The Keys and a blank check

Last night something powerful happened. More on that in a minute, but first let me lay some groundwork.

Jesus told his followers, "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it." When I was in Bible college I studied Greek. I am not a Greek scholar (as Dr. Bagwell would attest) but I learned how to use the reference materials and dig into the original language. For one of my assignments I chose this particular passage in John 14. I parsed the verbs, looked for nuances in word selection, reviewed the derivation of each word for further insight, considered the verse in the context of the overall passage, and whatever else budding Greek scholars are instructed to do.

After a couple of hours with all these books spread out around me, I came to the conclusion that what Jesus really said, what He truly meant, goes something more like this: " If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it." What was Jesus saying? It sounded like Greek to me. Then I realized, He was saying what He meant!

Suddenly this familiar verse took on a life of it's own. Could Jesus really have meant that? Imagine this- your boss calls you into his office. "You're doing a good job," she says. "You know me, and you know this company and where I want it to go. You start any project you want, and I'll back you up. Make any changes or improvements you think necessary. Enter into any contracts you want, hire new people, whatever you need to get the job done. You have worked for me for a while, and I know you well enough to expect you wouldn't do anything I would be uncomfortable with." Wow. The phone rings, "Mr. Henry. Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Her Royal Highness asked me to convey to you that she has seen that your way of life and the decisions you make are having a wonderful influence on the world around you. She would like to encourage you to carry on in greater fashion so she has created an account in your name at the Bank of England. You may withdraw funds as needed to carry on the work you are doing. My office will monitor the account and deposit additional funds as needed. The Queen simply requests that you continue in the same vein that you are presently on, albeit more forcefully and on larger scale. Have a nice day."

There in my dorm room, it seemed like Jesus was saying to his followers, "Here is the checkbook of Heaven. I have updated the signatory card, and your name is on it. Don't worry about a check bouncing, I'll cover any check you write. Just make sure that you spend it on the same things I would." That idea seemed crazy, nobody gives a bunch of signed, blank checks out.

But then in John 16 Jesus tells them the same thing again! "My Father will give you whatever you ask for in my Name." At another time, Jesus told them the same thing from a different angle, "I am giving you the keys to the Kingdom."

Last night something powerful happened. God's people from The Branch gathered together for corporate prayer. Could it be true that prayer changes things? That it changes me? If it is true, then watch out because we asked for the very presence and power of God to invade our lives and the city of Charlotte! Change is on the way!