12/05/2018
There are messengers who deliver the words of the king, and then there are Regents who act in the place or name of the king. When it comes to Jesus which are you? Which of these roles did Jesus intend for us to fill until His return, and why is it important for us to understand this?
“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. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:23-24 ESV
We read this scripture and recite it with great frequency, but do we ever really stop to consider the importance it carries beyond just the power to get what we want in prayer? By instructing His disciples to pray in His name Jesus is granting them the authority to act in His stead. He was preparing to depart, and He would be leaving them to run things while He was away. In His absence they were being told to act as if they were Him... they would carry the power of His name, and this meant that they must behave and carry themselves as He would. Is this how we pray in His name? Do we speak in His voice?
I was the eldest son of an Army officer, and quite often my father would leave the family to go on maneuvers, or to travel ahead when he was posted someplace new. When I had reached sufficient age to understand, he would put his arm around my shoulder and say “I am leaving you in charge, look after things while I am gone” or “look after your mother while I am away.” This was a powerful position in my eyes and although I was just a boy it made me realize that I had to grow up now... and must do so fast. I became more serious as a result of this because after all... I had to do those things that my father would have done had he been there. When Jesus left to go ahead of the disciples into heaven, He was essentially placing His arm around their shoulders and saying “act and pray in my name... as if you were me.” They were no longer simply messengers.
“Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that we have met:”
Numbers 20:14 ESV
Until this moment Jesus had sent them on little missions or trips and told them to do this, or tell someone that, but this instance, as recorded in scripture, was much different. Before they had simply been messengers, but now they were becoming Regents who would act for, and carry the full power of, the Lord’s name. We have all heard the expression “Don’t shoot the messenger”, and when a person says this they are basically saying... “I am just delivering the message that the king told me to... these are not my words... don’t hold me accountable.” This is the job of a messenger, and in history there have been times when messengers really were killed, but is that what Jesus was asking of His disciples in this verse? No! he was telling them to ask for things in prayer as if they were Him... so why is it then that we pray as if we were messengers instead of Regents?
“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 John 2:6 ESV
Do we pray as messengers because we feel unworthy? Are we praying this way because we feel ill-prepared spiritually to assume the duties of Jesus? Has Satan convinced us of any number of lies that rob us of Jesus’ promise? Is this why we say “please do this because Jesus asked me to say this.” Instead of praying as Regents by saying “Father it is me, your child, the Regent of Jesus Christ, and in accordance with your will, and for your glory, I need... ________”
There used to be a popular wrist band that carried the letters WWJD, and stood for “What would Jesus Do” so I ask you today to consider this question in two separate ways. The first is this... would Jesus want you to pray as His messenger, or His Regent, and the second question is this... when you pray, are you praying with an understanding of God’s will, and for His glory? Although any prayer is better than no prayer, as Christians It isn’t meant for us to just pray, we are told to pray with authority, in the name of Jesus, and we must pray in the will of God... just as Jesus did.
Consider today, right now, how you approach prayer. Is it time for a change?
Prayer:
If you are prepared to pray in the name of Jesus then pray with me now...
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus, and for my belief and faith in Him which gives me power in prayer as His Regent in the world. Help me to understand that when I ask you to reveal your will , and then pray those things in it, that you hear me Father and grant them, just as you heard Jesus and granted His requests. Let your Holy Spirit instruct me Lord, and give me the understanding I need to conform to your desire and character. Give me the courage to be a leader in faith and prayer, and Holy Father, although I am humble, do not let me be timid in my obedience. Jesus charged me to pray and act as He would, so give me the wisdom, and the intensity of faith that is required to do so. Great are you Gracious Father, and great is your Son Jesus Christ my Lord. Let every word of prayer, and action I take be to your glory, for Holy, Holy, Holy, are you, and at your feet I kneel, and in your Son’s name I serve you.
Rich Forbes