If You Ask Anything In My Name, I Will Do It

# 599 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

In Matthews account of this incident it was Salome, the mother of James and John who made this request. Apparently it was something that the three had cooked up a while ago and Salome was waiting for an opportune time to make the request.

Mom was speaking for her boys and that's why the Holy Spirit speaking through Mark says the words came from James and John. Listen to the tone of their request: “We want You to do for us whatever we ask.” What cheek right? Wrong! They actually sort of get it!

An earthly king is able to grant any request and need not know what it is in advance. The case of Herod granting the wish of Herodius' daughter and delivering the Baptist's head on a platter is an example of such powers.

What they didn't understand yet was that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. It is far above and over this world. When the disciples rightly understood what the true realm of Jesus is and when we rightly understand it, the entire focus of our petitions broadens from mere earthly concerns to high heavenly concerns, and we pray with Salome, “Do for us whatever we ask,” because Jesus Himself has said, Jn 14:14, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it..”

Stop settling for just the things of your kingdom and start seeking the things of the Lord's kingdom. If you ask anything related to His will, He will grant it, and unlike Herod He will not look back with regrets over granting your request.

Father, give us kingdom vision and priorities that we will not ask amiss.