The Parables of Jesus - The Friend at Midnight

Today, through this 16th parable of Jesus, we will see how Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer, and by extension, how we, the Church, should approach it.

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Transcript

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Welcome to this new episode of the Gospel for the Nations podcast. This podcast has been brought to you by Pastor Kareem. Our desire is to open the Word of God with you and to speak in a way that is clear, simple, and full of grace. Wherever you are listening from, we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart through his word, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.

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So today, as I was mentioning, we're going to go through the 16th parable of Jesus. So we will see how Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer. And by extension, how we, the church, should approach prayer. The Reformed Baptist Confession of Faith describes prayer in this way: prayer is the offering up of our desires unto God, with the help of the Holy Spirit, for things according to His will, in the name of Christ, with faith, together with confession of our sins, and with thanksgiving for His mercies. Amen. So it's summarizing what is prayer. It is true that very often we pray for protection, for blessings, and many different kinds of requests. However, Jesus also gives an order, a model, a way by which we should approach God in prayer. So we are not going to do a complete study of the Lord's Prayer today. Because we already studied in the previous sermon. Nevertheless, we will use it to better understand the parable and the passage we are studying today. So, why is it this parable called the friend at midnight? Simply because a friend might come to us at an unexpected moment, sometimes even in an insistent and troubling way, knocking at our door in the middle of the night. Yet, despite the hour, the circumstances, and our tiredness, this friend still has to be welcomed, served, and treated with love. How much more than we should consider our Heavenly Father who watches over us, who loves us, and who perfectly knows what we need. Yet, in his wisdom, God desires to keep this living relationship with his children. A relationship that is close, constant, and filled with trust and dependence upon him. Trust and dependence. Isn't it beautiful? So let's read the context of the passage first. Luke 11, 1 to 4. There are important words in this passage. Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. And when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray. As John taught his disciples, and he said to them, When you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins. For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation. Amen. So we already see from the beginning of this passage, we can see the importance of prayer, first of all. Because Jesus Himself was praying. Yet he was praying in a place that is not mentioned, certain place. Which also shows us that we ourselves can pray in any place or situation. The Heavenly Father is attentive and listening in every place and in every circumstance. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. God is God. Then his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. Just as John, and John was referring to John the Baptist. How he taught his disciples. First of all, this shows that the disciples desired to grow spiritually. They wanted to understand what Jesus, their master, was saying and doing. But secondly, this reveals a continuity in the ministry of John the Baptist. So John the Baptist was preparing the way, the heavenly way, while Jesus opens the way of the kingdom of heaven, bringing to his disciples access and direct communion with the Father. Direct communion. And by extension to us today, his church. Which is also found in the Gospel of Matthew. The prayer that becomes the lasting pattern of prayer by excellence. The one that covers every aspect of Christian life. First, the glorification of the Father. We glorify Him. Then the will of the Father. Then the generosity of the Father. The mercy of the Father, the character of the Father, and the providence of the Father. The introduction will help us better understand the parable. Because if we don't read this, then we cannot understand the parable in the context. Showing us that prayer is not something occasional, but rather a daily habit for our spiritual health and condition. A dependent and intentional communion with our Heavenly Father. And even more concerning all things. So now let's read the parable itself. And he said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, let me three loaves for a friend of mine as a ride on a journey. And I have nothing to set before him. And he will answer from within, do not bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything. I tell you, though we will not get up and give him anything, because he is his friend. Yet because of his impudence or his insistence, he will rise and give him whatever he needs. See, there is a promise here. Jesus speaks through the parable in order to teach them this heavenly reality through a simple and understandable example. Speaking to hears prepared to receive his teaching. Yes, they were dependent on Jesus. When Jesus uses the example of a friend, this immediately speaks to them and directly. Why? Because within their own relationship, having left everything behind to follow their master, the disciples understood that Jesus was also their friend. The one who desired their good and taught them with the wisdom that came from heaven. And within the Jewish tradition, closeness and friendship were extremely