Remember Who You’re Talking To
Yet Jesus also shows us what kind of a heavenly Father we have. He teaches us to go to our Father for everything we need (Mt 6:9–13; Lk 11:2–4). There is no need to be reticent, for we are to call him Abba (Mk 14:36; cf. Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6). There is no need to be timid, for he has a big house with plenty of rooms to spare (Jn 14:6; cf. Jer 3:19). There is no need to be fearful, for God will run to us, throw his arms around us and kiss us when we return from our prodigal wanderings (Lk 15:20). “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 Jn 3:1 NIV).
This address does, however, express forcibly the tension in the disciples’ attitude to God, who is at the same time in heaven, transcendent, all-powerful, the Lord of the universe and yet Our Father, concerned for the needs of each disciple, and entering into an intimate relationship with them.