IMPORTUNITY


 

IMPORTUNITY. 

 

 

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Lk11:1-13) 

 

 

He gives them what we now call, “The Lord’s Prayer”

 

 

He follows that up immediately with a short parable about going to a friend’s house at midnight to get some bread for your unexpected guests. 

 

He makes it a point that he won’t get up because you are a friend…

But because of your importunity [properly – shameless persistence] he will give you all you want.  

 

 

BUT… Verses 9&10 (Mtt7:7-8,too) Jesus goes on to say,

 

 

·       ASK [aiteo – strictly a demand for something due]

… and it SHALL be given (TO YOU)

 

·       SEEK [zētéō – properly, to seek by inquiring; to investigate to reach a binding (terminal) resolution]

…and YOU SHALL find

 

 

·       KNOCK [Krouo - knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance]

…and it SHALL be opened TO YOU

 

 

Unfortunately, expanded versions extend the thought of “shameless persistence” into these verses to read:  

 

“…ask and keep on asking… seek and keep on seeking… knock and keep on knocking” 

 

and you’ll finally get it. 

 

 

We see Him as an aloof, reluctant Father carrying that paradigm interpreting the rest of scripture. 

 

 

The Luke 18 parable begins:  “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…”

 

And then describes a widow who wears out an UNJUST JUDGE until he caves to her desires… 

and we make HER the hero. 

 

 

BUT… 

 

“PRAY” is translated from:  proseuchomai (from prós, "towards, exchange" and euchomai, "to wish, pray") – properly, to exchange wishes/desires – 

literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes/desires for His. 

 

 

OUR FATHER IS THE HERO!

 

 

Jesus even explains that if an uncaring, unfit, ungodly judge finally answers with justice,  HOW MUCH MORE our loving and holy Father DESIRES to abundantly give to His children. 

 

 

…ending with, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Lk18:8)

 

 

Will we see it like HE DOES?

 

 

"The world is full of… …formulas, programs and advice, 

peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. 

Don't fall for that nonsense.

This is your Father you are dealing with, 

and he knows better than you 

what you need.” 

(Mtt6:7-13MSG)


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