Daily Devotions
John
John 16 : 16 - 33 "THE NEW ROLE FOR JESUS"
Day 244 – John 16
THE NEW ROLE FOR JESUS
The Disciples once asked Jesus how they should pray. They were impressed by the fact that the Disciples of John seemed to be better at prayer than they were. Of course, Jesus Himself was outstanding as an example of one devoted to communion with His Father in prayer. As they looked at their own prayer life, they knew that they were lacking insofar as knowledge and experience were concerned. How could they improve their prayer-life?
The Gospel of Luke recorded the conversation the Disciples had with Jesus.
“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place,
when He ceased, that one of His Disciples said to Him,
‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'”
Luke 11:1
The famous reply given to them is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer”
(Luke 11:2-4). Let us read once again the pattern of prayer that Jesus taught His Disciples.
“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone
who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
Luke 11:2-4
The Lord’s Prayer recorded in the Gospel of Matthew is slightly different
(Matthew 6:9-13). Matthew’s version is slightly longer. Obviously, this was only a model for prayer, and not meant to be repeated as a prayer, otherwise, the same words would be found in both Gospels.
What is significantly missing in both versions of the Lord’s Prayer is that the Name of Jesus was not included! Why was this the case? The answer may be found in this text.
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing.
Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you
ask the Father in My Name He will give you.
Until now you have asked nothing in My Name.
Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:23-24
Jesus told His Disciples that they would see Him again! But when they see Him again, they would discover that He would play a new role! “In that day…” was a phrase that described Jesus as the Risen Lord! The Disciples were used to asking Jesus personally for anything and everything. However, after His resurrection from the dead, the Disciples would have to adjust to the fact that Jesus would not always be there with them everyday. They must learn to relate to Jesus in a fresh new way. They would have to learn how to pray with renewed confidence in His Name. The new role of Jesus was that of being their Intercessory High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10).
PRAYING IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS
Jesus was teaching His Disciples how they must learn how to plead in His Name. He might not be with them physically, but He was just a prayer away! They must pray as He had taught them. They may address God as their “Father in heaven”. They may make this addition to the way they spoke to God. They may ask in great confidence in the Name of Jesus and they would receive an answer from God. And as they received an answer to their prayers, so would they find fullness of joy!
It is important that we understand what Jesus meant when He spoke about the employment of His Name in prayer.
1. What it did not mean
a) Not as a means of manipulation
The Name of Jesus was not to be used to manipulate God. The very thought of this is both alien and repugnant.
b) Not as a formula to have a prayer answered
Neither was the Name of Jesus meant to be a formula! The very nature of prayer forbids the concept of a formula-approach to God.
2. What it did mean
a) Jesus would play a new role after His resurrection
It is important that this new role of Jesus be appreciated. Jesus would always be there with His Disciples. They would find Him there whenever they prayed. He would be their Intercessor. He would be their great High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-28).
b) The Name of Jesus would be truly matchless
The Apostle Paul’s comment about the Name of Jesus is worth noting. He wrote about how God Himself had given to Jesus a great and glorious Name.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and
given Him a Name which is above every name,
that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven, and of those on earth,
and of those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11
FULNESS OF JOY
How Jesus worked at comforting the hearts of His Disciples! They need not grieve as if they would never be able to relate to Him again. He would never leave them. He would be with them still – but in a new role. That thought must bring fullness of joy!