Ask Not, Have Not

Jesus made these remarkable statements just prior to our passages on Sunday.

Often these promises are read in isolation, and we think, “What about asking for a newer car?” or something similar. This is not sinful, but it's not what Jesus is talking about.

Jesus has told the disciples that He is going away. Here is the person they have left all to follow over the past three years. Now He is leaving them. Jesus, ever the Good Shepherd, realizes their trauma at this news and is teaching them that if He goes to the Father, the Father will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Helper will do a multitude of things for them, including the five we studied Sunday.

Connecting these, Jesus is telling them that the Helper will do these things; they just need to ask. He would teach and remind them of Jesus’ words. He would bring peace and security, showing them Jesus has overcome the evil one and loves the Father. And on and on these promises go through the Farewell Discourse.

Of the many great lessons here, not the least is the importance of asking. How easy it is to tackle things ourselves. We lay out plans and work the plans but never cease, just to humble ourselves before our Lord and ask for help!

Sometimes we have not because we ask not!

Let's do this today, and through every day: ask for help. Bring the everyday challenges to Him and ask for help. Bring complex issues to Him and ask for help. Bring things that bother you to Him and ask for help. And don’t forget to bring your to-do list to Him and ask for help and wisdom for each item.

This is a way that we can “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and get help from our Lord. Let’s begin today!