Luke 11:1-13 (3)

Jesus is still answering the disciples request, teach us to pray.

·        The parable of the fervent neighbor, 11:5-8.

First, let us remember how to interpret parables.  Parables have a point which is often given, as in this case.  We are not to press the details of the parable but to discover the point.  Thus Jesus is clearly not saying that God is like this grouchy neighbor.  Rather He is stressing how we are to come to God in prayer.

Then let us understand what Jesus says in v8 where He declares the point of the parable.  The word persistence (NKJV) might not express what Jesus is saying.  Both Strong and ATR give the meanings shamelessness, importunity.  The NASV has shamelessly in a footnote; the NIV translates it shameless audacity.  The point is that we are not just to ask repeatedly; remember Jesus taught against mindless repetition.  Rather the idea is that we come pleading, coming out of deep need.  As we have noted previously: prayer empties ourselves of worry and fear.  This may require repeated times in God’s presence or strong words, not because He is deaf but because of our continued anxiety.  Here are some examples of this type of praying:

o   Gen. 18:23-33: Abraham praying for Lot in Sodom.

o   Matt. 15:22-28: the Gentile woman praying for her daughter.

o   Col. 4:12: Epaphras laboring fervently for you in prayers (Greek agonizo, with agonizing struggle).

o   James 5:16: the effectual fervent prayer (Grk. energeo, with energy).

·        The command to be bold in prayer, 11:9-13.

The idea in this paragraph is a little different.  Note first that in v9 ask, seek and knock are all imperatives, commands.  Jesus commands us to do this.  Think about that.  Clearly it is no problem for us to bring our burdens to the Lord; He desires us to come, yes, commands us to come.  It honors Him when we do this.

In addition, in Greek the terms given, find and opened are in the “indicative”.  This is the Greek mood that simply says, this is the way it is, was or will be.  As Jesus points out for us in v10: those who obey and ask, seek and knock will find that they are given, will find, and will have the door opened for them.

On what basis can Jesus make this promise?  It is bound up in the One to whom we come.  Remember the beginning of the model prayer: Our Father in heaven.  We are not coming to a bank which may or may not honor our request for a loan, depending on how much collateral we have.  We are coming to our Father and our Father is even better than the best of earthly fathers.  

We use the word bold to describe this kind of praying, as in Heb. 4:16.  Since we have a great High Priest (Jesus) who has opened up the way for us to come to God, we are commanded to come boldly to the throne of grace and find mercy to help in time of need.  Let us honor God with shameless, bold prayers!