We are discussing John chapter 14 as part of a series.
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:13, 14).
How often have you blamed the Lord; "Lord, I ask and ask, and ask, and ask in your name but I do not receive?" What do we ask for and with which motivation? Last week we have discussed the god that many Christians actually serve, which is Mammon. Do you think the Lord will give you the nice car and house you ask for to suit your lifestyle?
The above words were written in the context of the previous verse. Earlier we have proved that Jesus was in the Father as the Father was in Him. He did nothing out of His own. When He was therefore challenged with a faith situation, He first asked Father to give Him that which He needed to accomplish the task, including the faith. I have often wondered why Jesus waited for four days before He attended to Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Then a thought came to me. This was not an easy miracle and Jesus needed to spend more time than usual to consult with Father and receive what He needed to do this great miracle. Remember that, although Jesus was both God and man while on earth, He did not use His godly powers. For Him to identify with man He had to become in all respects just like us.
When Jesus called Lazarus forth, as recorded in John 11:43, we see the following: "the dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." Was it possible for Lazarus to walk out of the tomb with his hands and feet bound to his body and his face covered with a cloth? No. So how did he get out? The power of God lifted him and brought him out, Hallelujah!
Jesus therefore actually said in our passage under discussion: "Whatever you need for the sake of My Kingdom here on earth, just ask for it in My name and I will do it so that the Son may bring glory to the Father". Asking for all kinds of things to suit our own comfort, to make life easier for us and rid us of our personal troubles is not what Jesus meant in this invitation. Once again we can link up with 1 John 5:14 & 15: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.” Father God desires only a few things, namely souls and truth (1 Timothy 2:4), obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) and faith (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore before we ask anything of God it will be wise to establish the Father’s will regarding these basic guidelines first and then ask for anything we might need in order to establish His Kingdom here on earth.
Father, please share with me your will regarding your Kingdom for my life, in Jesus name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment