Lesson 20 – Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Ask, Seek, Knock - Matthew 7:9-12

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

These passages convey important teachings from Jesus regarding prayer, seeking, and treating others with kindness and fairness.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus encourages his followers to ask, seek, and knock in their prayers. He assures them that if they ask, they will receive; if they seek, they will find; and if they knock, the door will be opened to them. This verse highlights the faith and persistence required in approaching God through prayer. It emphasizes the assurance that God is attentive and responsive to the needs of those who seek Him.

Matthew 7:9-12 builds upon the theme of asking and receiving, using the analogy of a loving parent and a child. Jesus emphasizes that if earthly parents, who are imperfect, know how to give good gifts to their children when asked, then how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him. This passage underscores God's loving nature and His desire to bless His children.

Furthermore, Jesus goes on to teach the golden rule, stating that we should treat others as we would like to be treated. This principle of reciprocity encapsulates the essence of the Law and the Prophets, emphasizing the importance of love, empathy, and fairness in our relationships with others.

These passages remind believers of the power of prayer, the goodness of God, and the importance of treating others with love and fairness. They encourage a trustful and persistent approach to prayer and highlight the significance of embodying the golden rule in our interactions with others.