Asking

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 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 14:12-14

Jesus says it twice in this short passage – “ask for anything in my name and I will do it.” Why will he do it? He will do it because it will bring glory to the Father (vs 13). Bringing glory to the Father was Jesus’ mission and life work. He came to reveal to us what God the Father is really like. He told Philip that to see him (Jesus) was the same as seeing the Father (John 14:9). Showing the Father’s character – caring, compassionate, life-giving, truth-speaking, forgiving, loving God was Jesus’ mission on earth. God is One who wants more than anything to be involved with His creation in vital ways. Jesus was the living human expression of God on this earth. Now he has passed that ministry on to us who believe. We are to show the world what the Father is like by the way we conduct our lives.

Jesus states very clearly in verse 12 “The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” He has left us to be the living expression of the Father here on earth. Our challenge is always this, “What is the Father asking me to do that will glorify His name?” If we believe what Jesus said, we need to be asking that question. He has made so many promises to us; to guide us in the way we should go; to give us wisdom when we ask for it; to bring things to pass when we commit our way to him and trust in him; to make our way straight if we trust him and not on our own human understanding.

So many promises including the promise to give us grace for the tasks he wants us to do. Let’s step out and trust him to glorify himself through us as we obey his Word and abiding in his love. Let us ask him for the things that will bring glory to His name on the earth.

As we abide in Him and delight ourselves in Him, we will find our heart stirred with His desires. “Ask and you will receive that your joy may be complete.” John 16:24

Prayer:Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being one who can show the world what you are like. Help me to know what to ask you to do so that you will be glorified through my life and draw people into a vital and personal relationship with you. Most of all please help me to love this world as you did. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen