Short Grief

Short Grief

John 16:21-28, NIV

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 25Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.

Setting the Scene

During this Last Supper, the disciples were trying to cope with Jesus’ loving actions and words at the same time they were trying to grasp his statements about his imminent departure. They weren’t sure if he was going or coming, or both. They wouldn’t understand most of what he said until they lived through it with him.

In John 16, Jesus held out the hope that the Resurrection would answer many of their questions. Jesus made the connection for the disciples between the reality of grief and the reality of prayer. He didn’t take himself out of the prayer process (see Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), but he emphasized that access to his Father would soon be direct. It was easy for the disciples (and we still make this error) to isolate Jesus as the intercessor to whom they directed their requests, grief, concerns, and needs. He then would take them before the Father. Is God the Father unaware or inattentive until Jesus approaches him? Of course not. What Jesus knows, the Father knows. Jesus was telling his disciples (and us) to continue addressing him in prayer and to use his name freely in expressing prayer, but to realize at all times that we are speaking to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have Jesus’ permission to place anything before God in prayer.

Getting Personal

When you use Jesus’ name in prayer, what is your intention? What are your reasons for using or not using Jesus’ name in prayer?

How would you distinguish between Jesus’ dual roles as intercessor and facilitator in prayer? How does each role encourage prayer?

The power of Jesus’ name is not the power of a secret code word or incantation; it is relational power. Jesus told his disciples that all who would believe in him could be assured that any approach to God in his name would be guaranteed a welcome.

Talking to God

Recognize the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as you pray today. Thank the Father for making a way of direct access to him and for lovingly welcoming your prayers. Thank Jesus for being the way that provided bold access and for interceding for you as you pray. Thank the Spirit for translating your prayers when you don’t know how to pray (Romans 8:26).