Page 3 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

he common, everyday language of with the Father. In Gethsemane, our Lord
Judea and Galilee in the first cen- addressed Him as “Abba” (14:36), the
Ttury was Aramaic. Although the intimate term for “Father.” Using this
Lord Jesus likely used Hebrew and Greek title for God was considered too informal
on particular occasions, it is commonly ac- and presumptuous as it implied a direct
cepted that He spoke primarily Aramaic. personal relationship. But the relation-
Despite the fact that the Gospels are given ship between Father and Son could not be
to us in Greek, there are four incidents in closer. Amazingly, because of what Christ
the Savior’s life in which we are allowed to has done for us, we can use that same title
hear Him in His own words. Using Peter as we address our heavenly Father (Rom
as his source (who was present for three of 8:15; Gal 4:6). Can you not hear the Son’s
them), Mark records them all for us to hear. intimacy in that word?
Mark wants us to hear His tenderness. Our Mark wants us to hear His forsakenness.
Lord had just stopped the flow of blood in The Savior’s middle cry from the cross
the woman whose affliction lasted for 12 is the most mysterious: “Eloi, Eloi, lema
years. But then He needed to get the blood sabachthani?” (15:34), meaning, “My God,
flowing in Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter my God, why have you forsaken me?” As
who had just died. Taking her by the hand, the iniquities of us all were laid upon Him,
the Savior said, “Talitha cumi” (5:41), a holy God had to turn away. For us to be
meaning literally, “Little lamb, get up.” accepted, Christ must be forsaken. And
It is what a father might have said when Mark wants us to hear it in His own words.
waking up his little girl in the morning. We Interestingly, these four sayings were
might say something similar: “Honey, it’s all addressed to people who could not or
time to get up.” Can you not hear Christ’s would not hear them. Jairus’ daughter was
tenderness? dead. The man in Mark 7 was deaf. They
Mark wants us to hear His authority. could not hear. Christ prayed, “Abba …
The miracle in Decapolis was unusual remove this cup,” but it was not removed.
for at least three reasons. The man had It was the Father’s will that Christ drink
two afflictions, not just one: he was deaf that cup, and the Lord Jesus submitted
and mute. Second, there was the strange Himself to His will. His cry on the cross
activity of Jesus spitting and touching the was not answered. The verse Christ quoted
man’s tongue. Third, a single word from is followed by “O my God, I cry by day, but
Christ did something for both disabilities. you do not answer” (Psa 22:2 ESV). So these
He said, “Ephphatha” (7:34), meaning “Be Aramaic words were not heard/answered
opened.” His ears and his tongue obeyed by those addressed. But Mark wants us
and were opened/loosed. And the crowd to hear them. And when we listen to the
was “astonished beyond measure.” Can Savior in His own words, we hear again
you not hear the Savior’s power in that His tenderness, His authority, His intimacy
word? and His great sorrow. A lot is said in just
Mark wants us to hear His intimacy eight words.

TruthandTidings.com I April 2026 99 99