Parable of the Friend in Need

The Parable of the Friend in Need

Luke 11:5-13

          5 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him;  7 and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?  8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is a friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.  9"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  10 For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?  Or if he asked for fish, will he give a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, would he offer him a scorpion.  If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

EXPLANATION

          This parable shows God as our provider.  He is our Jehovah-Jireh our great provider. The persistence of the friend asking for the bread he required is an analogy of how we should pray boldly to God for our needs. And as our provider He will provide all that we need. Also the last verse indicates He has given the Holy Spirit to any believer who asks Him.

APPLICATION

          This is one of the most wonderful parables.  God is our provider.  When we have a need we should pray boldly to God to fill that need.  And He will every time.  Ask anything according to and within His will and He will provide.  And it just as important to pray for more of the Holy Spirit within you.