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Daily Devotions

John

John 
Day 
Day 198

Be careful of abusing the promises of Jesus

Text: John 14 : 12 - 31

BE CAREFUL OF ABUSING THE PROMISES OF JESUS

The Disciples were greatly privileged indeed! They lived in close proximity to Jesus for three glorious years! They knew Jesus as few would ever know Him. How did they understand the promise of Jesus when He said,

“And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do…”
John 14:13a

Could the Disciples ask that Jesus would not suffer and die on the Cross? The answer is obvious! They could not! That request would not be answered, because it would be outside the revealed will of God!

The term “whatever” obviously has to be understood and interpreted carefully. To an unlearned and unschooled believer, this promise of Jesus could be greatly abused. However, Jesus knew His Disciples well, and He knew that they would not abuse this promise given to them! Promises were never to be abused! To abuse a precious promise is to dishonour the Person who gave the promise!

UNDERSTANDING THE PROMISES OF JESUS

How did the Disciples apply this promise of Jesus? What did they ask from Jesus? The Book of Acts gives us a good glimpse of the way the Disciples of Jesus lived out their faith in their Saviour. Though they were given many precious promises from Jesus, not once did they abuse their rights and privileges! They laid no claim on the Name of Jesus to fulfill foolish personal requests! They did not ask for wealth and power or any other vainglorious requests!

Their focus was on doing the works of Jesus. They sought to extend the Kingdom of God as Jesus did. They preached and taught as they had witnessed Jesus doing time and again. Their efforts were not in vain. They established many churches. Thousands came to faith in Jesus. They did “greater works”. Many more countries were reached for the Lord. Their prayers were heard and answered! They had understood what Jesus had promised them. Promises were never to be abused at any time!

THE GLORIFYING OF THE FATHER IN THE SON

What was in the back of the mind of Jesus even as He gave His Disciples this promise that He would back up their prayer-requests made in His Name? The answer may be found in this text.

“…that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:13b

How should prayers be offered to God? Sadly, many seize on the promises of Jesus to request for personal wealth or health. What was in Jesus’ mind as He gave this promise was quite different. He desired only the glory of His Father! However, He also knew that His Father had already decreed that all should honour the Son as well! Thus Jesus could link the glory of the Father to His own Name!

What should be in our mind as we offer our prayers to God? Let us bear in mind what Jesus said in this text! The glory of both the Father and the Son should be borne in mind and NOT our personal and often selfish requests!

THE INVOLVEMENT OF JESUS IN OUR PRAYER EFFORTS

The Disciples never took for granted that praying was easy! Those who were schooled in deep prayer would testify that prayer was anything but easy! So many things could hinder prayers from being answered. We list a few of these things:-

1. Sin hinders prayer (Isaiah 59:1-2)

2. Satan hinders prayer (Daniel 10)

3. Self-interest hinders prayer (James 4:3)

4. A lack of faith hinders prayer (Luke 9:40-41)

5. Human weaknesses hinder prayer (Romans 8:26)

The above is not an exhaustive list at all! Many more items could be added to this list! How wonderful it is to know that Jesus would assist us in our prayer-efforts! Let us not foolishly and arrogantly think that we are such great prayer warriors! Let us instead humbly and gratefully appreciate this promise of Jesus to assist us when we call on Him to aid us in our prayer-efforts.

A NEW THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Jesus added a truly profound perspective to prayer that was not found in the Old Testament. To pray to God using the Name of Jesus was not something taught in the Hebrew Scriptures. This was something wonderfully new! It must have brought untold joy to the hearts of the Disciples.

Yes, they would be sad because Jesus would not be with them much longer. However, they may take heart in this great truth. They could still call upon Him. They could cry out to the Father and they could mention the Name of their Saviour! The Name of Jesus breathed in humble prayer would make a difference!

The significance of this new theological perspective is well captured in this text found in the Book of Hebrews.

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.”
Hebrews 4:14

Jesus was returning to Heaven to play an important role! He would be their great High Priest to all who sincerely seek God in humble prayer! “But we see Jesus…”