“You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”
John 16:24 (NLT)
Jesus ties resurrection joy to something practical: access. Right after telling the disciples their grief would turn to joy, He explains what that joy unlocks. At that time—because of the resurrection—they would no longer need to ask Him the way they once did. They could now ask the Father directly. Resurrection didn’t just comfort them; it restored access.
And the key phrase is “using my name.” That isn’t a formula. It’s relationship. It’s abiding. It’s asking from union—through Jesus, with His heart and authority. That’s why this promise sounds like John 15:7 and John 15:16. This authority wasn’t given so we could center prayer on ourselves, but so love could move beyond us. Much of this asking is intercession—asking on behalf of others for needs we cannot meet on our own.
Here’s what struck me most: Jesus connects asking and receiving with abundant joy. The Passion Translation even says our joy will have no limits. But seasons of disappointment can quietly train us to stop asking. When prayers feel unanswered, we protect ourselves by praying smaller prayers—or none at all. Without realizing it, we cap our joy.
Jesus may ask us to slow our expectations for the arrival of miracles, but He never asks us to slow our asking. We receive when we pray, not when we see. Love keeps asking. Faith keeps interceding. And resurrection authority was given so that joy would have no limits. I know I’ve got some more asking to do—for others. What about you?