Daily Scripture Reading John 16:12-33
It is very common for Christians to end their prayers by saying, “in Jesus’ name, Amen”. There is a reasonable explanation why that is common. Jesus often spoke of praying in His name. In fact, in today’s passage from John 16 we will see three examples of Jesus talking about praying in His name.
Jesus also made some promises about what the disciples could expect if they prayed in His name. It is common for Christians today to assume they can claim those promises as well when they end their prayers with the phrase “in Jesus’ name, Amen”.
However, modern Christians use that phrase without really understanding what it means. Today we will discuss what a person is really claiming when they claim they are praying in Jesus’ name. Once we understand the true meaning of doing something in someone else’s name, then we should question whether we should claim to be praying in the name of Jesus.
Yesterday, we read from John 15 and 16 and saw some verses where Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated and persecuted on account of Jesus. Jesus also informed them He was going to go away, but that His absence would be better for them because it meant the Advocate could come in His place.
John 16:12 ¶ “I still have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
This verse means the Holy Spirit will take from the truth of Jesus and disclose the truth to the Apostles.
John 16:15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
John 16:16 ¶ “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”
When Jesus was crucified, the disciples did not see Jesus any longer. However, Jesus arose from the dead, then the disciples saw Him again.
John 16:17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”
John 16:18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”
Jesus often spoke cryptically. His parables were a cryptic way of communicating truth. Often times, as in this case, the disciples themselves did not grasp what Jesus was communicating.
John 16:19 Jesus knew that they were wishing to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?
John 16:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will cry and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
When Jesus was crucified, the disciples lamented, but the opponents of Jesus rejoiced. When Jesus rose from the dead, the sorrow of the disciples turned into joy.
John 16:21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.
John 16:22 Therefore you too have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
After Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples had an unshakeable conviction that Jesus is God. That gave them a deep joy that they never lost.
John 16:23 ¶ And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.
The phrase “on that day” refers to after the resurrection when the disciples had the joy mentioned in verse 22.
Note the phrase “in My name”. It is common for Christians to end their prayers by saying “in Jesus name, Amen”. They think that by doing that, they can claim the promise in verse 23 that Jesus will do whatever is asked for in His name.
However, asking for something in the name of Jesus means you are speaking on behalf of Jesus. In other words, praying in the name of Jesus really means you are asking for the same thing Jesus would ask for if Jesus was praying your prayer.
It is seldom, if ever, likely that a Christian in the 21st century is actually speaking on behalf of Jesus. If a Christian prays for something the Bible promises, then we can reasonably claim to be praying in the name of Jesus. Outside of that, we probably should not end our prayers by saying, “in Jesus name”.
John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made complete.
John 16:25 ¶ “These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you openly of the Father.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus used parables and figures of speech to communicate. His meaning was often not understood. Jesus promised that at some point in the future He would speak plainly instead of cryptically.
John 16:26 On that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf;
John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
John 16:29 ¶ His disciples said, “Behold, now You are speaking openly and are not using a figure of speech.
John 16:30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”
John 16:31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
John 16:32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
In this verse Jesus reinforced what He had mentioned earlier and what we read yesterday. Jesus warned His disciples they would have tribulation in the world.
Jesus promised He would do whatever the disciples asked for in His name. Many Christians today seize upon that promise and think they are guaranteed to have their prayers answered if they end their prayers with the phrase “in Jesus’s name, Amen”.
However, asking for something in the name of Jesus means you are speaking on behalf of Jesus. In other words, praying in the name of Jesus really means you are asking for the same thing Jesus would ask for if Jesus was praying your prayer.
It is seldom, if ever, likely that a Christian in the 21st century is actually speaking on behalf of Jesus. If a Christian prays for something the Bible promises, then we can reasonably claim to be praying in the name of Jesus. Outside of that, we probably should not end our prayers by saying, “in Jesus name”.
How do you end your prayers?
Have you ever thought about how you end your prayers and why you do it that way?
To what extent have you adopted the mindset that if you end your prayer with the phrase “in Jesus’ name”, then you are more likely to receive your request?
What are some things we see in the Bible where we can pray for something and truly claim to be praying in the name of Jesus?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”