A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 4 ABBA
Jesus spoke Aramaic, the day-to-day language of first century Jews. Scholars are able to pick out some of the Aramaic that underlies the Greek of the Gospels but very few of the original words have found their way into the Biblical text. One that has is 'Abba' - the word used by Jewish children for their 'daddy' and not spoken outside the family circle. What an incredible surprise, then, when Jesus used it in his prayers and told his disciples to do the same (Luke ll: 1-2)! It was, however, not a word to be used carelessly; if it encouraged confidence in approaching God it also spoke of dependence and the need for humility.
In two of his letters Paul used 'Abba' when reminding Christians that they were the 'adopted' children of God. It was a way of assuring them of God's personal love and care.
Many years ago I visited a young teenager who had made a commitment to Christ during a recent mission. The boy was out when I called but I met his father. Yes, he told me, his son was attending the local church and, yes, he had been different since the mission. For example, he didn't bring all his problems to his father any more. "You see, Dad" the boy had confided, "I've got someone else to talk to now". "I can tell you that shook me!" said the father. His son had discovered the secret of the Abba who listens!
Relevant Bible verses: Mark 14:36, Romans 8: 15-16, Galatians 4:6.
Howard Rady
Bible Corner Article Archive...
To view other articles click here