October 30th~In Jesus Name

John 13:31-38

Mark 14:27-31

Matthew 26:31-35

Luke 22:31-38

John 14:1-15:17

After Judas left and the Passover meal was finished, Jesus took some time to talk with His disciples. It would be last time before His arrest that He would have alone with them. What He shared is only recorded in the book of John; the other three Gospels (sometimes called the Synoptic Gospels because of their similarities) recorded the Passover meal and the washing of the disciples’ feet, but not the teaching. These “last words” of Jesus are some of the most meaningful of His ministry (John 13-17).

The topics that were covered today included Peter’s denial of Jesus, the reaffirmation of the exclusivity of Christ — “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man can come to the Father except through Me” (14:6) — the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the new commandment of loving others, and an explanation of fruitful followers.

Also included in our passage were three statements that are often misunderstood. First, Jesus said, “Now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am” (14:28). If Jesus is fully God, and He and the Father are one, then how can the Father be greater than He is? The answer is quite simple, when one remembers that Jesus chose to limit Himself in order to take on flesh as a man. While on earth, the Father was greater than He was, but after His return to heaven, Christ reassumed His former position and power.

Second, Jesus said, “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches; he has no power over Me, but I will do what the Father requires of Me” (14:30, 31). The “prince of this world” is Satan, who does not have power over Jesus. However, Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, tried, and crucified, which is what Satan wanted and what God ordained.

A third statement that is misunderstood is this, when Jesus said, “You can ask for anything in My name and I will do it...” (14:13, 14). He also said, “If you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like and it will be granted... So then, the Father will give you whatever you ask for using My name” (15:7, 16). Of course, this is where the popular phrase, “In Jesus’ name,” was added to the end of our prayers.

Daily Reflection

This phrase, “In Jesus name,” does not hold some magical power to grant all of your wishes. God answers prayers without your using this phrase and He chooses, at times, not to answer prayers even when you use that phrase. To emphasize the phrase is to miss the point. The point is to “remain in Him, to do the same works as He has done, and to bear Christ-like fruit” (14:12; 15:5-8).

In other words, the phrase, “In Jesus’ name,” was never meant to be a special key for you to name or claim whatever you want. The phrase indicates who is to receive the glory for what is done. Thus, are the things you pray for meant to glorify God or glorify yourself?

Are you guilty of using this phrase in a careless way? Is it a meaningless part of a routine? “Remaining in Christ” means that you have surrendered to Him, that you are trusting in Him, that you are obeying His instructions, and that you are seeking to live like Him. His concerns are your concerns. His agenda is your agenda, and His purposes are your purposes. His desire may not be to give you more stuff or to make your life more comfortable or convenient. His desire is for you to become more like Christ. Are you praying toward that end? Then, ask what you wish and He will answer it.

BiAY.org | Day 303 — 62 Days to Go