May 25 Ask Anything

John 16:23-24 “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.”

WHY do we ask questions? (There’s another one.) Good questions guide us to learn what we don’t know, to clarify an issue, to gain knowledge and to understand. When you question with a willing mind, “wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10)
   We have seen how the disciples were confused about Jesus’ departing words. They asked Jesus many questions. They were unable before Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to grasp the full meaning of the Lord’s words. “In that day” – the day these men see the resurrected Lord, the day the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, the day they, too, in God’s power begin teaching, healing and saving  – will be the day the questions stop. Suddenly, they will know what they must know to be Jesus’ apostles. These fishermen, tax collectors, philosophers, rebels and rabbi school dropouts are about to become the preachers, evangelists, healers and teachers. They won’t have to ask the Father for these gifts. He will give them everything they need. The apostles received in truth the full knowledge of Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended to heaven. The wisdom of Christ “entered their heart”. Their lives changed. Then the world changed.
   Living in the power of Jesus’ resurrection opens us to asking and receiving. As we live obedient to the Lord, our Father in heaven will grant us the things we need. How often do we say, “God knew what I needed before I did.” We acknowledge the Lord’s care and provision for our spiritual and physical lives. The Helper helps us receive our needs.
   In the Spirit’s power we also ask the right questions about Jesus to gain understanding. We pay close attention to the answers. When the truth comes, you absorb what God says. You listen and live the truth in Jesus’ resurrection power to make his name known. With the Spirit’s help, the Son’s knowledge and the Father’s provision, you will have what you need to make an eternal difference in a broken world.  
   Remember from several lessons back, that praying in Jesus’ name comes from a loving relationship with our Lord. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in the same way Jesus would pray. In Jesus, our risen Savior, you are aligned with God to know and seek his will.
 
Prayer: Teach me, Jesus, to know what to ask of the Father. Spirit, empower me to be still and listen to hear the Father’s voice. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.