I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on John 14-16

In my opinion, everything in today’s passage, and for that matter most of the Gospel of John, revolves around Jesus’ statement that He is the way, the truth, and the life, followed by Him saying that no one can come to the Father but through Him.  Every time I read this I think about those who argue that there are many ways to God.  They are correct, but all of those ways lead to Jesus.  Some argue that God will not deny those who have been so hurt by people claiming to speak on behalf of Jesus that they cannot approach Jesus.  There is some truth to that as well.  However, what that argument fails to recognize is that what God offers people is healing.  Part of that healing is to once more be able to approach Jesus.  God accepts and loves us as we are, but we must allow Him to transform us from what we were when we came to Him into what He intends for us to be.

Which brings me to Jesus’ promise that He will do anything we ask in His name.  This promise applies to those who believe in Him and have become His disciples.  This promise applies to us if we love Jesus.  Those who love Him will do as He says and will strive to avoid being the cause for others are unwilling to approach Jesus.  When we become one of those to whom Jesus’ promise applies, the world will hate us.   Those to whom this promise applies will wish to use it for those things which Jesus desires, not those things which the world desires.  Which brings us to Jesus’ description of Himself as a grape vine.  We are branches on that grape vine, if we do not bear fruit appropriate to the Vine we will be cut off.  Even if we bear fruit we can expect God to prune us so that we produce more, and better, fruit.  Jesus’ promise to do anything we ask in His name is conditioned on us being connected to Him.