Abraham was described as a friend of God. King David was a man after God’s own heart. But it was Jesus who first addressed the Father with endearment that is reserved for dear children. “And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You…’” (Mark 14:36).

“Abba, Father”

The term “Abba” is the Aramaic for “Father”. It was not the formal term used by servants, but a more intimate and familiar term reserved for the master’s own children. The Jews of Jesus’ day felt it was too intimate so they hesitated to use it in reference God. This expression could be translated, “Dear Father.”

Abba was also used by the apostle Paul to illustrate the intimacy God has with His adopted children in Christ. In baptism, we are freed from sin and become slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). To God, we become more than just servants. He makes us His children. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).

Those who come to Jesus Christ by faith for salvation, God adopts as His own children. “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6).

Again, Paul wrote in Romans 8:15: “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!’”

What an amazing and gracious God we have who has made such a relationship possible! This was His plan from the very beginning. “‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ Says the LORD Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Intimacy

These truths help us understand that God is seeking more than a vague or distant relationship with His people. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to become consumed with the day-to-day and forget that the Creator of the universe has been mindful of us. It’s easy to forget what God has done to reconcile and bring us close to Him. 

God’s eternal purpose is not that His people should relegate Him to an afterthought or to honor Him with the occasional act of worship once or twice a week. Our heavenly Father yearns for us bear the family resemblance of holiness and righteousness, and to share in His glory (Colossians 3:4). He wants us to draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us (James 4:8).

Reverence

While some avoid the intimacy God seeks with His adopted children, others embrace it to such an extent that they violate other important truths. They want to “feel” close to God, but they forget to maintain the respect and reverence owed to Him as God Almighty. As a result, they mistake irreverence and disrespect for intimacy, taking an overly casual approach to their relationship and the worship of God.

In Jesus' day, even among “dear children”, the authority of the father was always honored within the household. Likewise, even though Jesus cried out “Abba, Father!”, He still said, “Not My will, but Yours, be done"  (Luke 22:42). He teaches us to maintain this same reverence in our own prayers. In His model prayer He instructs us to say, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed by Your name” (Matthew 6:9).

We can understand, therefore, that the expression “Abba, Father” reflects the balance of intimacy and respect that is necessary for God’s people to draw near to Him. As James wrote in James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Then continues in verse 10 with, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will life you up.”