Lessons Learned through Asking

In Matthew 21, we encounter a striking moment that captures the disciples’ awe and Jesus’ profound teaching on faith and prayer. As Jesus and His followers passed by a fig tree, He cursed it for not bearing fruit, and it withered instantly. The disciples, marveling, asked, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” (Matthew 21:20, ESV). Jesus seized this opportunity to teach them a life-changing truth: “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:21-22, ESV).

This passage isn’t merely about miracles; it’s a call to a vibrant prayer life anchored in faith. In this post, we’ll explore Matthew 21:22 through careful exegesis, unpacking key Greek terms, and applying four practical lessons about asking in prayer: (1) Asking Doesn’t Have to Hurt, (2) Asking Opens Doors, (3) Asking Leads to Answers, and (4) Asking Glorifies God. Let’s dive in and discover how these truths can transform our walk with God.

Exegesis of Matthew 21:22

Matthew 21:22 states, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (ESV). To grasp its depth, let’s examine the original Greek terms:

“Ask” (αἰτέω, aiteō): This verb means to request or plead earnestly, implying humility and dependence on God.

“Prayer” (προσευχή, proseuchē): Refers to supplication or prayer directed to God, emphasizing intentional communion.

“Receive” (λαμβάνω, lambanō): Means to take or accept, indicating that God grants what is asked.

“Faith” (πίστις, pistis): Denotes trust or belief, here a confident reliance on God’s power and promises.

Jesus ties this promise to a condition: faith without doubt. This isn’t blind optimism but a deep trust in God’s character and will. The context, following the fig tree miracle, shows that this teaching is for disciples, those committed to following Him, not the crowds. As commentator F.B. Meyer notes, true faith aligns with God’s purposes, flowing from union with Him.

Lesson 1: Asking Doesn’t Have to Hurt

Asking can feel risky. What if someone says no? The fear of rejection often holds us back, but Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:22 invite us to a different mindset. When we ask God in prayer, we don’t need to fear. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV). This boldness stems from faith, trust that God hears us.

Yet, what if we ask amiss? James 4:3 clarifies, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (ESV). God’s “no” isn’t a rejection of us but a redirection to His will. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus assures that faith-filled requests, aligned with God’s heart, overcome our fears. Asking becomes a safe, freeing act when we trust His goodness.

Lesson 2: Asking Opens Doors

Jesus models asking in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (ESV). Likewise, He urges us to ask and knock: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, ESV). In Matthew 21:21, Jesus illustrates this with the extreme—moving mountains through faith-filled prayer.

Asking opens doors we can’t foresee. Whether it’s opportunities in life or spiritual breakthroughs, prayer rooted in pistis (faith) unleashes God’s power. Imagine a disciple, inspired by this teaching, praying for a need and watching God provide in ways that defy expectation. Asking isn’t passive; it’s a step of faith that invites divine action.

Lesson 3: Asking Leads to Answers

James 4:2 warns, “You do not have, because you do not ask” (ESV). How often do we miss God’s blessings simply because we don’t ask? Matthew 21:22 promises that when we ask with faith, we receive. This isn’t a blank check but a call to trust God’s leading. Proverbs 3:5 instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (ESV).

Sometimes, answers surprise us. A publicist might pitch an idea expecting rejection, only to see unexpected success. Similarly, God exceeds our imagination: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). Asking in faith opens us to God’s sovereign, often astonishing, responses.

Lesson 4: Asking Glorifies God

When prayers are answered, who gets the credit? John 14:13 reveals the purpose: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (ESV). In Matthew 21:22, the faith that receives answers points back to God’s power. A senior publicist relying on God for opportunities views success not as a personal achievement, but as God’s handiwork, bringing Him glory.

Our prayers, whether for provision, healing, or guidance, become a testimony. When God moves mountains or withers fig trees in response to our asking, others see His faithfulness. Asking in faith isn’t just about receiving; it’s about showcasing God’s greatness to the world.

Conclusion

Matthew 21:22 unveils a powerful truth: prayer with faith unlocks God’s promises. Through asking, we learn it doesn’t have to hurt, it opens doors, it leads to answers, and it glorifies God. These lessons call us to bold, trusting prayer. As disciples, let’s approach God confidently, aligning our requests with His will, and watch Him work mightily. May we echo Jesus’ invitation, asking in faith and giving Him all the glory.

