Luke 11:1-13 demonstrates the disciple’s desire to become more like the one they are following, Jesus, through their prayer life. They have the ability and insight to understand that prayer is the most crucial aspect of Jesus’ rule and reign here on earth, rather than his ability to perform miracles or speak eloquently. The disciples ask for guidance in what they deem the most important feature of Jesus’, and therefore, their, life. As Jesus provides them with the guidance they request, he gives them an outline to follow—he’s not saying that they must pray for the exact things that he does, but rather, that there is a proper way to address God and a way of humbly beseeching God for what they need while still glorifying Him in his goodness and …show more content…
This passage opens with the Lord’s prayer, of which there are two versions, Matthew’s and Luke’s. Matthew’s rendering of this prayer expands on the words and ideas that Luke obtains; however, it is thought that the Matthean wording is probably closer to the original, while the Lukan version probably demonstrates a condensed form of the prayer (Nolland 612-613). Regardless of which gospel preserves the original prayer, the archetypal Jewish prayer that is recorded in Luke indicates that when one is praying, their “concern should be with the present honoring of God’s name in the world and with the coming of his kingdom; they are to pray each day for the needs of the present day (the future they should leave to God) but also for God’s forgiveness of their failings...; in recognition of their own frailty they should pray to be spared from such trials as might crush them” (Nolland 612). In addition, with the way that Luke presents this prayer, the focus shifts from “the future to the present manifestation of the kingdom”, which is not displayed to the same degree in Matthew’s rendering of the prayer (Ellis …show more content…
A friend of this family approaches their door and shamelessly knocks and asks for three loaves of bread. Nolland asserts that, based on Eastern hospitality patterns, “we should think in terms of a very generous, even excessively generous provision for the guest’s needs” (624). Fitzmyer draws a differing conclusion, that the three loaves are “maybe something like three rolls…it is the equivalent of meal for one person” (911). However, regardless the exact amount asked for and given, it is important to note that the friend asks for a specific amount. He is aware of what he needs, and makes sure that he asks for no more and no less. By approaching his friend’s door with such a specific request and not growing tired in his beseeching, we are to draw the conclusion that we are also to approach God with specific requests, never lacking in ardor as we ask. This also demonstrates the type of asking that God is likely to answer: asking that is persistent, specific, and based on a friendship with the person one is asking for things from. The man inside first refuses his friends, and then as it is realized that the knocking man will not leave until his bread has been received, he rises and hands the bread to his friend. Ellis acknowledges that this “request is outrageous”, and yet it is given because “persistence is rewarded” (165). On the same note, Fitzmyer acknowledges that
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-3) Therefore, the disciples
...ater baptism), and we are filled with the Holy Spirit. John then begins to consider the implications of being a child of God. For one thing we now have the gift of eternal life. Another powerful weapon we now have is prayer – John reminds us that God listens to His children! We can be confident to ask and receive of Him knowing that, when our hearts are His, what we want is what He wants. We are also told to pray for those who sin, meaning to pray on behalf of them – that God would touch them with His life. John ends with a warning though, not to let our guard down. The world is under the control of the evil one and therefore there are things that can and will definitely attempt to corrupt our relationship with God. We should be wary of anything that seems to be distancing us from God, for that means we are setting up an idol in His place.
The three parables contained in chapter fifteen of the Gospel of Luke are a tightly woven trio anchored on either side by closely related teachings. The preceding chapter gives instruction on humility and hospitality, telling the reader to open the invitation to one’s meal table to all, including the poor, the sick, and the unclean. In the following chapter the reader finds instructions for how to use wealth to benefit those same people. In the middle of these we find chapter fifteen, containing the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal and his brother. As a part of the triplet, the parable of the lost sheep challenges the reader to not only invite the poor into one’s community, but to receive them as family with joy and celebration.
In the “Model Prayer”, Jesus taught that prayer is to be directed to the Father, showing His role in prayer: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9). Prayer, being directed to the Father, goes through Jesus (the Word), as He is the “one Mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). Finally, the Holy Spirit’s role in prayer (though less clear than that of the other two) is to help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). It is in this area, more than almost any other, that many attempt to change the assigned roles of each member of the Godhead. While the Father’s role in prayer is for it to be directed to Him, many attempt to direct prayer to the other two members of Deity. Because each member of the Godhead has such a clearly defined role in prayer as revealed in Scripture, to attempt to change of modify those roles seems to be quite presumptuous, unauthorized, and dangerous. Instead, let us hold fast to the Divine pattern for prayer as laid out in the
faith doesn't mean the Lord is go'n make lions lay down with lambs jest cause you ast him to, or make fire not burn." Grandpa Blakeslee in his rebuttal of Miss Love's claim that faith equates to an exploitable infinite genie that grants wishes upon command is rebuked by Grandpa Blakeslee's counter that this form of faith depicts a selfish form of misguided spiritual behavior. When someone prays to God for something incompatible with reality, or insoluble with the framework that which God has constructed, they are essentially asking for God to alter or change or suspend reality in their favor and in a fashion that they approve (which is asking for a miracle) - which is an inherently selfish idea. The idea of an altruistic personality is synonymous with a tenacious personality as they both contain anti-selfish
Christian prays for a many reasons and for different purposes one reason they pray is because they are doing a form of serving God and obeying Him. Another reason to w...