important. This communal life stood at the center of their culture. They were embracing each other, they were really tactile. Come to my house, come have a dinner, come, let's gather together. This was a cultural thing. Therefore, when this friend arrived unexpectedly, it was customary to show great hospitality, especially after a journey. Because this traveler was likely tired and without resources. Yet, despite this, when the man asked another friend to help him in order to welcome his guest properly, he asked not for one loaf, but for three. What a demonstration of generosity. Because he himself desired to care for his friend in a worthy manner. It's true, he could have used only one. He said three. The response he has received when asking for help was certainly not what he expected. He was met with refusal, not even being offered the opening of the door. While excuses were being made in order to avoid helping him. Yes, there is here an element of great importance for understanding how the Father responds to our prayers. Through his insistence and perseverance, this man finally caused his friend to rise and help him. Yet yielded not because he truly desired to help, but because he wanted to free himself from this continual persistence. Okay, I woke up, I opened the door, I give him. But now Jesus enters into the heart of the matter and explains that God the Father is not like this so-called friend who was thinking about his own comfort and personal interest. And who, despite the immediate need of his friend, helped only, and because he was tired of him knocking at the door, which means without love, but because he was persistence. On the contrary, as Jesus says to his disciple at the beginning of the passage, the Heavenly Father desires that his children come unto him and ask of him with confidence. In order to maintain this relationship through sincere prayers. Amen. So now let's read the application of the parable. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks, find. 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. So, first of all, Jesus says, and I tell you, this shows his authority. The authority that came to be revealed. The authority of the kingdom of God, which came to bring the concrete application of his law, the very reality that will live in them and that lives in us today, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes. And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you. Yet the request that the disciple were to bring before the Father, as well as the request that we ourselves bring today, are not requests meant to satisfy our fleshly desires. But rather those that nourish our spirit through this dependence upon God. Within this dependence, there is also a true and active faith at work. A faith that rests entirely upon the Heavenly Father. And not upon our own reasoning, emotions, or experiences. I rely on what I went through. No, I rely on you, Lord. This spiritual wisdom is one of the fruit of the Spirit who dwells in us. The one who shows that we have surrendered all things at the cross. Take it all, O Lord, that we have died and risen with Christ. And that everything we do have to be directed, not by our own will, but by the will of the Father to the work of the Holy Spirit. Seek and you will find. This part is very interesting. This part requires even more of their part. Because when Jesus speaks on seeking, he speaks of seeking that which is from Him and through Him. What God has done, is doing, and will do where? Through Scripture. This already existed alongside the Jewish tradition. But it also remains today within our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. So we pray and we read the Word of God. And through this, we are able to find what we are seeking. Namely, wisdom, direction, and above all, the will of God. Seek and you will find. So the third one is knock and it will be opened to you. Gives even a greater weight on what prayer may produce as a direct consequence within our relationship with the Father. There is here by knocking an engaged, persevering, and almost insistent action. Knocking. If we are aligned with his word, who is what he says. If we obey him, if all of this gives glory unto God, and if his word confirms these things, only if yes. Through this simple and practical example, the disciples certainly understood the parallel between these two fathers. So one may be good, yet still remains limited by his nature, his actions, and his abilities. Yet at times we may think that our parents gave us what was the best for us. Yes. And this is in itself, may already be a great blessing. Yes. Nevertheless, the Father in heaven gives far beyond what any human being can offer. Eternal life. Not according to the world. The unconditional love. Not happiness. We are talking about joy, which is different. Peace. Shalom. And the true purpose in life. And all of this so that we ourselves may become living witnesses of the grace of God. Through the perfect and complete work of Jesus Christ. Yes, Lord, show us to be your witnesses. So now we are reading the explanation of the parable. Verse 13. 