The Boldness of a Child's Faith: A Reflection on Luke 11:9-13 and the Heart of Prayer

 

In the sacred texts of the Christian Bible, the teachings of Jesus Christ offer profound insights into the nature of faith, prayer, and the relationship between humanity and the Divine. One of the most compelling exhortations from Jesus regarding prayer is found in Luke 11:9-13, where He encourages His followers to persistently ask, seek, and knock. This teaching, intertwined with the metaphor of a child's relationship with their father, reveals the essence of a faith that is both bold and humble. This blog post aims to explore the depth of Luke 11:9-13 in the context of Christian theology, drawing parallels with related scriptural teachings, particularly the commendation of child-like faith in Matthew 18:3 and the assurance of Divine responsiveness in Hebrews 4:16.

The Scripture: Luke 11:9-13

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent, or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:9-13, ESV)

The Essence of Child-Like Faith

Jesus Christ's teaching in Luke 11:9-13 is a profound reflection on the nature of prayer and faith. He employs the metaphor of a child asking a father for basic needs—bread, fish, or an egg—to illustrate the simplicity and trust inherent in a child's approach to their parent. This metaphor echoes Jesus' earlier teaching in Matthew 18:3, where He said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3, ESV). The child-like faith that Jesus commends is characterized by a shameless willingness to express needs and desires without guilt or embarrassment. It is a faith that does not overcomplicate its approach to God but comes with straightforward sincerity and trust.

Persistent Prayer and the Assurance of an Answer

The admonition to ask, seek, and knock continuously in Luke 11:9-10 reveals an essential aspect of prayer: persistence. This persistence is not a mere mechanical repetition but an expression of deep trust and unwavering faith in God's goodness and responsiveness. Jesus emphasizes that the act of continuous asking, seeking, and knocking is not in vain. He reassures His listeners that "everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:10, ESV). This assurance is further amplified in the Gospel of Luke 18:1, where Jesus tells a parable to the effect that they "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1, ESV).

The Contrast Between Earthly and Heavenly Fatherhood

In His teaching, Jesus contrasts the response of earthly fathers to their children's requests with the response of the Heavenly Father to His children's prayers. He acknowledges the imperfection of human fathers yet points out that even they know how to give good gifts to their children. This comparison serves to highlight the surpassing goodness and perfection of the Heavenly Father. If human parents, despite their flaws, can respond to their children's needs with kindness, how much more will God, who is perfect, respond to His children's prayers? This theme is further reinforced in the Gospel of Matthew 7:9-11, where Jesus uses similar metaphors to illustrate God's willingness to provide for His children's needs.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

An often-overlooked aspect of Luke 11:13 is the mention of the Holy Spirit. Jesus concludes His teaching by stating, "how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13, ESV). This statement reveals that the greatest gift the Father can give is not merely material or temporal blessings but the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is the ultimate expression of God's goodness and the fulfillment of their deepest needs.

The Call to Boldness: Hebrews 4:16

The exhortation to come boldly to the throne of grace in Hebrews 4:16 parallels the teaching of Jesus in Luke 11:9-13. This verse calls believers to approach God with confidence, assuring them that they will "obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, ESV). This boldness is not a form of arrogance but stems from an understanding of God's nature as loving, merciful, and responsive to His children's cries. It is an invitation to enter into a relationship with God that is marked by openness, trust, and the assurance of His benevolent response.

Conclusion

The teachings of Jesus in Luke 11:9-13, complemented by other scriptural passages, present a compelling vision of prayer rooted in child-like faith, persistence, and trust in God's goodness. This approach to prayer is not characterized by a sense of entitlement but by a humble recognition of our dependence on God and His willingness to respond to our needs. As believers, we are called to embrace this child-like boldness, continuously knocking on heaven's door, confident in the assurance that our Heavenly Father hears and responds to our prayers. In doing so, we not only receive the material and spiritual blessings we seek but also deepen our relationship with God, experiencing His grace and mercy in our lives.