In many of Jesus’ parables, he transitions from a lesser concept to a greater truth. He often compares humans, representing the lesser, to God, who is the greater.
In today’s parable and its explanation, Jesus follows this same approach.
People in Jesus’ time would have been familiar with the typical peasant’s home, which consisted of a single room. Everything—living, sleeping, and daily activities—took place in that one space.
With this context in mind, let’s consider what Jesus had to say.
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’
And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs” (Luke 11.5-8).
The human response to being inconvenienced by a friend is often irritation. However, this irritation was overcome by the friend’s persistence.
In contrast, God is far greater than any human response.
God is never annoyed when people come to Him, and we don’t need to persistently plead to get His attention. He is always ready to provide for our needs.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed out that followers of pagan religions often believed they could overwhelm their gods with an abundance of words. In contrast, Jesus taught that we don’t need to use many words because our Father already knows what we need.
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6.7-8).
Like any good father, God is ready to help when we ask for what we truly need. This idea is central to the parable in Luke and also to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.
The Explanation
I’m grateful for Jesus’ explanation following the parable, as it deepens our understanding of the progression from the lesser to the greater. Once again, we are reminded to compare the human response to God’s response.
“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion?
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!” (Luke 11.9-13).
No parent, even one who is merely decent, would ever give a snake to a child or a scorpion in place of an egg. As flawed individuals with sinful tendencies, we still understand how to give good gifts to our children.
In contrast, our Heavenly Father, the greater one in this story, will always provide for us.
That’s why we are encouraged to keep asking, keep searching, and keep knocking—because we can have full confidence that God will answer our prayers.
With this in mind, two points should be emphasized. Some people, when reading the passage I quoted from Matthew Chapter 6, mistakenly believe they don’t need to pray since God already knows what they need.
However, everything Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount and in Luke Chapter 11 encourages us to pray. We are urged to continually come to God and seek His help.
The second important point is that the good gift Jesus wants to give us is not a material possession or a lesser blessing, but the Holy Spirit. The greatest gift He offers is an interactive relationship with God, made possible through the Holy Spirit.
As we ask God for gifts, let’s specifically seek an awareness of the Spirit’s presence in our lives and the ability to follow His guidance.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this parable on YouTube today.
Real Voices 