John 16:24

"Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24 RSV).

Question:

I should ask in God's name and I should receive. What does asking in God's name really mean?

Comment:

Jesus is speaking to his disciples shortly before the end of his ministry, trying to prepare them and comfort them for the trials to come. He is speaking fully as the Christ; as he explains in the next verse, he still speaks in symbols because they are not yet ready to hear the Truth "plainly."

Jesus has been teaching his followers about their own Christ natures—the spiritual Truth of which each of us is an individual expression. They have not yet engaged their spiritual powers; when they do recognize themselves as the Christ in expression, what they ask in that full faith they will receive. And the same is true, of course, for us. So asking in God's name means creating from a firm faith in your own divine energies.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed