Just Ask

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7

There is a story told in Luke 5 where Jesus heals a paralyzed man.  If you are familiar with it, you probably recall that a group of friends bring this man to Jesus in an unusual way.  Because they are unable to get past the crowd blocking the doorway of the house, they go onto the roof, remove the ceiling tiles, and lower the man down on his mat right in front of Jesus.

But the unusual part of the story doesn’t end there.  First of all, Jesus doesn't immediately heal the man.  Instead of focusing solely on the man's physical need for healing, He also considers the man's spiritual condition and begins there.  He tells the man his sins are forgiven.  We don't know if the man was looking to Jesus for that, but it seems logical that Jesus knew of his need for it.  Perhaps this man was a notorious sinner, or perhaps he was basically a good person but knew of unconfessed sin in his heart.  Either way, Jesus was willing and able to forgive him and wanted the man and everyone there to know that.

What happens next is interesting.  Jesus knows what the Pharisees and teachers of the law are thinking--'Who is this guy and why does he think he can forgive sins? Only God can do that!' (paraphrase mine)  Jesus calls them on it and replies to their secret thoughts:

“Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?”

That probably freaked them out even more, and He doesn't stop there.  He goes on to heal the man and send him on his way, thereby proving His authority to both heal and forgive sins, in other words, claiming to be God.

The part of this story I want to focus on, however, is Jesus' ability to read people's thoughts.  This is important to consider whenever Jesus is speaking to others, whether it be one person or a crowd.  People often asked Him questions, but Jesus often replied as if they were asking a different question--not the one they voice, but the one they are actually thinking, or according to their motive for asking.  He knows what they really need to hear and understand.

Sometimes this is obvious, but other times it's not.  We often read the words Jesus speaks without giving thought to why He is saying them.  I think we can reasonably assume He always says what we really need to hear, but it can be easy to misinterpret His words if we take them out of context, don't consider whom He is speaking to, or forget He has the ability to read people's thoughts and may be responding to their unspoken questions.

I believe there is an example of this in Matthew 7.  It's a part of what is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus is speaking to His disciples--a crowd of those who wanted to listen to His teachings and were amazed at what He had to say; and He had a lot to say!  You may be familiar with many of the words He speaks on this particular day:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world.”

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman (or man) lustfully has already committed adultery in his (or her) heart."

“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

 

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your will heart be also."

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

If you have lived for any length of time, you know these things are much easier said than done.  In fact, they are impossible commands to keep in our own strength.  After listening to Jesus say all of this, and then some, I can imagine thinking, 'I fall so short of how Jesus says to think and act.'

The people listening to Jesus that day were likely thinking the same thing, and Jesus knew that.  He knew their thoughts, and so He offers them these encouraging words:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How often have you asked for things with these words in mind?  Does God always give us what we ask for?  No, He doesn't.  He didn't speak these words as an invitation for us to ask for anything we want and expect to receive it.  But rather, He spoke these words on the heels of what He wants to give us: a loving heart; a forgiving heart; a trusting heart; a generous heart; an overcomer's heart.

Jesus not only tells us how we should live, He also empowers us to live that way.  If you want to have a more loving heart--ask for one.  If you want to have a more forgiving heart--ask for one.  If you want to trust God more and worry less--seek the One who can give you that kind of faith.  For when we knock, step into His presence, and ask for what He is ready to give us freely, He will give us what we need every time.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.