Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 11: 1-13 "THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD FATHER"
Day 142 – Luke 11
Text: Luke 11: 1-13
THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD FATHER
The Lord Jesus returned to the idea of God as Father in the second parable He gave to His Disciples to encourage them to pray. Praying becomes more attractive when we are able to conceive of God as both Father in Heaven and Friend. The heart is that much more naturally warmed towards God in prayer then!
The second parable is as striking as the first. It challenges the heart to believe that praying to God is not in vain. He does hear and answer prayer!
A PARABLE WITH A POWERFUL EMOTIONAL PULL
The parable of the Good Father would have a strong sense of appeal to many people. Those who were fathers would be able to appreciate the analogy between an earthly father and God as Father in Heaven. Those who were children (“sons”) would also be able to understand and appreciate how God can be like their good earthly fathers.
Even if there were earthly fathers who were not so good, people can reason that God being who He is transcends any bad experiences with earthly parents!
THE BOND BETWEEN A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN
A special bond exists between a father and his children. This bond is firstly instinctive and natural. It simply exists.
This bond can also be developed to a very high level. It would require some effort from both the parent and the child!
When a child approaches his father for things like “bread” or “fish”- he comes with full confidence that he would not be denied! No father would deny basic and valid requests for food! No father would mock his children, by offering a stone instead of bread, and a serpent instead of fish!
“IF YOU THEN BEING EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN…” Luke 11:13
What did Jesus mean when He used this word “evil” to describe the human father? These are some thoughts to ponder over:-
1. The word “evil” is used in a relative sense. When we compare “human goodness” to “God’s goodness” then our so-called goodness may well be described as “evil.”
2. Jesus knows the human heart only too well. The blight of sin is so severe that no human heart is pure and good. The best human heart has “evil” tainting it.
3. The human heart is oftentimes inconsistent. It is capable of “good” at times. It is also capable of evil at other times. Given all these factors, Jesus was not wrong to describe human beings, and in this context human fathers as “evil.” It is a humbling comment to read. However, in humility we recognize that we are indeed “evil.”
4. A fourth point must be added at this juncture. Jesus did not mean that the human heart is “pure evil.” Only the devil’s heart may be described as totally evil, without a tinge of goodness at all.
The point of the Lord Jesus must not be lost in this discussion. He is arguing an important point here! He acknowledged that human beings, who are tinged with evil, could still respond appropriately to the needs of their children!
“HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM…” Luke 11:13
Jesus wanted His Disciples to be correctly disposed in the offering of their prayers to God!
1. They must believe that God was indeed their Father
2. They had a special bond with their Father in Heaven
3. When they pray, they must do so with confidence that their prayers will not be mocked! God will hear and answer their prayers!
4. They can be very sure that God is far better than any earthly father. He is not tainted by evil in the least. He is COMPLETELY GOOD!
WHAT SHOULD WE ASK FOR WHEN GOD IS SO FAVOURABLY INCLINED TO HIS CHILDREN?
The focus of Jesus is most important to note:-
1. Why should we only ask for “bread” and “fish?”
2. Why should we ask only for earthly, temporal things?
3. Why should we not ask for that which is the most important of all?
4. The greatest gift that anyone could ask from God is to be given His Holy Spirit!
5. Jesus assured His Disciples that God would readily give His Spirit to all who ask of Him!
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ASKING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
What would you ask for if you could ask for anything in the world, and be sure that it would be given to you? Would you ask for health? Would you ask for wisdom? Would you ask for wealth?
In the mind of Jesus, the greatest gift that God could ever give to anyone is His Holy Spirit! He, who had donned flesh when He walked on earth, would know first hand the tremendous importance of having the Spirit of God in life!
1. With the Holy Spirit would come power.
2. With the Holy Spirit would come wisdom and discernment.
3. With the Holy Spirit would come strength.
4. With the Holy Spirit would come skill and ability for life and ministry.
ASK TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD
As we end our study on the subject of prayer, let us conclude on this note of challenge to our souls! Let us ask our Father in Heaven to give us His Holy Spirit. Let us believe that He desires to give us His Spirit indeed.
Webmaster’s Note :
If you are seeking a deeper level of understanding of prayer, please check out Pastor Charlie Tan’s excellent weekly articles on The Theology of Prayer , which includes a more indepth study of The Lord’s Prayer and how it applies to our prayer-life.