I have always been intrigued by Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. There we see Him at His lowest moment. There we see Him seeking His Father, all too aware of what is just ahead for Him. And it is there we see His will set for the suffering He will face. When Jesus leaves the Garden, there is no wavering. Through each trial, through every torture, through the hours on the cross, Jesus is in control. He answers His accusers when He chooses to do so. He forgives. He takes care of His mother. And when “it is finished,” He relinquishes His Spirit to His Father. This all was settled in the Garden.
One of the most precious moments in Jesus’ prayer is found Mark 14:36: “Abba, Father,” he said.
“Abba Father.” Jesus’ prayer was a prayer grounded in relationship. He was His Father’s Son and that night in His deepest distress, He did what He always did, He went to His Father in prayer. This was not the first time. The Gospels are full of references to Jesus praying in the night or early morning hours. His relationship with His Father was strong and vital and consistent.
What the Son had in His relationship with the Father can be ours too. Because of His sacrifice, we have been granted adoption into the Father’s family. This is a binding pledge by the Father to His children, granting them the full rights of sonship. We forfeited our right as God’s creation when mankind fell, but nothing can now take way our rights as sons and daughters to the Father’s love and protection. Jesus’ cry is now our cry also.
“Abba Father, hear my cry.”
