A. INTRODUCTION (Luke 11:1, 5-13)
After seeing Jesus in prayer, a disciple asked, “teach us to pray.” Jesus taught them what to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) then how to pray (the importunate/persist friend). Because a friend arrived late, a second friend tried to borrow bread from a third friend, yet was refused. But the borrower got his request because of his persistence.
B. WHAT IS A PARABLE?
1. A story: the first friend unexpectedly visits the second friend who pleads for food from the third friend.
2. That is true to life. Most in the audience had experienced this event and understood the obligation that friends put on each other.
3. But not a historical event. The parable did not actually happen.
4. Given to teach a spiritual truth, i.e. persistence and urgency in prayer.
5. Based on a common every day problem, an urgent need forces us to importunate prayer.
C. HOW TO INTERPRET PARABLES
1. The content points to the interpretation. The parable grew out of Jesus’ practice. “Jesus was praying” (Luke 11:1). The disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (v. 1), not what, how, when, or where. Since prayer is based on relationship, this parable is about our relationship to the Father when praying.
2. The introduction and conclusion by Jesus points to the interpretation. “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight” (v. 5). God can be approached as a friend. Conclusion, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (v. 10).
3. Look for the main focus of the parable. It is about asking and receiving. “… how much more will your heavenly Father give” (v. 13).
4. Do not force an interpretation of the parable on every point. Do not make it walk on all fours. Do not read into the parable more than Jesus intended. We miss the parable when we focus on the asker, not God, the giver.
a. God has to be persuaded to be merciful.
b. God is not interested in our needs, embarrassment, or requests.
c. God only gives reluctantly.
d. God gives more as we pray longer or louder.
e. We can irritate God to get what we want.
5. Do not minimize the details that support the main interpretation; the relationship between the first two friends, and the family of the third friend. The human response to unplanned interruptions and persistent interruptions.
6. Each parable has its own lesson which is based on the original intent of the Lord. The main similarity is receiving because you continually ask based on a relationship, not badgering someone to give you something.
7. A parable has one interpretation but many applications.
D. INTERPRETING THE PARABLE
1. Three friends:
a. The visiting friend probably traveled during the evenings to escape heat and arrived late.
b. The importunate friend. The true oriental considered the law of hospitality sacred, and would go to all lengths to serve a visitor. Probably baked only enough bread for his family’s needs for one day.
c. The unwilling friend. Not happy to be disturbed. Seeks to shield his family.
2. The imperative:
a. The visiting friend arrived and must be entertained.
b. The importunate friend faced with five problems:
(1) Loss of face reproach, is God concerned without reputation?
(2) No food (could have fasted), is God concerned with our physical appetite?
(3) Late, is God concerned with our schedule?
(4) Neighbor asleep, is God concerned with our relationship with others?
(5) Rebuffed, has God Presbyterian-planned every small detail in our life, or does He want us to overcome barriers?
c. The unwilling friend:
(1) Did not want to interrupt family.
(2) A polite but per-emptory refusal.
3. Questions:
a. The visiting friend. Why not informed the host of his late arrival time? Why inconvenient your friend?
b. The importunate friend. Why not have a food reserve for emergencies? Shouldn’t we plan for the unexpected?
c. The unwilling friend. Why would he not respond to relationships, but to personal interruptions and embarrassments? How far can friendship be pushed? Who was more important to whom? Each to one another.
4. The request:
a. Basis is friendship. “My friend is your friend.” Refused.
b. Basis is urgent/hungry. “I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him because of their relationship, yet because of his shameless and continual asking, he will arise and give him anything he ask” (Luke 11:13, ELT).
c. Basis is consequences. The persistent shouting will ultimately awake family (what he doesn’t want), the neighbors, and he cannot sleep. He gave in to get rid of the pest.
5. How much more. If the urgent contention from a selfish, indolent, churlish neighbor got results, then we should ask, “how much more” (v. 13) will our prayer prevail with God?
a. The giving God. “If any of you lack … let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach” (James 1:5).
b. The never sleeping God. “He who keeps you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3).
c. The able God. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
d. The loving God. “For God so loved the world that He gave” (John 3:16).
6. Application:
a. Have mighty expectation in prayer. “I (Jacob) will not let You (Christ) go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26).
b. Let your faith make you persistent. “Keep on asking … keep on seeking … keep on knocking and you will have your prayers answers” (Luke 11:9, Matthew 7:7, ELT). This is a gradual ascent or an increase of emphasis in successive steps of prayer.
c. Be focused on God that nothing else matters.
d. Relationship is the basis of all effective prayer.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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