January 26 God So Loved

Luke 11:11-15 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
 
IN the original Greek writings of this Scripture, Jesus is recorded as he began this lesson to have said, “In other words”. In other words, our Lord is continuing his teaching on prayer from the parable of the loud, knocking man seeking bread from his friend to offer to his late-night guest.
    That lesson spoke to our heavenly Father’s willingness to fully answer our needs as we seek God’s will to be done in our lives. Jesus affirms this further as he teaches us more of God’s fatherly character.
    Here is a good summary of this passage from The Life Application Commentary: “Jesus revealed the heart of God the Father. God is not selfish, begrudging, or stingy; his followers don't have to beg or grovel when they come with their requests. He is a loving Father who understands, cares, comforts, and willingly gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Because the Holy Spirit is the Father's highest gift, the Father will not refuse giving him to those who ask.
    “Believers can trust in God's provision for all their lesser needs as well. How much better the perfect heavenly Father treats his children! The most important gift he could ever give is the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.   
      See how Jesus, the Son, loves and affirmed the Father. He came to show us the Father. He taught us of the Father’s justice, love, grace, righteousness, power and provision. As Jesus taught, he knew the Father was preparing to unleash the greatest love gift of all to mankind. After all, Jesus had also taught to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
    See how the Father lovingly gave us his Son. The powerfully he gave us his Spirit. Through the Son’s sacrifice and the Spirit’s power, we have the gift of eternal life.
    Jesus’ teachings effectively tell you: “This is your Father in Heaven. Hallow his name. Ask for your daily bread. Pray his kingdom come. Desire his will to be done. Trust his love for you. Rejoice and live in peace. Pray for and receive the Spirit’s gift of eternal life. This is all you need.”  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen.