Ask in my Name
TRANSLATION
(23) “In that day you will no longer (need to) ask me anything. Truly, I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (24) Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.
(25) “Although I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech, the time is coming when I will no longer use figures of speech with you but will tell you plainly about my Father. (26) In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will ask the Father on your behalf, (27) for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. (28) I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
(29) Then his disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and not using figures of speech. (30) Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to ask you questions. This is why we believe that you have come from God.” (31) Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? (32) A time is coming and has now come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me alone, yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. (33) I have spoken these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
OBSERVATIONS
A number of important repetitions are found in this closing segment of John 16. The first phrase, “in that day,” was repeated (vss. 23 & 26) as was the verb, “ask,” six times, three accompanied by the phrase, “in my name” (vss. 23, 24 & 26). The phrase, “in figures of speech,” was used twice by Jesus and once by his disciples (in vss. 25 & 29). “Father” is found six times (in vss. 25, 26, 27, 28, & 32). “Loves/ed” occurred twice (in vs. 27) and the verb, “believe(d),” three times (in vss. 27, 30, & 31). “World” (vs. 28) and “alone” (vs. 32) also were repeated in each of the verses where they occurred.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus encouraged his disciples to trust the Father to reveal all things to them. (23-28)
II. Jesus both warned and exhorted his disciples regarding the testings they would face. (29-33)
IDEA STATEMENT
Before leaving his disciples, Jesus encouraged them with the knowledge that the Father’s love would sustain them and that the Son’s coming triumph over the world would bring them peace.
APPLICATION
Jesus left his disciples with a great promise just before departing: “Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” He then commanded them to ask. Clearly, he felt the need to overcome their reluctance to pray, something with which believers of all ages struggle. Why our prayer lives tend to be so anemic when they could be so dynamic is likely due to the weakness of our faith, our failure to count on the truth that God will hear and answer us when we come to him. If we were to take Jesus at his word, that the Father will surely respond to our prayers when we offer them in his Son’s name, we would certainly pray more frequently and fervently.
Such faith is the means by which we share in the victory that Jesus declared he would achieve for us through his death and resurrection. If by his death and resurrection he has overcome the world, we can by faith overcome whatever obstacles we face in our lives as we trust in his great promises. In her great hymn, Victory through Grace, Fannie J. Crosby gave us the following refrain:
Not to the strong is the battle, not to the swift is the race,
Yet, to the true and the faithful, victory is promised through grace.
That clearly marks out for us how we are to live victoriously in the strength that God will surely supply.