John 14:12-14 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

A lot of people get excited about this passage but this passage must be used in the context it was intended. A gentleman asked me one evening in a Bible study about this verse. The question was; “This passage says that He will give me anything if I ask in His name, but He has not given me what I have asked for, why not?”

I knew behind the scene what he was asking for so I tried to answer without revealing his hearts desire. I responded that this passage is telling the disciples that they will do the works that Jesus did and greater works than He did. Then Jesus tells the disciples just ask in my name and I will do it.

The context is doing the works of Jesus and greater works. So, the disciples asked and Jesus granted their request, they did the same works of Jesus and even some unbelievable miracles. So in the context of the passage, yes, ask anything of Jesus in fulfilling His work and will and He will grant it.

I know the gentleman had a very serious need, and God was working, just not the way he wanted. We can use scripture to fulfill God’s will in our life, but we can’t take scripture out of context.

Prayer:
Father, teach me to use Your word skilfully and purposefully to meet Your will in my life!