Matthew's gospel opens and closes by identifying Jesus by the name “Immanuel” meaning God with us. When the angel appears to Joseph about the birth of Christ in Matthew 1, this name, first spoken by the prophet Isaiah, is given. In Matthew 28, Jesus commissions His disciples saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These two proclamations invite us today to experience the presence of God made tangible through the sacrifice of the cross.
In the midst of trying to find a new normal, we, as Christians, are anticipating with hope the remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection. The celebration of Easter marks the crux of our faith, the victory of life over death.
Prior to the arrest leading to His death, Jesus found Himself in the place many of us find ourselves in at this time. He was isolated or practicing “social distancing”, if you will. Jesus knew His time had come, so He withdrew with Peter, James, and John to the Garden of Gethsemane. Filled with sorrow and trouble, He asked His friends to pray, and He stepped a distance away from them to be with the Father. Speaking in deep honesty and vulnerability, Christ laid His desire, hurt, and will before God saying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36) In the middle of distress, Jesus returned to His disciples to find them sleeping. After waking them to join Him in prayer, He again stepped away to the presence of the Father. This happened three times throughout the account of the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, longing for comfort, called together His closest companions, yet in their human weakness, they could not provide the support He needed. It does not mean that Peter, James, and John didn’t love Jesus; it simply means they were human. Humans are incapable of giving what only God can give. Only communion with His Father could strengthen Him to stand and walk forward to become the sacrifice for the sins of all. This time of isolation in the presence of God, surrendering to the will of the Father, propelled Christ to change the world for eternity.
For us, this season is filled with alterations to our social norm. We are spending less face to face time with coworkers, friends, gym buddies, and students and more time with our families and well, ourselves. Although we are presented with a beautiful chance to rebuild, rely, forgive, and love those closest to us, we are also given a spectacular opportunity to draw close to our Father, the most life altering relationship of all. More than anything we need God. When events, circumstances, and relationships fall apart, our God stands. When distress is great and loneliness sets in, our relationship with God remains.
We are called to follow the example of Jesus and withdraw into the presence of the King of kings. We have the privilege to come before the Father with the same intimacy and vulnerability as Christ did in the garden because of our identity as His sons and daughters. Romans 8:15-17 says,
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Did you catch that? We get to call God, “Abba, Father”. This is the same name Jesus used as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Imagine a young child reaching up to their father calling out “daddy”. It is in this childlike manner that we can cry out to our God. In this passage, the Greek verb used for “we cry” represents an intense cry of emotion like that of Jesus calling out in the garden that night and as He released His spirit on the cross. It is because of this sacrifice of Christ, that we can and must come to God in this exact same manner.
Here, it is important to note that Jesus did not separate Himself to pray to God only in these times of great distress. His time with the Father was habitual.
-After feeding the 5,000, Jesus prayed.
“After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23
-Before He called the 12 apostles, Jesus prayed.
“During those days He went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12
-In the midst of healing, Jesus prayed.
“Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
-As He traveled and taught, Jesus prayed.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.” Mark 1:35
Because of the beautiful example, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus, we are able to create this same habit. When Christ died, the veil was torn welcoming all people of faith into the presence of God. As daughters of the King, we have the honor and gift of stepping into His presence whenever we want. In the good times, we celebrate with Him and praise Him. In the bad, we pour out all of our fears and tears before him. In all things, He is there and He is good. Your “Abba, Father” is eager to be with you!