"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." - John 16:24
Here, Jesus is reassuring his followers that he is providing a new way of access to God before he leaves Earth. Before you are showered with reasons why it is in your best interest to ask God for things, in his name of course, let's look further at the context of this verse:
Jesus is talking to the disciples because he overhears them murmuring about how he is going back to be with the Father. Sensing their apprehension, Jesus reminds the disciples that their grieving will soon turn to joy. That's right! This verse deals with disciples worrying that Jesus' departure will cause much pain and sadness. We know the disciples are worrying about Jesus leaving Earth to be with the father because Jesus references the disciples sadness and trial in this moment in verse 22.
Just like the disciples grieving over the loss of Jesus in physical form, trials often take on the disguise of something good being taken from us, whether it be a loved one, a possession we once had, and/or an intangible being taken, like happiness, peace, and hope. The disciples' were justified to feel the grief and sorrow upon losing a dear friend, but Jesus reminds them to look ahead to the fulfilling of Scripture and how his departure is part of a bigger plan. Though the sorrow may last for a moment, this grieving will be replaced with joy (v. 22). Yet, from the perspective of the disciples, it looks like God is taking Jesus away from them. Sounds like a perfect recipe for grieving and deep sadness. However, God has plenty in store for the disciples, and it comes in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Earlier in John (chapter 14), Jesus promises the disciples that "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name..." (John 14:12-13). Though Jesus' departure could be seen as painful, greater things are coming because of it. In fact, John 14:26 says, "...the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all the things and remind you of everything I have said to you." Though Jesus was going, he was leaving behind part of himself to the disciples (and to us!) that would continue the plan God has. In fact, Jesus says in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you... Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Now, God's will for you isn't to go through pain (see John 10:10 - don't confuse the Savior's job with the Devil's job), but good will come of the pain (Genesis 50:19). Ultimately, our focus should be on what God can and will do through the struggle.
But, what does the disciples' grieving over Jesus departure and him leaving us with the Holy Spirit have to do with asking God for anything in his name?
For one, God has an incredible plan, and he will use those trials to achieve the plan and purpose. Even though we go through trials throughout our earthly existence, God has a plan through it, and that plan is worth trusting. He had a plan even after Jesus left to be with him, and he continues to have a plan when we experience pain like the disciples did. When we ask God for anything in his name, we are trusting him to do what he does: give in abundance - it's part of his plan.
Let's go back to John 16:24: "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
According to this verse, God has gifted us with his generosity. He gives us what we ask for, including joy. When we ask in his name, we receive. We receive an abundance of blessing in the midst of struggle. We receive a helper, the Holy Spirit, and we receive peace.
When we ask in his name, it implies that our hearts are in alignment with his will. His will is perfect (Romans 12:2), so if we ask for what is in alignment with his will, we will receive it. According to Matthew Henry Commentary on this verse, “Asking in Christ’s name, is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favors, and shows full dependence upon Christ…” This also means that asking in Christ’s name comes with a price: humility. When we humbly accept that all good things come from God, and the things that feed the Spirit (not the flesh, like a sports car or $1m) come from him, we receive them because he is generous and good. When we ask in his name, we are asking for things that God is in the business of giving – so when we ask for the things he gives, he will give it. If we ask for prosperity through hardships, he will give it to you because you are asking for a spiritual blessing that God is in the business of giving. He knows what is good for the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and it’s the heart where all good things flow (Proverbs 4:23). He desires to give us supernatural freedom and prosperity, and when we are open to receiving the supernatural from him, he pours those gifts into our existence. As we ask, he downloads his perspective, his heart, and his will into your heart and mind. We begin to think the way he thinks because we are in the humble position to do so. Asking God in his name means we are considering his plan and the way he gives, not to satisfy our flesh, but to build us up in Spirit. Therefore, when we ask, God knows how to give us exactly what we need, even if we are asking for the wrong thing in the moment. The disciples experienced this with Jesus while he was on Earth.
In John 14 and 16, Jesus encouraged the disciples before his departure to be with God. In the midst of trial, Jesus reminded them that he is leaving something behind (the Holy Spirit, as well as peace) - part of God's plan. In other words, Jesus knew what the disciples needed. They need peace and joy, which Jesus later promises them (John 14:27). The disciples didn't even ask, yet Jesus knew! How much more will God give in times of trial when we ask him directly! The disciples received, so that their joy would be complete! And remember: grieving is not a bad thing. Jesus even says, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and no one will take away your joy." Jesus promises that their joy will be complete through the process of grieving; grieving is not eternal, but joy will be!
Do this: Memorize John 14:27 in moments of trial. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Why? Jesus gives you peace, and much, much more. We know he gives because of John 16:24. Ask and you will receive. Identify what God is in the business of giving by getting to know his heart, then start asking! Watch him give!
