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Author: Stephen Weller
691 words, 4 minutes read time

Whatever You Ask

Scripture: John 16:23-24

In the previous lesson we looked at the meaning of “a little while” and noticed that there were two of them. The first would be a time of sorrow while Jesus was in the grave and the second would be a time of joy after his resurrection. In this lesson we have two verses left to cover which when taken out of context can cause some problems, especially the phrase “whatever you ask.”

Jn 16:23 “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

“In that day” would refer to the time after the resurrection when the disciples again see Jesus. At that time, they will not have to ask him questions about the meaning of “a little while” because now they will understand that the first “little while” referred to his death and the second “little while” referred to this time when they will see him again. In order for them to understand, the event of his death and resurrection had to occur. When Jesus leaves them the second time and ascends into heaven, they will soon understand because the Holy Spirit will come at Pentecost and will provide them with an understanding.

Jesus now makes a promise to the disciples that after he leaves them they are to pray to the Father and whatever they ask in his name the Father will provide. It doesn’t take much reasoning to realize that the “whatever” does not include everything. Both you and I can easily think of things we could ask for that God would not provide. The “whatever” has boundaries related to the context of the passage.

When Jesus ascends into heaven and the day of Pentecost arrives, the disciples will begin their adventure through what we know as the book of Acts. (God willing it will be our next adventure.) They will need guidance and they will need to provide material for believers to grow from, so the disciples will have great needs in the early days of church growth and will need to ask the Father for guidance and help from the Holy Spirit. Anything these disciples ask, or that we ask, in connection with the work of ministry, the Father will provide.

I have been asked the question about why we are to pray in the name of Jesus. To pray in Jesus name is to pray in a way consistent with his character and his will. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, and so, we are in him as believers have authority in his name to ask the Father for what is needed for ministry. Ending our prayer by adding “in Jesus’ name” is not required or needed but is a reminder to us that our prayer must be consistent with his character and will and by his authority granted to us. We must ask for what Jesus would delight in.

In John 15:16 (ESV), Jesus said to his disciples: “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” It is clear that we would ask the Father for that which is needed to help us bear more fruit. In verses 23 and 24, we would ask for that which is needed to be more effective in ministry.

Conclusion

When you come to the Father with request are they for your personal desired or are they related to bearing much fruit in ministry. How much do you pray about learning from your Bible study and applying what you are learning to your life and your walk with the Lord. Is the focus of your prayers about you or about God?