Scripture
Luke 11:5-13 (NIRV)
 
5Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend. You go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. 6A friend of mine on a journey has come to stay with me. I have no food to give him.' 7And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked. My children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, that person will not get up. And he won't give you bread just because he is your friend. But because you keep bothering him, he will surely get up. He will give you as much as you need.
 
9"So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And the door will be opened to the one who knocks.
 
11"Fathers, suppose your son asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake instead? 12Or suppose he asks for an egg. Which of you will give him a scorpion? 13Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Meditation
Our Role in Transformation - Becky Brashears
 
This scripture passage follows Jesus responding to one of his disciple's requests about learning how to pray by giving them the model prayer we know as The Lord's Prayer. He invites the disciples and us to into a personal relationship with God by encouraging us to call God Our Father, trusting that God wants good things for them. Jesus then proceeds to share the parable about asking your friend at midnight for loaves of bread to feed a friend who has come to stay at his home.
 
Studying the commentaries about this passage, I am reminded of the cultural mores of Jesus' time which differ from our time. Hospitality was very important in the biblical world and when a guest arrived-even if it is unexpected at midnight-hospitality must be extended. Today we might empathize with the man awakened by his neighbor requesting three loaves of bread, but during biblical times, the woken-up friend is behaving badly to the point his honor is at stake. The man will eventually honor his friend's request if nothing more than to acknowledge his friend's persistence and to honor the obligation of hospitality.
 
These three parables told by Jesus share a common thread. We have been studying about transformation of our life through the three stages of grace, as defined by John Wesley. Prevenient grace is God's work in our lives before we are aware of it. Justifying grace seeks to show us who we are and where we fall short. Sanctifying grace works on us and with us to restore the image of God in our lives. I see these parables as teaching us our role in our transformation. We have to be shameless in asking God to work in our lives. We must ask, seek, and knock. We cannot sit back and simply hope for this to happen. Transformation requires action on our part. Some commentaries define this friend as persistent (which is usually a good quality unless it is the persistence of a whining child); some define this as shamelessly calling on God to work in our lives. Either way, it is something we must do if we want to benefit in the sanctifying grace which restores us to the image of God in our lives.
Reflection
Think about your relationship with God. Is it as intimate as you would like? Are you able to talk to him about everything, asking for his help when problems seem insurmountable? Are you willing to search for answers within the scriptures and from fellow Christians on a spiritual journey like you? Do you knock at doors that previously have seemed closed but now with God by your side they have the possibility of being opened? The following children's song is a wonderful reminder of God's availability to us. Listen to these simple instructions .
Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, Thank you for seeing my faults, accepting my imperfections, yet loving me unconditionally. Thank you for allowing me to come to you with my thoughts, questions, doubts, frustrations, and simply asking for your direction for my life. Thank you for sending your son Jesus who died on the cross for my sins. I want to walk with you daily and share your love with others. Amen.
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