23 And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. [Exod. 3:14.]
24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
26 At that time you will ask (pray) in My Name; and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf [for it will be unnecessary].
27 For the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from the Father.
28 I came out from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
John 16:23-24, 26-28 AMP
Recently a song has been popping up in my playlist almost each time that I’m out running, and though the song was made when I was younger, its contents have a new meaning to me. The song is “Justified” by Smokie Norful, and it’s actually the intro that ministers to me where he is explaining the situation of Jesus conversing with the Pharisees about the actions of his disciples on the Sabbath. I won’t discuss that scene in this post (It will be chapter 1 in the series, but you can read it in Matthew 12) but I would like to give an introduction to a concept that many Christians, and unbelievers would do well to understand if they desire to live the life that God desires for his children.
Jesus led a ministry for 3 years according to scripture where he re-introduced God to his children. Now some of you may be asking, “when or how did Jesus re-introduce God to his children?”
13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin). [Hos. 6:6.]
matthew 9:13 ampc
In line with the topic, the verse above shows Jesus introducing a new concept to individuals who should have understood what he was doing. It’s important to understand the old covenant and its requirements to understand what Jesus was changing or re-introducing to the people. The Mosaic Law, or old covenant was heavily based upon the actions of the people and ensuring that they did everything right within their own power to be in right standing with God, and receive the benefits associated with the covenant. Because of this the people lived a life that was heavily sin-conscious, always aware of what they were doing, or possibly would do that would make them in-eligible to receive God’s blessings. For centuries or generations people lived under the burden of the law, ever trying, but never fully experiencing the full glory of God because they couldn’t do it by efforts alone. Fast forward to Matthew 9:13 where Jesus is saying I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (insert relevant surprised emoji). Why would Jesus be talking like this? Shouldn’t he prefer the righteous? Wasn’t the righteous worthy or deserving of Jesus’ mercy based on the life they had lived? What Jesus was establishing with this dialogue is that he was extending grace and mercy to those who needed it, not those who thought they were entitled to it, or felt that they deserved it. Jesus actively sought the sinners, he visited synagogues, mountainsides, lakes/seas, homes, and other congregating areas just to encounter those who needed forgiveness and salvation. Jesus in John 16 is establishing a new order and relationship between God and his children. He is saying that from now on you don’t have to be ashamed, or ineligible to receive blessings or directly ask God for what you need/desire because of your relationship with me, you now have justification and access to God through me. The plan is complete, the loop is closed, you’ve been justified, and therefore granted access to God and everything he promised from the beginning. Now since we have relationship with Jesus, we have permission to use his name and authority when talking to God. The veil has been removed, the great chasm has been closed, the barrier overcame, Jesus has connected you to the source of everything…..the Father! Jesus went looking for, AND found YOU, because you needed him, and most importantly because he loves you. Understand what he is saying in John 16, he is not asking God on your behalf, but you have the right to ask God yourself, because he sees and values your relationship with his son. Understand that you are justified as a result of your relationship with Jesus, and not of your own accord. I invite you to join me through this series to look at what relationship with Jesus looks like, entitles you to, and protects you from.
Reflection Time
Do you believe that you’ve been justified before God? What does it mean to you to be justified? What does it require of you? Can you lose justification? If you believed that God would answer your request, what would you ask for? What are you most grateful to Jesus for? Do you have an example or experience in life where you believe or know that Jesus interceded on your behalf? If so, then feel free to share it in the comments, or journal it for your own personal testimony and remembrance.
