John 16:24

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

As Jesus spent his last hours with his disciples, he said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). Then he told them, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (16:24).

What an incredible statement. As this scene took place, Christ was warning his followers that he was going away, and he wouldn’t see them for a short time. Yet, in the very same breath, he assured them they had access to every blessing of heaven. All they had to do was ask in his name.

The clearest example is the unknown man who did mighty works in Jesus’ name. This man wasn’t in Jesus’ inner circle, yet he still was able to perform miracles in the Lord’s name. And as he did, he stated that all the power was in the name of Christ. What an amazing thing. This man didn’t enjoy personal intimacy with Jesus, as the twelve did. Nor did he have the great revelations the disciples had. He was probably just one of the multitudes that Jesus taught from the hillsides and shores.

But this man obviously was a lover of Jesus. Why? He laid hold of Christ’s promises, and he acted on them. And miracles happened. He also had to be a praying, fasting man. After all, Jesus pointed out that demons are cast out only by prayer and fasting.

In this respect, the unknown man stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ disciples. The twelve had been personally taught by Jesus to knock, seek, ask for the things of God. They were taught firsthand that all the blessings of the Father — all grace, power and strength — were found in Christ. And they’d heard Jesus declare to the multitudes: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14).

Here was at least one man who took Jesus at his Word. He had claimed Jesus’ promise, and his faith was honored by God. He expected the Lord to perform miracles through him, all in the name of Jesus Christ.