The second half of the Beatitudes focuses on our relationships with each other. The first three of these deal with how to live like Christ. Verses 10 through 12 show what results from that kind of living. The second half of the Beatitudes also reflects the spiritual growth that is produced by the first half. When we are poor in spirit and place our trust in God's mercy (verse 3), the next step is to give His mercy to others, and this results in the blessing of receiving even more of God's mercy (verse 7).
Although the Ancient Greeks and American’s today have different practices regarding hospitality, some of their traditions are similar. Many examples of Greek culture, including hospitality, has been displayed in Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey.” This essay will compare hospitality factors between the ancient Greek’s beliefs displayed in the Odyssey and modern day hospitality.
The book of Luke, found after the books Matthew and Mark, focuses on the ministry of Jesus Christ but it also gives us a look into His birth and growth in totality. In this chapter we see a historical account of some of the journeys that Christ experienced. It is important to keep in mind that the Bible and all of its books do serve as historical accounts but each book is unique in the fact that they incorporate a theological timeline. The Bible is, conceivably, the most important book that has ever been written. It gives the world eyewitness accounts to historical events that helped not only shaped a region of the world but the whole entire world. It is nearly impossible to go through some formal societal education and have never once read a part of the bible or have heard a story that adapts from the stories within the bible. The bible has helped formed institutions, associations and so much more. By reading the Gospel of Luke we are truly reading what is meant for us to read as Christians. The principal plot in the book of Luke is the life of Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, His ability to beat death and remain perfect as the son of GOD despite being human as well. Jesus is seen as the perfect savior for humans in the book of Luke. Luke not only gives multiple examples of the power of Jesus but also it gives us a look at The Lord’s triumph over temptation. Luke also depicts Jesus as a man/GOD who had a very deep concentration on people and relationships. The book of Luke gives Jesus a loving characteristic but doesn’t shy away from showing that at times Jesus got angry too. Jesus showed a great deal of compassion to the sick, those in pain, the poor, and unambiguously the sinful. Jesus had genuine love for everyone. Throughout this...
Matthew directed this passage toward the Matthean reader for it supplies instruction and a sense of warning to those who wish to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. “Matthew uses tension and surprise, in both form and content, to address this situation, while affirming that Jesus Christ, “God is with us,” is the defining figure around which the community’s self-understanding, imagination, and social relations are to be formed” (Saunders 871). By presenting the text in the form of a parable, the message of God’s will is omitted in a historical and cultural context that enables society to comprehend the meaning behind the words chosen by Matthew.
However, I feel that the Lord's prayer is essentially a Jewish prayer, exhibiting the form and function of contemporary Jewish prayers. As with many other studies of any writings in the Gospels, it is important to discuss how these traditions have been brought to us, and what, if any modifications were made to the original text. Therefore it would be prudent, for the purpose of this paper to first look at the literary elements of the Lord's Prayer. To illustrate why the Lord's Prayer is essentially a Jewish prayer, we must first define and explore what Jewish prayers were like during the time of Jesus.
Jesus reiterates the message of always following his ways and through that we can live a holy and fulfilling life within him. Moreover, through obeying God and finding each other through love and compassion, we can live a virtuous life. This passage elucidates the salient teaching of following God’s path and listening to him. Jesus wants us to be his followers in order to learn from him and continue a path to heaven.
“I have a ration of bread under the sack. Divide it among you three. I shall not be eating anymore”
Prayer is a very important action in all of us as Christians. We should know why we pray and why it is important. We should also know that prayer cant just come from our mouths but from our hearts as well. Our affections cling to self and to worldly objectives; our prayer cannot rise above their level no matter what words we use. In Luke 11:1 it says “ Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” we should be taught to pray either from the church or from the people around us. Taught in a sense of listening, not actually taking lessons on it. We need to pray because prayer is the most important part of the thank...