Comforting Words #12

Jesus explained God’s mysteries to His disciples.

“So, they were saying, ‘What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” (John 16:8) His words seemed like a riddle to them. We are looking back, and it is obvious that Jesus was talking about His death and in “a little while’ His resurrection.

“And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. (John 16:23-28 NASB)

Asking the Father in the name of Jesus is to ask as Jesus would. Thankfully, Jesus taught us to pray. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.“ (Matthew 6:10) These were not meaningless words to Jesus but proved true to the giving of His life. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39 NASB) Praying to the Father is mostly for understanding, similar to the disciples who asked Jesus. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NASB)