Today's Passage - John 16:23-24

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 16:23-24   "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."    The disciples have been following Jesus very closely. When they encounter difficulties, they would ask Jesus. When there is something they lacked, the Lord would provide for them. Jesus is their teacher and leader. Thus, when the Lord is about to depart from them, they feel panicked and lost. Even though the Lord tells them again and again that the Holy Spirit will descend, the Holy Spirit is their Comforter and will testify for the Lord, the Holy Spirit will cause them to remember all that the Lord told them, and the Holy Spirit will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. However, they haven't experienced this and find it hard to understand and their hearts have many doubts. Therefore, in vs. 23, the Lord says, "In that day you will no longer ask me anything." That day is referring to the time when Jesus will rise from the dead, when he will meet them again, and also the day when the Holy Spirit will descend on them. When the Holy Spirit comes into their hearts, he will lead them into all truths.     Brothers and sisters, you should not depend on human wisdom to understand this, otherwise you will be like the disciples, asking again and again but still don't understand. You need to welcome the work of the Holy Spirit, letting the Holy Spirit give you the spiritual wisdom so you can understand spiritual things. The Lord reminds the disciples even though he will depart from them, he will give them the more precious authority, the authority to pray in the Lord's name. Before Jesus rise from the dead, the prayers of the Israelites are limited, they have to ask God through the priest. But now the Lord tells them, "I have given you the authority to directly pray to God through my victorious name". Many Christians often missed the authority of "pray in Jesus' name" and thinks that "pray in Jesus' name" are only the words to end a prayer. I remember when my children were young, they love to hear the phrase "pray in Jesus" because they know when they finish saying "Amen" they can start eating. "Pray in Jesus' name" represents the authority we have to come before the Heavenly Father without fear and trembling. Think about this: if it were not for the salvation of the Lord Jesus through the cross, who can stand before a holy God?     In addition, the authority to "pray in Jesus' name" is also the authority to overcome the enemy, because on the cross Jesus had destroyed all the works of the enemy! Therefore, we can pray in the name of Jesus for the sick, for those who have not believed, and for those who have been wounded in their heart and spirit. For the Lord comes so that the prisoners receive freedom, the oppressed be set free, and the blind can see! Do you know you have this kind of authority? The Lord says, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." Hallelujah!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you, because you gave me authority so I can pray in your name and receive. I proclaim in your name: the oppressed be set free, the sick be healed, and the hearts in bondage receive freedom! I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!