Ep 33- – John 15

In John 15, we have one of those very familiar verses that seem to promise us no-questions-asked access to God's divine storehouse of goods and services. Jesus says that we can ask whatever we wish and expect to get it. But is He talking about carte blanche access before God to get whatever it is we want from Him? Sadly, that is the way some people interpret this verse. But to get there, they have to take it out of its context. They choose to ignore the other verses surrounding it that provide a clearer understanding of what it is that Jesus is really saying. Let's face it, we all have a lot of wishes. There are so many things we think we need or deserve to have. But is Jesus telling us we can take our wish list of hopes, desires, lusts and longings before the throne of God and expect Him to deliver the goods? I don't think so. As we will see, there is more here than getting what we think we want. It is really about us getting what God wants and what He wants is the exact same thing we should desire or wish for. Jesus will talk a lot about abiding in this chapter, and part of abiding or remaining in Him will be that our lives produce what He desires. We become conduits of His grace and goodness. Our lives become dispensers of His love, grace, and mercy to others. It is not about getting, but giving.