The hour is coming

The hour is coming

Scripture Lessons

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-9

James 1:22-27

John 16:23-33

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The first two verses of our lesson today may have sparked some questions in your mind. “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Does this mean that you can ask for a new car and God will give it to you? Is that what Jesus meant? I searched the writings of several of the Church fathers and nobody seems to have understood it that way. Some have interpreted this to refer specifically to the revelation of Christ. That is to say, if you ask the Father in the name of Christ, He will reveal to you the truth of Christ, that He is the divine Son of God. Others have understood this to refer to all necessities of this life…that if you ask God for those things that you need, He will provide them.

It is helpful with a text like this to look at the broader context and remember that Scripture interprets Scripture. In verse 22 Jesus said, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” He then went on, “In that day…” which refers to the day of His resurrection, they will see Him again and rejoice. The resurrection confirms the promises of God and justifies the teaching of Jesus. Jesus said, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Do you think that a fancy sports car will make your joy full? Do you think that you know exactly what will make your joy full? Anyone can turn to God the Father and ask, petition, beg for what they think they need. But the faithful ask with humility, acknowledging their shortcomings, and asking that God would do His will…because the faithful know that it is God’s will that is best. In a similar vain, Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7. This was referring to revelatory knowledge of Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. Indeed, the door through which we pass from sin and death to life everlasting. When you seek this assurance from God the Father, He will give it to you.

The sixteenth chapter of John shows us how Jesus prepared the disciples for His coming departure, His exodus. “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” They would be scattered as Zechariah prophesied (Zechariah 13:7), “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Jesus knew what was to come. The disciples would be scattered. Jesus would be left without them by his side but nevertheless would not be alone. The Father would be with Him. This is great encouragement to the disciples because they also would suffer persecution and even death just as Jesus did. But amid that suffering, Jesus wanted the disciples to know that though the world would bring them tribulation, He has overcome the world. By His word, they will have peace. That is, by the word of consolation, the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins and life-everlasting, they would receive a peace that surpasses human understanding.

That promise was given to the disciples and was also given to you! In the world you will have trouble. But in Christ you have peace. Jesus invites, and indeed calls you, to live with a peace that comes through Him. He said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” Yes, you will experience heartbreak, disappointment, anxiety, sickness, weakness, poverty, persecution, even death. These are all effects of sin, and we live in a sinful world. So, you are assured of suffering. Jesus says, “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The promise of God hearing your prayer and answering it is certainly more exciting than a fancy sports car. The promise is even more significant than the prayer for a dear loved one, struggling with a fatal disease… “Lord grant them healing.” Certainly, we pray earnestly. And yet, we know that the believer will suffer physical death once and then comes eternal life. The answer to our prayer is the eternal life this is promised on account of Christ and His shed blood! That promise will not be taken from you. Receive it with joy and let this reality give you peace in this life and the one to come.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.