Title: Save Now / John 16:23-24
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(John 16:23-24)
Today's text is a part of Jesus' farewell sermon to his disciples on this earth. The farewell sermon, which begins in chapter 14, begins with the words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." When they heard that Jesus was going to die on the cross and that He would leave them and go to heaven, the disciples' hearts were really confused.
He was in a state of disappointment, thinking that all the hard work and suffering he had devoted to following Jesus for three years was in vain. So, he comforted the disciples through the farewell sermon so that their worries and worries would not continue to hurt.
That's why the phrase "Ask for anything" appears six times in the farewell sermon. Like a mother who comforts her child who has a broken heart by saying, "I'll buy you anything, please tell me", Jesus is urging his worried disciples.
The saying "I will give you anything" is a radical declaration that breaks the principle of prayer. This is quite risky because you can get anything you want.
Then why did Jesus say these words that could cause such misunderstanding? It is because of the meticulous consideration to open up possibilities and open hearts. If you say “no” when you are comforting a crying child, that is not comforting, it is making them cry more.
What would happen if we talked about the principles of prayer to a person who came out of a state of shaky faith with deep agony and pain in their hearts and demanded the procedure of prayer? There will be silence and silence, let alone prayer.
What Jesus wants is the truth. This is the meaning contained in the words to ask for anything that speaks only noble, beautiful, and holy things, and do not try to speak. He wants to hear what is in our hearts.
Now "Save!" Let's consider the word.
It is a word that means the act of swarming. You don't have to sit quietly and pray holy. I came to my father because it was hard and painful, but despite my shame, I had no choice but to cling to it. What kind of face would you like to see? Therefore, the word "whatsoever" speaks of freedom in the content of prayer, and the word "ask" speaks of freedom in the action of prayer.
Jesus does not want to impose any bondage or restriction on the person who is having a hard time. In difficult times, cling to the loving Lord. That is the freedom we enjoy. However, there is only one condition for this freedom of prayer today. Look at verse 23. There is a saying "in that day". When that day comes, we will be able to ask for and receive anything, and we will be filled with joy. In fact, the word that guides the entire farewell sermon is this “on that day.” When do you mean "that day"? It is the day we meet the resurrected Jesus.
The day we meet the risen Lord after overcoming betrayal, criticism, contempt, disrespect, and death, we will have the courage and freedom to ask for anything. It is because we have met the resurrected Lord that we have the strength to pray even with our broken hearts and aching hearts. The Lord is always with me and with us.
I pray that you will become saints who always enjoy prayer and freedom to the fullest because of this Jesus.