You may ask me for anything
Jesus has authorized his disciples to ask Him for “anything.” This pleases God the Father, for to ask Jesus glorifies the Father. Jesus’ intent has always been to glorify the Father. And now, he authorizes his disciples to ask Him for “anything” for they too are glorifying the Father by living immersed in the name of Jesus.
10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:10-14 NIV
What is the boundary of “anything?” Is this a blank cheque for our own pleasure, for our selfish interests, for own kingdom-building enterprises?
We know the answer. “Anything” is bound by the work of Jesus, living in us, and doing His work. “Anything” is bound by the name of Jesus. “Anything” is bound by the character of Jesus.
The character and work of Jesus is large but it does have a character that is not like the world. I do not expect that we can exhaust the realm of “anything.” We are probably not yet asking for enough, because we are distracted from the work He would do in us and in the world around us. So I’m back to believing and with believing comes surrender. Do I believe Him? Have I surrendered all my life, my relationships, my ambitions, my dreams to Him. I must surrender my will and my doing — so Jesus can do it. Have I surrendered? Have I asked, so he can do more than I can ask or imagine?
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14