You have probably heard the proverbial statement, “God helps those who help themselves.” To be honest, I cringe when I hear people say this because I have a sneaky suspicion that they really mean that God doesn’t actually do anything. But it is true on some level. It is not true that God saves those who save themselves. That is an entirely different matter, and absolutely no one can save themselves. But let’s say there is this person who is out of work. They pray and pray to get a job. They like to eat and food cost money. But they don’t fill out applications; they don’t set up interviews; they don’t follow through when friends make suggestions. They just sit in their house. Does God swoop in and get them a job?
In Luke 11:9-13 Jesus continues his instruction concerning prayer. He begins with “and I say to you,” which links this section with the preceding section. You know, where Jesus said you can approach God like a trusted friend. Here he gives three commands each followed with a promise. Keep asking – it will be given; keep seeking – you will find it; keep knocking – it will be opened. Is this a promise that God will give you anything you ask for? Maybe it is my lack of faith, but that doesn’t ring true. Some have suggested that the language is very similar to wisdom literature, which would make, what appears to be promises, more proverbs. Proverbs are generally true statements and not promises. But what if he is focusing on our end of things? What if he is saying, if you don’t keep asking – when nothing seems to be happening; when life is a mess; when your situation is stagnant – don’t expect to receive. You have a part in this. Ask. And if you stop seeking – even when the answers dance like pixies just out of your reach – don’t expect to find. Doors will not magically be opened for you if you don’t knock. There is more here, but I think this is part of the message. You have something to do: ask, seek, and knock. This is more than sitting in your house meditating. This is an active asking; seeking; knocking.
Then Jesus gives us a parable to help us understand what he is talking about. Which one of you fathers . . . Again, this way of beginning a parable puts the listener into the scenario. Every father has experienced a child asking for food. If a child asks for a fish, you are not going to give him a snake are you? At this point many have mentioned that snakes and fish can resemble each other and that in the Sea of Galilee it is possible to snag a sea snake rather than a fish. I think that misses the point. This is not about a mistake. This is about giving your child something good as apposed to something bad. Serpents were considered dangerous and evil. When we call somebody a snake, it is not intended to be a compliment. So, your child asked for something good and just for kicks you give him something dangerous and evil. People have done the same thing with an egg and a scorpion. Yes, scorpions sometimes curl up into a ball and may look vaguely, if you squint your eyes, like an egg. But again, the point is the request and the gift. Something that is good to eat and another thing that is dangerous. Scorpions were well-known for their painful sting. Rehoboam unwisely threatens to discipline the people, not with whips, but with scorpions. Food or stinging torture. Every good father knows what to give.
So, if humans, who are evil, and this may be an in comparison to God evil, know how to give food rather than poisonous danger, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask? We may ask for things that are not good. God knows better than we do, how to give what is good. We will not receive everything we ask for because we don’t know a snake from a fish sometimes. And mostly, this is about giving the ultimate good – the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God fell on those who were prophets or prophetesses. Most people did not receive the Spirit. But a time was coming when the Spirit would be poured out on all people. (cf. Joel 2:28-29).
I think there are two main themes here and they dance together. What God gives is good. As children we may not know how to ask appropriately. And what we need the most, the ultimate good, is the Holy Spirit. But don’t sit back thinking that God is going to slay you with the Spirit. Keep asking; keep seeking; keep knocking. You have a part in all of this. And there is a view of God that emerges from behind the scenes. God is anxious to give you good things. He is not a begrudging father, who gives his children good things because he would be viewed as evil if he didn’t. He is not the reluctant friend motivated by simple shame. He is the heavenly father who loves to give good things to his children. Ask, seek, knock.