Hi there,

I thought of sharing this in the afternoon at the Fellowship meeting but then again I realized that some of the people that I want to share this with do not come to our Tuesday Fellowship meetings because they are not DB people or are from out-of-town...

Jesus once asked His disciples when they were in Caesarea Philippi this question " Who do men say that I am?" and it is interesting to note that all four gospels recorded Jesus talking to His disciples about His impending death on the cross after this incident.

• Various people have used four names to address Jesus: -
  
  Teacher
  § Didaskalos ( Greek )
  § Instructor - as we would call the person who instructs our children in school.
  § This was the most commonly used term by the ordinary people who did not know Him on an intimate term and by the Pharisees and the Scribes of Jesus' time.
  
  Rabbi
  § Honorable Teacher
  § The Jews used this term on a slightly more endearing basis but it still places Jesus as a teacher and nothing else.
  § It is also interesting that the two times in the Bible where it recorded the term Judas Iscariot (the one who betrayed Him) used to address Jesus was the term "Rabbi" and nothing else. After three years of being with Jesus, Judas still treated Jesus as just a Rabbi.
  1. Matthew 26: 25 - Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" And Jesus said to him, "You have said it."
  2. Matthew 26: 49 - Immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
  
  Master
  § Epistates ( Greek )
  § Overseer.
  § The disciples once cried out to Jesus as Master when they were in the boat weathering that storm.
  
  Lord
  § Kurios ( Greek )
  § supreme in authority
  § A term used by those who received miracles.
  § In Mark 9; 14 -29, we have an incident where an anxious father brought a young boy who was demon-possessed and he wanted Jesus' disciples to cast out the spirits but they could not. When Jesus asked them what was the commotion, notice that the father at first addressed Jesus as Teacher and Jesus did not perform the healing but continued to encourage him in his faith. Finally, the father was convinced that here was the Lord and he exclaimed, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (verse 24). At that, Jesus rebuked the evil spirits and they left the boy.

In Ephesians 1: 18 - 22, Paul writes that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and that everything is now placed in subjection under Jesus' feet. Again we read in the book of Revelations that all will bow at the feet of Jesus (including the devil and his hosts).

Let us not just stop there. It is also interesting to note that there is a term, which Jesus came to introduce to this fallen world.

§ In John 1: 12, we read that those who believe in Jesus, who receive Him into their hearts, are called children of God. Where there are children, there will be a father and for those of us, who believe in Jesus, God is our Father. In fact Jesus taught His disciples (and us) to address God as Father when we pray.

§ In all the gospel accounts, whenever Jesus talked to God, He addressed God as Father; only once did Jesus called God, "God" and that was when He hung there for us on the cross and this is so that we can enjoy the position of Father-son which Jesus had. What Jesus lost on the cross on our account is our gain.

For those of us who are fathers, you will realize how intimate this is. Which father would not want to give of the best to his children? The extent that a father would go to just so that his children would have the best! Think of the Heavenly Father's heart the next time you call upon Him. What is it that your Father in Heaven has not planned and already dispenses with? What is it that your Heavenly Father would not give up since He has already given of the BEST that He had - Jesus Christ His Son?

And to top it all, He has given us a Good Friend to be by our side and to live inside us helping, guiding, rescuing us each time we ask of Him. It is amazing that the Bible was translated from Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) into English and all other known languages but there is a term that remains in its original Aramaic " Abba, Father " (Romans 8: 15). It is so intimate that no known language is sufficient / able to give a better picture. That is why the Holy Spirit intentionally left it there as it is. To call God, " Abba," is like calling Him "Dada", "Papa", "Daddy" and it is also one of the first words that a toddler will learn to say. Isn't it interesting that we can be so intimate with God our Father?

In fact, I am drawn to what a friend of mine once used as a term to address the Father - "Pa" and we have exchanged a few emails on that as well. It gives us a common platform to share and encourage each other in the faith.

So who is God in your life? You make your decision. But I know my Father will not disappoint me. He took care of my every need and solved all my problems and He is always there by my side. What joy! What comfort!

Best regards,
Andrew L W Lee

Dated : 10 July 2001