Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter, Monday – 30^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 16,29-33

Boasting in Vain

Jesus’ question, “do you now believe?” (Jn 16,31) echoes his question to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11,26).  Both Martha and the disciples express a wonderful affirmation of faith in Jesus. Martha expressed, “Yes, You are the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one coming into the world“. The disciples affirmed, “Yes, we know that you know all things” and “we believe that you came from God” (Jn 16,30). Yet, in each case, there is much more to be received and understood. In the question of Jesus, he expresses both delight at their faith and a mild rebuke at their self-assurance. For immediately after the disciples’ positive confession of belief comes Jesus’ ominous prediction that the disciples will be scattered and desert him. This questioning, therefore, reprove the disciples for their security, vain confidence and boasting, as if their faith was so very strong that it would never be moved.

6^th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 28^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 16, 23-28

In Jesus’ Name

The prayer request is thought of as addressing the Father, but the answer here is thought of as coming from the Son, who is one with the Father. This is the new revelation in prayer made known to the apostles only. For until now petitionary prayer was from man to the Maker, but now there is a known mediator, who was one like us, who built the bridge between divine and human nature. The depth and limitation of His promise are both to be noted: ask anything, in Jesus’ name. This comprehensive promise is emphatically repeated in John 14,13-14; 15,16; 16,23-24. Asking of the Father shows a sense of spiritual wants, and a desire for spiritual blessings, with conviction that they are to be had from God only. Asking in Jesus’ name, is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favours from God, and shows full dependence upon Him as Lord of Righteousness. Hence prayer becomes a medium of communication for the disciples, and a source of spiritual power in their ministry.