GO DIRECTLY TO GOD
Quote for Today
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WORD FROM THE HOLY BIBLE FOR TODAY
John 16:26–27
“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; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”
REFLECTION
DON’T MAKE JESUS MORE OF A MEDIATOR THAN HE IS
“Don’t make God’s Son more of a Mediator than he is.
Jesus says, “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” In other words, I’m not going to insert myself between you and the Father, as though you can’t go to him directly. Why? “The Father himself loves you.”
This is astonishing. Jesus is warning us not to think of God Almighty as unwilling to receive us directly into his presence. By “directly” I mean what Jesus meant when he said, “I am not going to take your requests to God for you. You may take them directly. He loves you. He wants you to come. He is not angry at you.”
It is absolutely true that no sinful human being has any access to the Father except through Jesus’s blood (Hebrews 10:19–20). He intercedes for us now (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). He is our advocate with the Father now (1 John 2:1). He is our High Priest before the throne of God now (Hebrews 4:15–16). He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Yes. But Jesus is protecting us from taking his intercession too far. “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you.” Jesus is there. He is providing an ever-present, ever-living witness to the removal of the Father’s wrath from us.
But he is not there to talk for us, or to keep us at a distance from the Father, or to suggest that the Father’s heart is guarded toward us or disinclined to us — hence the words, “For the Father himself loves you.”
So, come. Come boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Come expectantly. Come expecting a smile. Come trembling with joy, not dread.
Jesus is saying, “I have made a way to God. Now I am not going to get in the way.” Come.”
- By John Piper. © Desiring God Foundation.
GO DIRECTLY TO GOD
DON’T MAKE JESUS MORE OF A MEDIATOR THAN HE IS
We should meditate on the deep love that the Father Himself has for us, realising that through Jesus, we have direct access to Him. This passage reminds us that our relationship with God is not distant or mediated by others, but personal and intimate. We should think on the power of believing in Jesus as the One sent by God, strengthening our faith and trust in Him. Lastly, we can reflect on the privilege of praying in Jesus’ name, knowing that we are heard and loved by the Father.
Neven MacEwan
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love, a love so deep that You welcome me into Your presence through Jesus. I am grateful that I do not need another mediator, for You Yourself hear me and cherish me as Your own. Strengthen my faith in Jesus, that I may trust fully in Him and walk confidently in Your love. Teach me to pray with boldness in His name, knowing that You delight in hearing and answering Your children. Amen.
Neven MacEwan
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