To ask is only part of the command. Seeking and knocking are persistent actions that take time and effort to bring about a result.
Please share your thoughts, another application or questions in the comments at the end.
41, 42 and 43: “Ask …seek …knock …”
Mt 7:7; Also Lk 11:9 in a private context
RECIPIENT: To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain
Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…
CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount
Mt 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:
Mt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
RESULT:
Mt 7:8-11 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” 9Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
After Jesus concluded the sermon
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
COMMENT: My comments and notes
Notice that this command is active beyond just asking. Seeking and knocking are persistent actions that take time and effort to maintain until I get what I need through my own hard work and help from others when needed.
The command in Luke was spoken in a private setting to his disciples only
Lk 11:9 “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.”
An additional result is also found in Luke’s gospel:
Lk 11:13 “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?”
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity that is God and coequal with the Father and the Son. In Christian theology our One God exists as three distinct personages with each having a distinct function. God’s existence would not make sense without all three personages. By analogy, matter would not make sense without mass, space and time. Personally (remember that I am not a theologian), I think of heaven and the spiritual realm as real but existing mysteriously to us with additional dimensions beyond space and time. In that place, time is eternal and space and relationships are not the same as they are here.
A mostly secular interpretation from Matthew:
In Matthew’s record of the command the asking-receiving, seeking-finding and knocking-opening is in reference to the basic needs such as a child would ask a parent. Jesus used these basic needs as examples of things I should have confidence to ask of those who are in a position over me such as a parent (if I’m a minor), an employer (for needs on the job), the government (if I am a citizen) or any organization (if a member) and of course, God (if I believe in Him). The success of the whole in any of these examples depends on the success of the individuals. Therefore there is mutual interest to meet my personal needs.
Luke’s private record has added specific Christian meaning:
In Luke’s record of the command Jesus privately tells his immediate disciples about receiving the Holy Spirit. This is a defining Christian result and does not nullify any secular wisdom from Matthew’s record. The asking-receiving, seeking-finding and knocking-opening is also in reference to the basic needs such as a child would ask a parent. The Holy Spirit is a basic spiritual need a follower of Jesus Christ would ask of his Heavenly Father. Jesus used these basic needs as examples of things I can have complete confidence in God’s provision if I ask.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
If I lack what I truly need I will work to supply it. If I cannot supply what is lacking, like a child asking a parent I will confidently ask the appropriate leadership for help remembering that my success is of mutual interest to them.
As a Christian I also understand that ultimately, God is the source of every resource when it comes to the basic needs of physical and spiritual life and I will also confidently ask Him for these things.
Please share a comment, question or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus.
© 2018 Christopher Carlson
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB
Christopher, it’s a comfort to think that asking a superior to meet our needs is a mutually beneficial transaction because we’re interconnected and the success of the whole depends on the individual. Thank you for this observation!
Thanks Pearl for your comment. After realizing this myself, I’ve been more bold to ask for things at work such as software or other items that I have thought necessary. I think that hardest part is being certain what I actually need rather than what I simply desire. When it comes to spiritual things I have the same issue. I suppose everyone, including myself could ask for wisdom and be persistent searching for it!