Welcome to A Journey through the New Testament! In this series, we will systematically journey through every chapter in the New Testament, unveiling the marvelous insights that can be found in the scriptures.
From ancient days, God has unequivocally established Himself as the one true and living God, challenging any to prove otherwise (Isaiah 44:7). He stands alone in His divine majesty.
Moreover, God is not just any deity; He is holy, sacred, and set apart. Isaiah, when confronted with the overwhelming holiness of God, declared himself a man of unclean lips. God's holiness illuminated the darkness not just within Isaiah, but all others. Recognizing this profound holiness, our prayers are commanded to acknowledge that He is hallowed.
To hallow means to render acknowledgment, to venerate, and to separate from the profane. As Psalm 86:8 states, "Among the gods, there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works." While this truth holds, Jesus introduces a significant transition.
Matthew 6:9
After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
In expressing the holiness of God, this prayer isn't just a reminder of His exalted nature but also a proclamation of our newfound identity. Despite God's unparalleled holiness, His desire was to have offspring of His own kind, achieved through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, transforming us into spiritual beings in Christ (Romans 8:9).
Even as we acknowledge God's hallowed nature in prayer, it's a reminder that we, too, have been embraced into His family, sharing in His holiness through the Holy Spirit. In essence, the opening line of the Lord's prayer signifies not only the holiness of God but also our hallowed status as His beloved children.
Written by Kareem Flowers, Sunrise with Jesus
Do you see how special it is to be able to call God your Father? This is not simply a title but it is an actuality. Share in the comments what this means to you.