Lent 23 day 6

 Name

I know I've already said quite alot about God's name in the past few days. But there are probably several gazillion more things to be said about it,  so I shall just bother you with a few more

When Jesus calls God 'Father' in the Lord's prayer He is not using the word Abba.  God who has a holy, set apart, hallowed name is not to be approached as our Daddy.  He is Father.  We dont use the term Father much any more because in our 21st century world everything has become informal and casual.  But if you look back 100 years to the Victorian era you might get more of a sense of how Jesus is talking about His Father.   Picture a middle or upper class Victorian child being summoned into the study of his suited and booted, kind but disciplinarian father.  This child calls his Dad 'Father ' or 'Sir.'  There is a respect and almost a fear in the approach because that child knows that obedience is key to this
relationship.  He knows the Father loves him, but he is also aware that his behaviour is important as is his attitude, and that stepping out of line results in consequences.   I think these days we are sorely missing a level of respect for one another.  Just the other day I was in a cafe and the server called me Madam.  😊  it felt both old fashioned but also respectful and nice.  I have American friends whose children always call me Miss Caz ( despite the fact that I havent been a Miss for two decades!)   At first I objected and told them just to call me Caz.  But their American mother was quite insistent that she wanted them to call me Miss Caz.  As a mark of respect.  To remind the children that they are kids and Im an adult and my life experience and age affords me something not afforded to them.  Its not about value.  The children and I are of equal worth to God.  It is about honour.  Honouring people is good.  Preferring one another. Taking the lesser seat at the table.  You know what I mean

So Jesus approaches His own Father as Father.  Not as Dad.  Not as pal or chum or buddy.  Not as dictator either.  As His senior, respected, honoured parent.

Elsewhere Jesus prays to God as Abba Father.  Interesting that He uses both terms.  Daddy and Father.  He prays this way in the garden of Gethsemane.  When He needs the love of His Daddy but is still acknowledging the fact that His Daddy is a Father to be obeyed.    We see this again in Romans 8:15 when Paul talks about our adoption into sonship   The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”   

And in Galatians 4:6 we are told that it is the Holy Spirit who cries out Abba Father  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father

This past couple of days watching the Asbury outpouring and hearing some of the testimonies of what God is doing there I have been convicted that my approach to God has been so often that of the small child running to Daddy and perhaps not often enough the taking off the shoes, holy ground, called into the Father's study approach.   Of course there are times for both.  But familiarity breeds contempt and God doesnt really appreciate being taken for granted.

As we hallow His name, which name are we thinking about?  Dad or Father.  The one who lavishes love or the one who requires obedience?  The one who is cuddly or the one who is a bit scary?  Ive had to just tweak my thinking a bit this past week or so.  Maybe you need to tweak yours too?


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