myself. I noticed a small Hebrew toddler with his family. Just like toddlers do, he walked independently for the most part. Then he just threw up his arms (like toddlers do when they want you to pick them up) and just yelled “Abba! Abba! Abba!” His parents moved towards him and his dad scooped him up like dads do.

Romans 8:14-15  “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

If you want to know how to become a child of God I would love to share! The following website is a great tool to guide you! http://www.sbc.net/knowjesus/theplan.asp