Since I began following Jesus, I’ve found relating to Him comes pretty easily. Jesus is approachable, He loves me, died for me, He’s merciful and forgiving. However, relating to “Abba” Father has been difficult for me, probably because I had a rather harsh earthly father, and didn’t have a good relationship with him.
As I was reading the gospel of John, chapter 1 this week, I was so struck by how that scripture glorifies Jesus and declares He is God. Somehow, I have thought of God the Father differently than Jesus. I was reminded of some of the things Jesus said. In John 10:30, He said, “I and the Father are one.” The Jews were so angry in response to Jesus statement, they picked up stones to kill him. They were outraged because they knew Jesus was saying He was God. (vs. 33)
In John 14, Jesus told the disciples He was going to prepare a place for them and would come again to bring them with Him. Jesus said, “You know the way to where I am going.“ In response, Thomas argued that they didn’t know where He was going, much less the way. Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Phillip pleads with Jesus, “Show us the Father and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Phillip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature.” Clearly Jesus and Father God are equally loving, accepting, merciful and forgiving. Also, both are equally powerful, from the beginning, sovereign, and holy. If you have a hard time relating to Father God, get to know Jesus and you will know Abba Father.
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