The Priestly Prayer of Jesus. “When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour is come.’” (John 17:1). The time to complete His self-emptying has arrived. He is ready to give Himself up, for no one can take His life from Him without …
Abba, Father – The Spirit of the Trinity. “Unless I go away, the Helper (Paraclete) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:7, 13). In this series “Abba, Father” I have been discussing different aspects …
Welcomed Into the Circle. “The prime purpose of the incarnation is to lift us up into a life of communion, of participation in the very triune life of God.” (James Torrance, Worship, Communion and the Triune God of Grace). “Truly the fellowship that we have is with the Father and the Son.” (1 John 1:3). Before the …
Abba, Father – Divine Intimacy. “The secret of the whole world of humanity is the love between the Father and the Son. This is at the root of it all. Upon the love between the Son and the Father hangs the whole universe.” (George MacDonald, Knowing the Risen Lord). Jesus would often probe the profound intimacy between Father …
Abba, Father – ‘Perfect’ Children. “Perfect” in Matthew 5:48 – whole, complete, fully mature, lacking nothing, well-rounded; in the context, “perfect” means completely moral; fully mature in character; well-rounded in virtue; lacking nothing in godliness. “Since you are children of a perfect Father in heaven, you are to be perfect like Him. Live out your God-created …
Picturing the Father. “The main thing in prayer is really not that we present particular petitions, but that we enter into communion, into a personal relationship with the Father. If I do nothing else but say from the bottom of my heart, ‘Dear heavenly Father,’ the main thing has already happened. The happy gift of …