I’m so excited that you have joined me for today’s live to love scripture encouragement from John 14:13-14.
Yesterday we were encouraged by Jesus’ call to a radical, this-changes-everything new purpose: to live to love with and in Jesus as He lives in them. A call to do the works of Christ for the glory of God. This verse confirms everything that Jesus has said from John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another even as I have loved you” to this verse. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” Let’s work backwards in this verse. First, all of what Jesus has said is about the glory of God, the Father revealed in the Son. All of the works of the Father, the Son, and believers of which Jesus has spoken is on that wonderful trajectory. Second, Jesus is the one doing the living, the work, in this world through those who believe in Him and are united with Him. Third, prayer—namely, asking in Jesus’ name—unleashes Jesus to work for the glory of the Father. This is a reminder to us that God didn’t call us to live for Jesus. We need Him to live for us. The Father can only be glorified in the Son if the Son does the work. Is asking in Jesus’ name the same as ending our prayers with, “in Jesus’ name I pray” or “I ask this is Jesus’ name”? I emphatically say, “No, it is not.” Ending our prayers with “Jesus’ name” is not what compels or moves God or Jesus to work. To ask in His name is to ask according to what Jesus has commanded, namely, to believe in Him and to love as He has loved us so that God may be glorified in His Son. In other words, we ask for the life and love of Jesus to be manifested in our lives. That’s our new purpose for living. That’s why He saved us! Today, Father, I ask that You glorify Your Son as I abide in Him and He lives to love through me. Do it also in all who pray this prayer with me today. Amen.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
