OUR FATHER

N.T. Wright writes, “The first occurrence in the Hebrew Bible of the idea of God as the Father comes when Moses marches in boldly to stand before Pharaoh, and says: Thus says YHWH: Israel is my son, my firstborn; let my people go, that they may serve me (Exodus 4:22-23). For Israel to call God ‘Father’, then, was to hold on to the hope of liberty. The slaves were called to sons.

When Jesus tells his disciples to call God ‘Father’, then, those with ears to hear will understand. He wants us to get ready for the new Exodus. We are going to be free at last. This is the Advent hope, the hope of the coming of the Kingdom of God. The tyrant’s grip is going to be broken, and we shall be free.”

Our sonship is our hope of freedom. It has been promised to us and must be claimed and possessed by us. Free at last.

“Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Jesus