Knowing The Word in Luke 11:9-13

Ask for the Holy Spirit

11:9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Comments

After telling the Parable of the Friend at Midnight, Jesus now draws out the conclusion to present his disciples with a basic prayer principle. All the verbs—ask, seek, and knock—are continuous action verbs. God is not unwilling but always ready to hear and to answer those who really want what they pray for in accordance with God’s perfect will. Prayer is answered in the way God sees as best. This point is further made by examples from human conduct. Parents do not give their children harmful things, and God will not either. Calling his followers “evil,” Jesus shows he is always the realist, even with the closest of his friends. Jesus concludes, confirming our understanding of the phrase: “And lead us not into temptation.” We need the Holy Spirit for everything and at all times to live as followers of Jesus because of our inclination to evil.

Application

Many a Christian is disturbed by other Christians who sin, especially Christian leaders whose sins gain wider public attention. Jesus’ teaching should help all Christians to remember we need God’s constant leadership through the Holy Spirit in our lives. No sin is so small it cannot bring a “great” person down, and no sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven. If we can remember this phrase, it will help us be more realistic in our life with God and in our lives with one another.

Prayer

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)