John 16:25-28
for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. – John 16:27
Before the advent of smartphones, mobile phones were primarily tools for making calls and sending text messages to connect with people. Today, with a smartphone in hand, the world is at our fingertips. Having a smartphone seamlessly connects us with the world, allowing us to easily access information and learn about anything under the sun, at any time. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing various fields across the globe, and its arrival has a significant impact on everyone. Today, AI is reshaping all aspects of the world, and we have become inseparable from it in our daily lives.
But did you know that the death of Jesus Christ also ushered in a new era, a fresh start for each of us? “The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name…” (vv.25-26) Jesus, knowing that the time had come for Him to depart and return to the Father, taught His disciples about a new way of communication that would begin in this new era:
1. Jesus and the Disciples * Jesus no longer spoke to His disciples in parables or concealed truths. Instead, He plainly revealed the Father’s matters to them. Furthermore, Jesus promised that after His resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit would continue His work, guiding the disciples into all truth.
2. Humanity and God * Jesus emphasised that with the arrival of this new era, the way humans communicate with God would also change. No longer would priests or sacrifices be needed; one could directly approach God “in Jesus’ name.” Because Jesus Christ offered Himself for us, He is the mediator between us and God. To pray “in Jesus’ name” is to have the heart of Jesus, to focus on His matters, and to ask according to His will; the Father will then fulfil our requests because of Jesus’ name.
Hallelujah! The completion of Jesus’ redemptive work was the moment of victory. The relationship between God and humanity was restored, and the communication channel between them was re-established. This new moment came into the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As we live in this new era, we should frequently pray “in Jesus’ name,” bringing the big and small matters of our lives before God, asking Him to be the Lord of our lives, and guiding our paths and directions. May we become people pleasing to the Lord.
Reflection: Jesus has granted us the authority to pray—are we not using it, misusing it, or using it wisely?
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your name, so that we can come before the Father in prayer for all things. Though we still sometimes stumble and do not know how to use this way of communication wisely, You always intercede for us at the Father’s right hand and grant us more than we ask for or imagine. Please continue to help and guide us that we may enjoy intimate communication with You every day! In Your name we pray, Amen!
Before the advent of smartphones, mobile phones were primarily tools for making calls and sending text messages to connect with people. Today, with a smartphone in hand, the world is at our fingertips. Having a smartphone seamlessly connects us with the world, allowing us to easily access information and learn about anything under the sun, at any time. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing various fields across the globe, and its arrival has a significant impact on everyone. Today, AI is reshaping all aspects of the world, and we have become inseparable from it in our daily lives.
But did you know that the death of Jesus Christ also ushered in a new era, a fresh start for each of us? “The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name…” (vv.25-26) Jesus, knowing that the time had come for Him to depart and return to the Father, taught His disciples about a new way of communication that would begin in this new era:
1. Jesus and the Disciples * Jesus no longer spoke to His disciples in parables or concealed truths. Instead, He plainly revealed the Father’s matters to them. Furthermore, Jesus promised that after His resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit would continue His work, guiding the disciples into all truth.
2. Humanity and God * Jesus emphasised that with the arrival of this new era, the way humans communicate with God would also change. No longer would priests or sacrifices be needed; one could directly approach God “in Jesus’ name.” Because Jesus Christ offered Himself for us, He is the mediator between us and God. To pray “in Jesus’ name” is to have the heart of Jesus, to focus on His matters, and to ask according to His will; the Father will then fulfil our requests because of Jesus’ name.
Hallelujah! The completion of Jesus’ redemptive work was the moment of victory. The relationship between God and humanity was restored, and the communication channel between them was re-established. This new moment came into the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As we live in this new era, we should frequently pray “in Jesus’ name,” bringing the big and small matters of our lives before God, asking Him to be the Lord of our lives, and guiding our paths and directions. May we become people pleasing to the Lord.
Reflection: Jesus has granted us the authority to pray—are we not using it, misusing it, or using it wisely?
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your name, so that we can come before the Father in prayer for all things. Though we still sometimes stumble and do not know how to use this way of communication wisely, You always intercede for us at the Father’s right hand and grant us more than we ask for or imagine. Please continue to help and guide us that we may enjoy intimate communication with You every day! In Your name we pray, Amen!