The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2024
The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2024
The name of Jesus. We sing it… we praise it… and now Jesus tells us, “Ask!” Ask in the name of Jesus and the Father provides. The Father provides with a purpose and that purpose is for our joy to be full. What a blessing! The New Testament gives plentiful witness to the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus delivers blessing, healing, forgiveness, and salvation.
The Apostle Paul is not stingy when it comes to extolling the blessings delivered in the name of Jesus. The Father “has blessed us in Christ with every blessing in the heavenly places” (cf. Eph. 1:3-14). This blessing which the Father bestows upon us makes us (who are still sinners) holy and blameless in his sight.
The name of Jesus provides authority to speak healing to the sick and infirm. The Apostle Peter issues a command to a lame man expecting alms but who receives this word instead, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” This formerly lame man’s celebration gathered people in and gave Peter the opportunity to preach Jesus Christ whom sinners killed but God raised him from the dead (cf. Acts 3:1-16).
When the absolution is spoken to you, it is delivered in the name of Jesus Christ. Your sins are forgiven in his name, at his command, and by his authority (cf. Acts 2:38). Your absolver speaks as if she is Christ himself delivering forgiveness to you (cf. Lk. 10:16).
Ultimately, there “is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Cf. Acts. 4:12). We can confidently claim that salvation exists only in Jesus Christ and that outside of him salvation does not exist. Thus, the fullness of our joy comes only in Jesus Christ and his name. In Christ, we have blessing, healing, forgiveness, and salvation. With them, we are satisfied and content.
Table Talk: Discuss what things might be asked of the Father by those who are satisfied, content, and full of joy.
Pray: Heavenly Father, so fill my joy that I am satisfied, content, and need ask for nothing. Amen
John 16:23-30 (31-33)
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
29 His disciples said, Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God. (31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.)