Jesus is talking to the disciples because he overhears them murmuring about how he is going back to be with the Father. Sensing their apprehension, Jesus reminds the disciples that their grieving will soon turn to joy. That's right! This verse deals with disciples worrying that Jesus' departure will cause much pain and sadness. We know the disciples are worrying about Jesus leaving Earth to be with the father because Jesus references the disciples sadness and trial in this moment in verse 22.
Just like the disciples grieving over the loss of Jesus in physical form, trials often take on the disguise of something good being taken from us, whether it be a loved one, a possession we once had, and/or an intangible being taken, like happiness, peace, and hope. The disciples' were justified to feel the grief and sorrow upon losing a dear friend, but Jesus reminds them to look ahead to the fulfilling of Scripture and how his departure is part of a bigger plan. Though the sorrow may last for a moment, this grieving will be replaced with joy (v. 22). Yet, from the perspective of the disciples, it looks like God is taking Jesus away from them. Sounds like a perfect recipe for grieving and deep sadness. However, God has plenty in store for the disciples, and it comes in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Earlier in John (chapter 14), Jesus promises the disciples that "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name..." (John 14:12-13). Though Jesus' departure could be seen as painful, greater things are coming because of it. In fact, John 14:26 says, "...the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all the things and remind you of everything I have said to you." Though Jesus was going, he was leaving behind part of himself to the disciples (and to us!) that would continue the plan God has. In fact, Jesus says in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you... Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Now, God's will for you isn't to go through pain (see John 10:10 - don't confuse the Savior's job with the Devil's job), but good will come of the pain (Genesis 50:19). Ultimately, our focus should be on what God can and will do through the struggle.
But, what does the disciples' grieving over Jesus departure and him leaving us with the Holy Spirit have to do with asking God for anything in his name?
For one, God has an incredible plan, and he will use those trials to achieve the plan and purpose. Even though we go through trials throughout our earthly existence, God has a plan through it, and that plan is worth trusting. He had a plan even after Jesus left to be with him, and he continues to have a plan when we experience pain like the disciples did. When we ask God for anything in his name, we are trusting him to do what he does: give in abundance - it's part of his plan.
Let's go back to John 16:24: "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
According to this verse, God has gifted us with his generosity. He gives us what we ask for, including joy. When we ask in his name, we receive. We receive an abundance of blessing in the midst of struggle. We receive a helper, the Holy Spirit, and we receive peace.
When we ask in his name, it implies that our hearts are in alignment with his will. His will is perfect (Romans 12:2), so if we ask for what is in alignment with his will, we will receive it. According to Matthew Henry Commentary on this verse, “Asking in Christ’s name, is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favors, and shows full dependence upon Christ…” This also means that asking in Christ’s name comes with a price: humility. When we humbly accept that all good things come from God, and the things that feed the Spirit (not the flesh, like a sports car or $1m) come from him, we receive them because he is generous and good. When we ask in his name, we are asking for things that God is in the business of giving – so when we ask for the things he gives, he will give it. If we ask for prosperity through hardships, he will give it to you because you are asking for a spiritual blessing that God is in the business of giving. He knows what is good for the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and it’s the heart where all good things flow (Proverbs 4:23). He desires to give us supernatural freedom and prosperity, and when we are open to receiving the supernatural from him, he pours those gifts into our existence. As we ask, he downloads his perspective, his heart, and his will into your heart and mind. We begin to think the way he thinks because we are in the humble position to do so. Asking God in his name means we are considering his plan and the way he gives, not to satisfy our flesh, but to build us up in Spirit. Therefore, when we ask, God knows how to give us exactly what we need, even if we are asking for the wrong thing in the moment. The disciples experienced this with Jesus while he was on Earth.
In John 14 and 16, Jesus encouraged the disciples before his departure to be with God. In the midst of trial, Jesus reminded them that he is leaving something behind (the Holy Spirit, as well as peace) - part of God's plan. In other words, Jesus knew what the disciples needed. They need peace and joy, which Jesus later promises them (John 14:27). The disciples didn't even ask, yet Jesus knew! How much more will God give in times of trial when we ask him directly! The disciples received, so that their joy would be complete! And remember: grieving is not a bad thing. Jesus even says, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and no one will take away your joy." Jesus promises that their joy will be complete through the process of grieving; grieving is not eternal, but joy will be!
Do this: Memorize John 14:27 in moments of trial. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Why? Jesus gives you peace, and much, much more. We know he gives because of John 16:24. Ask and you will receive. Identify what God is in the business of giving by getting to know his heart, then start asking! Watch him give!