Scripture:
Luke 11
Vs.1 … his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.
Vs. 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say …”
Vs. 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”
Vs. 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Vs. 29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”
Vs. 37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools!
Observation:
Jesus has many interactions in this chapter.
The disciples, a woman, the crowd, and a Pharisee … and He is blunt with each.
A woman compliments His mother and Jesus corrects her perception of “blessing”.
The crowd asks Him to prove His supernatural power, and Jesus calls them “evil”.
The Pharisee invites Jesus to his home for dinner … and Jesus promptly calls him a “fool”.
Only The disciples ask something of Jesus humbly: “Teach us to pray.”
And Jesus promptly does it.
Application:
I love Jesus’ response to the disciple’s question.
It’s a question Jesus could have easily brushed aside.
“Teach you to pray?! … Ha! … You just talk to God!”
But no, Jesus takes their question seriously and gives them a sincere response we’re repeating to this day.
I love that Jesus answers honest questions gently and with loving instruction.
The crowd asks for a “sign” and they are called “an evil generation”!
So … when I ask Jesus questions, am I asking like the disciples, to gain a deeper communion with God?
Are my questions of God like the crowd, a test of who He is?
Are my questions of God like the Pharisee, wanting God to conform to my expectations of what He should do?
I need to remain humble and honoring and grateful for the grace of God that the Holy Spirit helps me discern God’s answers and even prays for me.
Now, if I want to be blessed, I need to “hear the word of God and keep it!”
Prayer:
Thank you again God for your word.
Help me hear it and keep it.
But also help me know when and what questions to ask.
Keep me humble, in Jesus name.
Amen