August 16, 2024

John 16:25-33 (HCSB)
Jesus the Victor
25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name. I am not telling you that I will make requests to the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 “Ah!” His disciples said. “Now You’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that You know everything and don’t need anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32 Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

David Bale
Looking back on part of Wednesday’s scripture, one of the teaching points that Jesus introduces the night before His death is that He told His followers, “Whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you” (John 14:13-14 NIV). When I was attending FUMC in Hendersonville growing up, I still remember wondering why most everyone, when they would finish praying, would usually end the prayer by saying, “...we ask this in Jesus’ name,” OR “in Jesus’ name, Amen.” Why is this important? As a kid, I just went along with the crowd. So, what does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus? Praying in the name of Jesus declares our association with the Savior. Our relationship with Jesus allows us to approach the Father. At salvation, we become God’s children through the redemptive work of the Son of God (Eph. 2:19). Jesus’ death opens a clear path to the Father’s presence. When the Savior offered Himself as the final priestly sacrifice (Heb. 7:26-28), the Temple veil that separated the Holy of Holies from man was torn in two (Mark 15:38). In that moment, access to God became available to all who believe. Through the Holy Spirit, we can talk to God directly without a human intermediary (Eph. 2:18). Let’s give Him thanks for the remarkable privilege of prayer.