There is one passage of Scripture, and one verse in particular, that I believe most succinctly illustrates the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Heb. 1:1-3

Various translations give a more comprehensive picture. This Son, radiance of the glory of God, flawless expression of the nature of God (JB Phillips); this Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature (The Message); the Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God (NLT); The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like (NCV). To know Jesus, is to know Abba.We can know Abba, through Jesus, as we participate in the narrative of His earthly visit, by reading and reading into, the Gospels. We’ve been gifted with the inspired chronicles of a human life lived out as a perfect  demonstration of what Father is like. Consider one example from Luke’s account.

We’ve been gifted with the inspired chronicles of a human life lived out as a perfect demonstration of what Father is like. To know Jesus is to know Abba. Click To Tweet

Jesus is returning from a ministry trip and being welcomed by an adoring crowd. Lk.  8:40 In the midst, is a father who falls at the feet of Christ with a request to come pray for his severely ill twelve year old daughter. As Jesus replies to this father’s cry, he continues through the press of the crowd and then abruptly stops. He has perceived that power went out from him as a sick woman touched his robe with a faith filled reach. “Who touched me” he asks. Everyone denied it, while Peter surmised that because of the crowd it was impossible to know. But Jesus wanted to know who that “one” was. She comes trembling, falls at his feet, and gives testimony of how the power coming from Christ healed her. He takes time to speak with her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Jesus said that he did only what he saw the Father doing. Thus it begs the question of exactly who stopped in the midst of the crowd in Galilee on that day. I think it’s safe to “read into” this account, that the heart of Abba was responding to the cries of both the father and the woman. We know this about Jesus and we can know it about Abba as well, clearly conveying the message: You are not just “one in a crowd.” You are a “one and only”, an original, uniquely special to God. He feels your “reach” and will never pass you by.

God the Father Himself, is given a discernible form in the Book of Daniel: “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire.” Dan. 7:9 It’s interesting that this is the same description of Jesus in the Book of Revelation: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire.” Rev. 1:14

Jesus said that He and the Father were one. In response to Philip’s question to see the Father Jesus essentially said, “You’re looking at Him.” Jn. 14:9 Jesus had just told Thomas, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Another translation says: from now on you know Him through Me. Jn. 14:6-9 (emphasis mine)

You are not just “one in a crowd.” You are a “one and only”, an original, uniquely special to God. He feels your “reach” and will never pass you by. Click To Tweet

Know Jesus, know Abba. Jesus is the best example of a father you will ever find, though He never had natural children. He is called the “mystery of God.” Col. 2:2 In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. God gave us a treasure. 2 Cor. 4:6-7 He placed it in a human frame to give us an external, visible point of reference, in the man, Christ Jesus. Then He placed the Spirit of Jesus into our human frame to give us an internal, heartfelt point of reference. Rom. 8:9

More than just a one time bridge we cross over at salvation, knowing the Father is a continuation of knowing Jesus. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” Jn. 14:23

“That they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:2-3

“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me;  and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Jn. 17:25‭-‬26 NASB

…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom. 5:5 NASB

(You may be interested, or know of someone in need of encouragement in this area. See video resource below.)