Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew
XXXII

Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8: When it is written, “Ask, and it will be given to you,” and “For everyone who asks receives,” and seeing that God’s Word is the utmost truth, and you have prayed for years without receiving, the explanation must be that what people usually call praying is not what Jesus calls praying. The same thing applies to seeking and to knocking.

Jesus also says that now on the kingdom of heaven is taken by force. Matt. 11:12. Through a parable, He taught His disciples how this is done. The widow was so insistent that the judge feared for his life. She was not very modest or careful; on the contrary, she was extremely aggressive. Those who cry out to God day and night will receive what is rightfully theirs!

There has to be need, hunger, thirst, sorrow, zeal, and deadly seriousness for it to be really called praying, seeking, and knocking; it has to be a matter of life and death in your heart. Everyone who prays, seeks, and knocks like this will always find, and the doors to an ever increasing glory will always be opened for such a soul.

Superficiality and habitual forms and customs among God’s people are extremely common. We are so used to it that most people are not even aware of it. Pride and the fear of man also hinder many people from praying in truth, from pressing into God’s kingdom. It somehow doesn’t look nice, it somehow isn’t refined, and it is also so inconvenient. Yet it is more inconvenient and less refined to remain standing outside.

Jesus uses some extremely striking illustrations in order to, if at all possible, get the disciples to understand how unthinkable, meaningless, and impossible it would be for God to refrain from giving His heavenly goods to the few people who really pray, seek, and knock.

Imagine, dear brother: it is utterly impossible for God to refrain from enriching you with His heavenly goods when you desire to lay hold of them with all your heart and at any cost!

The conclusion of Jesus’ words can be summarized as follows: “Just go ahead with all boldness, with all your strength! God is good! He has enough to give, and He loves to give! Just pray, and you will receive! Just seek, and you will find! Just knock without ceasing, and door after door will be opened to you immediately.”

These are truly bright prospects! Who makes use of these opportunities? Each one who believes.