I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” vss. 13-14
John 14:8-14
Citing this verse, followers of Jesus have regularly asked Jesus for any number of things. It seems we don’t have any trouble thinking of things that he could help with. Most of the time our requests will likely have to do with healing, either for ourselves or for our loved ones, but occasionally we ask for help in other areas too. Of course we’re not fools, we do know that there are limits, and it’s unlikely Jesus will help us with lottery tickets. But then again, sometimes we think, “What the heck, there’s no harm in asking,” and we go ahead with our requests. And all this is fine and dandy–until we start thinking we can compel Jesus to give us what we want. There’s no way that this is what he had in mind when he sought to assure his disciples of his continuing presence in their life. Jesus isn’t an ATM machine, ready to cater to our every whim. But he is in partnership with us, and as we engage in doing God’s work in the world, we can count on his strength and abiding presence. But he has no interest in helping us with our putting or investments! All those things are on us–and when the ball doesn’t go in the hole, we have no one to blame but ourselves!
Thought for the Day: In what circumstances does Jesus help us?
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