Orlik Gold Sliced in a sandblasted Peterson 313.
This is the first part of The Disciple's prayer. This study will be much more informal than some of the other teachings on the subject. I don't have all the knowledge and expertise - and certainly lack the knowledge of Greek - that people like John MacArthur have. But hopefully it will be well enough written to be understood.
We typically treat prayer like a written letter. I don't know why as it is an open conversation with the Almighty, but we see Jesus treating it in a similar fashion. "Our Father, who art in heaven" is the greeting.
Notice Jesus doesn't use a lot of flowery language to greet the recipient of the prayer. "Oh infinite and almighty God, Creator of the Universe" finds no place in Jesus' model prayer. Now this description of God is entirely accurate, but I'm sure He finds it wholly unimpressive. This type of prayer, with a lot of flowery speech and big words, is not designed to bring glory to the Father. It is to impress the people around the one uttering the nonsense.
To me, this type of greeting attempts to place us as equals with God. Lucifer tried that one time, it did not end well for him. Addressing God as "Daddy" puts is in humble submission to Him. It acknowledges his Lordship, His wonder, His infinite power. Let's face it, when we were kids, daddy could do anything. We never had any doubt daddy could fix something, could take care of that bully (boy I remember my daddy taking care of a bully one time! That was awesome!). "Daddy" puts us into submission, and we love it.
I think God prefers to be addressed as "Father." As a matter of fact, He uses that term to refer to Himself throughout the entire Bible, all the way from the table of contents to the maps! He refers to His followers as His children. He disciplines his followers as one would a child. He instructs them, He rewards them.
It has been said the Greek word Jesus used is "Abba", which literally translates to "Daddy". This term is so intimate and so innocent we rarely hear adults use it in reference to their earthly fathers. We do hear small children use it all the time, mine do.
God the Father desperately desires an intimate relationship with US. Can you believe it? We little pukes who try and pretend He doesn't exist, we little pukes who place our wisdom above his and make up fairy tales regarding the Creation. Yet, God says "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." Throughout the Bible and history, God the Father has pursued a relationship with His fallen and ungrateful Creation.
God is the model Father. "But my father was abusive. Why would I want any sort of relationship with God if He is like a Father?" God is the MODEL Father, not the imitation of a Father. One fine example of the type of Father God is, is the story of the Prodigal Son. This father had the worst type of son one could imagine. This little punk asked for his inheritance up front. "Dad, I wish you were dead. Give me what is coming to me and I'm taking off." Dad obliged. Junior went off and blew all his money and ended up feeding one of the most loathsome animals to the Jews - pigs. He even had to steal food from the swine. He finally decided to return home with his hat in his hands and ask for a servant's position. Meanwhile, dad has been waiting on the front porch the entire time waiting for Junior to come home. When Junior arrived, dad threw a party.
Dad had every right to tell Junior "You are not welcome here. You are no longer my son, go back to wherever it is you came from." Dad didn't do that, dad welcomed Junior and had the whole village show up and share in his joy.
This is one example of how our Father God looks at us. "But God punishes us!". Yes, God allows us to suffer the consequences of our stupid decisions. Yes, Father God will put an end to all evil. Don't you think He's been awfully patient with us in the mean time? Maybe now would be a good time to head back to the Father's house and ask for a servant's position.
Jesus always referred to God the Father as simply "Father". The only time in Scripture when He didn't is when He was on the cross dying. When Jesus took that punishment for us, He took on every sin you and I have ever or will ever commit. Sin separates us from God. Jesus the Son was profoundly separated from His Father when he was hanging on that cursed cross.
This is the only time in Scripture that Jesus began His prayer "My God!" How about that? Isn't that how we usually begin our prayers? "Oh God!" "My God!"
And finally "Who art in heaven". Our Heavenly Father is of course not of this world. He dwells here in spirit, but He is not the ruler of this world. Satan is. God the Son will return some day, God the Father is creating a new heaven and a new earth for His children once this one is destroyed. How is that for a paradox?
"Our Father, who art in heaven"
"Daddy, who lives in a perfect place"
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