“In that day you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you. 24Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.” John 16:23-24 AMP

To understand the statement, the Jesus is making to the disciples, we need to know the context of the conversation. This verse appears in the great “last Supper” discourse with the disciples beginning in chapter 13. Jesus covers a lot of ground in these chapters but every issue points to the coming crucifixion, the departure of the Master, and the soon coming persecution of the believer. Taken out of context, we could say that the verse is telling us that we can ask for anything and He will give it however, we should take notice of the first words of the verse, “In that day…” In what day? Jesus is talking about the coming days when the disciples will finally realize the truth of Jesus mission. Remember the word of the Savior earlier to the disciples?

““I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father–the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].” John 16:12-13 AMP

Before the disciples asked some ignorant questions, impertinent questions, ambitious questions, and even some curious ones, but once the Holy Spirit would come upon them they would no longer ask for they would know! The whole focus of these chapters was a central message of peace after the departure of Jesus. The promise was that the Holy Spirit would speak plainly to them and not in cloaked parables as in the past.

If you look to the speech of the Apostle Peter, you will see a clarity and insight that was never seen before in the man who denied Christ at the fire. The wisdom of the Holy Spirit connected to the power of the Holy Spirit cause a spirit of conviction over the people that the cried out, “What must we do to be saved?” The pattern prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was that the Father reveled to the Son, the Son then to the disciples but now, the Holy Spirit would be directly communicating with us that which He hears in heaven today! 

When asking the Father in Christ’s name we acknowledge our dependance upon the work of our Savior. It reminds us that whatsoever we ask in conformity to God’s will, He will grant it for from the Father comes ever good and perfect gift! What Christ purchased by the merit of His death, He needed not for Himself, but intended it, and consigned it to His faithful followers. The key to this promise is that what we ask is in accordance with His will. In his First Epistle John wrote,

“This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.” 1 John 5:14 AMP

This promise is for the days coming before the disciples. They will be hated, hunted, and ultimately fulfill the words of Jesus that they would face death.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 AMP

There is a day coming that you may also need the promise of this verse. As the world becomes increasingly aggressive toward Christianity and the rise of a system that condones the killing of Christians and Jews, will you be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, “fear not, for I have overcome the world?” Take time now to learn the comfort of walking in His will and the peace of God that passes understanding will guard your heart…even unto death. Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken