What does it say?
Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God’s name, God’s kingdom, our needs, our sin, forgive others, and protection from temptation. In the form of a parable, Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer to God. God will give the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Some were saying that Jesus casts out demons by the ruler of demons but Jesus showed that this is not logical; if Satan is divided against himself, he cannot stand; however, if Jesus casts out demons by the finger of God, the kingdom of God has come upon us. If a man is made clean, but not holy, his end will be worse than if he was never made clean. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Jesus is greater than all the Old Testament prophets and kings. Make sure that the light that you see with is good light and not actually darkness. Jesus said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside you are full of robbery and wickedness.” The Pharisees were concerned about how they appear to others rather than the state of their mind and heart. The lawyers were making things more difficult for the people. The scribes and Pharisees were attempting catch Jesus in something that he might say.
What does it mean?
God’s name, God’s kingdom, our needs, confession of sin, forgiving others and protection from evil are what we should be praying. We must be persistent in our prayer life, always lifting these up to God. God is good, therefore, we should not be afraid to ask for what we need. Jesus is God in human flesh. The miraculous side of Jesus ministry was there to show us that God had invaded the world in which we live and had come in a body like ours. The Pharisee looked very good on the outside but inside, he was a sinner. The lawyers were adding to the law, in a vain attempt to keep people from breaking the law. Neither of these were good. Love and kindness towards others is the way that we should treat everyone. We should never think of ourselves as greater than anyone else. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard.
What shall I do?
I shall pray daily for God’s name, God’s kingdom, my needs, confess my sin, forgive others and protection from temptation. I shall be persistent in prayer and trust that God is good, he will see what I need and give it to me. I shall hear the word of God and observe it. I shall not think of myself as better than anyone else and I shall not make things to difficult for others.