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? You can notice that I have put the two verses. One, the one we are studying now, but also the one written in the Gospel of Matthew to explain. Because it is the exact verse, but one little part has been changed or said differently, I would say. These two parallel passages from the Gospel of Luke and Matthew reveal the same essential truth concerning prayer and the goodness of God. If earthly parents, despite their imperfect nature, know how to give good things to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give perfectly unto those who come to him in faith? So Matthew speaks about good things, see, in a general way, showing that God cares for the daily needs of his children. On the other hand, while Luke places the emphasis upon the greatest gift of all, the Holy Spirit. The very presence of God within the life of the believer. So we might say, Oh, this is so strange. It's contradicting, right? But these two texts do not contradict one another. Never. But rather complete one another. Because the Holy Spirit is the supreme gift in whom all other blessings find their source. This teaches us that God is neither distant nor unwilling, but generous by nature, always giving what is good. He needs perfect timing, according to his will and his perfect sovereignty. You see the connection. If we don't read and study scripture, we might say, Oh, the Bible is not true. Here it's contradicting. Different period of time, different audience, different expectations. So now Luke is emphasizing on the greater. Before we're saying good things, but the greater thing is the Holy Spirit. But then, why is the guidance of the Holy Spirit essential each day? Because if we pray and we ask the Holy Spirit, why? Because He gives direction for our decisions. Romans 8 14 says, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Wow, this is powerful. Secondly, because he gives us power against sin. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not be gratified the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5 16. Walk by the Spirit. Because he produces within us a character that becomes more like Christ. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Because he gives us assurance in prayer. The Spirit Himself intercedes for us. Romans 8:26. He knows exactly what we have to pray for, but we have to open our mouth, open our heart, and initiate this relationship with God. Because he gives us boldness in our witness to the end of the earth. Act 1:8 says, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Power of what? Of witness Christ. If we have no power, we cannot witness Christ. Therefore, we are called to pray with confidence, perseverance, and dependence, seeking above all God Himself in His Spirit, while also living in the generosity that reflects the heart of the Father. So to conclude this message, through this parable, Jesus teaches us that prayer is not simply a religious habit, but a living relationship with our Father in heaven. A genuine relationship. God is not like this tired friend who was disturbed by the request of his neighbor, nor like an earthly father limited by human weakness. On the contrary, he is a good, loving, merciful, and faithful father. Desiring that his children continually come unto him with confidence, perseverance, and faith. And even greater than earthly blessings, the gift, the greatest gift that God gives to those who sincerely seek him is the Holy Spirit. The one who dwells within us, guides us, sanctifies us, strengthens us, and brings us each day closer to the likeness of Christ. Therefore, may our prayer life not be occasional or superficial, but deep, constant dependence upon God, persevering, and at times even insist so that our entire lives may bring glory to the Father through Jesus Christ. Amen. So what can we learn and apply from this passage? The importance of prayer. We are called to maintain a living communion with God. Luke 11 2, Father, hallowed be your name. What a glorious sentence. The importance of prayer. We are called to seek the will of God and his guidance in all things. Your kingdom come. Yes, Lord, your kingdom come. Not my kingdom, but your kingdom. The importance of prayer, we are called to persevere in bringing our needs before God. Because of his impudence or insistence, he will rise and give him whatever he needs. God wants us to be insistent when something doesn't happen. Yes, he might not open the doors, but he says, knock, and we will open. Right? We are called to approach God with faith, confidence, and dependence upon him. And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you. Seek and it will you will find. Knock and it will be open to you. The importance of prayer, we are called to depend upon God in every aspect of our lives. How much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? Amen. So I hope this message was revealing to you to understand that prayer, first of all. The life of prayer, if we see the life of prayer of someone, we can see the relationship he has with God. Yes. Even Jesus showed us the example. We have to pray in all circumstances, all situations, individually and collectively as well. So you can come on Tuesday for prayer meetings. Amen. Let's close in prayer. Heavenly Father, Almighty and Sovereign God. We thank you for your word, for your grace that allows us to know you and to worship you in the spirit and the truth. We know that you are merciful and compassionate, God. We ask you to give us hearts that desire to pray more and to rely upon you alone in our lives. We surrender to you, oh God, every aspect of our lives, trusting you fully and walking by faith. Keep us upon the narrow path and continue to sanctify us, transform us into the likeness of Christ. We thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and the head of this church. To you alone be all the glory and all the praise. For you loved us first and you gave your beloved Son for us while we were still sinners in our transgressions. We pray all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah. Praise God.

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Thank you for listening today. If the Lord used this message to bless you, feel free to share it so others can also be encouraged and strengthened for the coming days. Keep seeking Him, keep reading His Word, and keep trusting His grace every single day.