The promise…

Of the Spirit (part 17) 

Hours before he was taken away to be killed, Jesus said some startling things to his disciples, like (in my words): “You think I did amazing things, eh? Well, you guys are about to do even more amazing things” (John 14:12). 

Because Jesus knew what he’d be doing with his disciples after he died. He’d no longer be restricted to travelling as a human being in a small area of the world. He would now be back with his Father (verse 12), returning to his former glory (John 17:5), with the whole world opened up to him.   

So whatever power or help they needed to continue what he’d started with them, he was now perfectly positioned to lift their work together to a whole new level. He wasn’t leaving them, therefore, he was coming back to them, to begin a completely new chapter in God’s plan – and a new relationship with them too. He was shifting them from being his “children,” much loved but pretty helpless (John 13:33), to a position of real power so they could legitimately consult with him as family partners in the great worldwide project about to open up.

And Jesus meant “family partners” too, because he told his disciples they could ask for whatever they needed from him and he guaranteed an answer (John 14:13). Imagine being in a business like that, where anyone has an open door to the boss, and knows they will be heard. And not just heard, but given an answer too. 

So this was the kind of relationship Jesus would soon be opening up with his disciples. All they had to do, therefore – at any time, any place, any situation – was “ask in my name,” John 14:13, and they could imagine their request flying up by first class mail to their beloved Jesus. Which made sense of asking in his name too, because his name carried power. It was the name above all names, so it burst through every barrier. Nothing could withhold a request in Jesus’ name.  

And especially a request that honoured his name, by being totally in tune with his deepest wish – to “bring glory to the Father,” verse 13. It was a mighty wish Jesus had, and now he was involving his disciples in it too, so of course they’d need power and help – and of course, verse 14, he’d give it…(more on this tomorrow)