INTERSECTIONS—"Running a Green Light” Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8

Today, we shall look at two short stories Jesus told to help us in the discipline of prayer. Context will be very important for us to pay attention to so that we do not miss the equally important lesson Jesus was teaching His audience.

Running A Green Light—that really doesn’t make sense, does it? This title is to alert us quickly to the reason behind the main point of this message and Jesus’ lesson for the disciples. Can you really run a green light? You can run a yellow light. You may even receive some scowls from the passengers or more so from the driver who was waiting to turn left. Running a red light can get you killed, and most of us would never venture to run a red light.

Through both of these stories, we answer the questions How? How long? And When? Jesus follows His answer to the disciples “Teach us to pray” in Luke 11 with the Lord’s Model prayer and then addresses the “How long?” questions with a story of a friend going to his neighbor for help and the hour is late.

Let’s read it together.

“5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Did you see what the friend did? He basically ran a green light. He pursued an objective he was confident he could achieve. Notice also that even though it was a bit embarrassing, he made a conscious choice between two valid and equally risky social snafus. He could fail to show hospitality to a friend who shows up at midnight (we won’t talk about that friend, though obviously he turned to who he thought was a good friend or he wouldn’t have shown up that late…not to mention that the hot climate made travel much more pleasant in the late hours of the day and evening). In eastern culture, it was customary to house a guest who was traveling and sought cover. That hospitality also included a good meal/bread. He was stuck. Here is a friend, and he has no food. An equally risky option was to wake up a friend…after midnight. Again, to better understand this story, you must realize the culture and time in history. A mostly agricultural society would have already been retired to bed hours earlier once it had gotten dark. So, we understand his choices, and from the story, you already know that he chose to wake up the friend.

Running A Green Light is to remind you of the main point of Jesus’ story. Persistence. Notice that since the hour was late, he should have known, “this is most likely not going to work.” Also notice the neighbor’s first response. “NO! We are all asleep and I will wake up every one!” (Describe a typical home, how/where they slept and who else was in the house asleep) Inferred in this short story is that the man did not stop knocking, asking and he continued to knock and cry out for his friend to save him from his predicament.

So, there is a valuable lesson here about prayer that Jesus wants us to know, learn and put into practice. Persistence. So, I get it. Keep on asking. But look at the definition more closely.

Persist—a. to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, b. to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition or position, c. to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance, d. to continue to exist especially in spite of interference or ill treatment. John MacArthur further adds to this asking and seeking the words shamelessness, insolence, audacity, and boldness. Edward M. Bounds, a great preacher and scholar of prayer, speaks in all of his writings on prayer what many lack when they approach prayer. Some approach prayer as if there is already a red light. I won’t be here long. Some approach prayer as if there were a caution light—I will set aside a few moments for talking with God, but I am already late and I must go. I have much to do today. I will proceed with caution but I got to go! Bounds implores us to pray with passion. Pray with boldness. Enter that time of prayer as a child who comes to a generous father who loves his sons and daughters and desires to bless them according to what he sees is the very best for them. He uses words like bold, violent, insisting, commanding to claim the promises of God.

Like the man in this story, I know Justin always has leftovers. He is my friend. He will get past this and he will help me. I know he will. See in this man a determination to take the hill, bang on the door and leave with what he came to get. Answers. Food. Bailed out.

“The praying which influences God is declared to be that of the fervent, effectual outpouring of a righteous man. That is to say, it is prayer on fire…” Edward M. Bounds, Necessity of Prayer.

All the scholars point to a literary tool used often to convey a message. Arguing from the lesser to the greater. Jesus employs this tool by giving us a story that we can easily visualize. Surely, if this friend would help his neighbor by waking up the whole family and the livestock and fowl to give him some bread, surely a father would. Look further. The tense of the verbs that follow in verses 9-10 communicate persistence. “Keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking” point back to this picture of a man banging on a door after midnight because he knows his friend will answer, help and provide. Do not miss the promises that Jesus firmly attaches to each. Keep on asking for you will receive. Keep on seeking for you will find. Keep on knocking for the door will open. That should really encourage us a people who pray. Don’t give up. Don’t stop. Many pray and stop long before the blessing comes. Many give up before the answer is revealed. Stay the course. Keep on! Press on through the promise.

Jesus is not finished. He gives one more argument from the lesser to the greater. He then compares earthly fathers with His heavenly Father. You recognized it, right? What father would give children a snake who asked for bread? What father would give a child a scorpion when asked for an egg.

I love what John MacArthur emphasizes here. He doesn’t call that kind of father or that kind of giving evil. Jesus makes it clear what our earthly condition is. He says, “13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Jesus points us right back to that humbling, low and true condition of mankind. EVIL. He is pointing to our depravity, our inability to do good and our inability to save ourselves. So, the argument is more like from the much lesser to the much greater.

There is a story in Matthew 15:21-28, that depicts this same relentless, undying passion to claim what one is desperate for when there is confidence that the answer is within reach.

“21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”

First of all, she is crying out to a people who are not her people. She is a foreigner. A stranger to God and far from God. Jesus doesn’t even acknowledge her cry. She continues and even the disciples get in on the rebuke. They ask Jesus to send her away. Can you feel the judging scowls even from two thousand years ago and cultures away? Jesus pretty much emphasizes the separation. You are not of us. She keeps crying out for her daughter. Then she prays the prayer of persistent passion and lays claim to her plea “HELP ME, LORD!” One last barrier. Do you think she will endure a social slur by basically being called a dog? “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” She lays claim to the promises as a daughter of Almighty God. She identifies Jesus as her Lord and Master. Here is the promise to one who will pray with unhindered importunity— “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”

In Luke 18:1-8, we also must see the context so that with the lesson of persistence in prayer we also receive the equally important lesson. Jesus is teaching about the second coming in Luke 18 and he connects this same persistence in prayer to believers’ longing, looking and praying with ceaseless passion for MARANATHA—Come Lord Jesus! Chapter 17 ends with Jesus’ teachings on how sudden the Kingdom will come and that we should be ready. Then he teaches us to pray in perspective of life here awaiting His coming and life in the new earth and the new heaven.

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, “Give me legal protection from my opponent.” 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, “Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.” 6 And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?’”

First, notice the answer to the question, “When should I pray and how long?” Jesus was telling them this story, this parable to answer that question (especially in regards to His Second Coming).

We should pray at all times. I like that. I learned from some dear pastors in my life the priority of praying in the moment. Gone are the phrases “I will pray for you.” I will, but let’s pray now. Every occasion affords an opportunity to pray.

John MacArthur said that in this context, Jesus knew the weakness of mankind. We grow tired. We are impatient. We easily give up. We forget. We lose priority. He says, “Keep on praying. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Don’t grow faint. Pray.” Notice the line, “…and not to lose heart.” Here Jesus gives insight to His intimate knowledge of our weakness. He knows that in man’s calendar, His return will be a long time. Right now, we are looking at 2000 years and more since the promise was made. Jesus encourages us saying, “Don’t let the passing of time wear you down and make you faint-hearted. Don’t lose heart. Don’t let society and the world conquer your faith and hope.”

Keep praying. Run that green light. It is green. You are to keep on driving. Don’t stop. Keep asking. Keep crying out. Be persistent. You know He is God. You know He hears. You know he loves you and wants only what is best for you. Ask Him. Keep on asking Him. Don’t give up. Faith prayers are persistent prayers. You keep coming. You keep seeking. Keep praying.” Then it is as if Jesus knows they need a picture. We need a picture. So, Jesus tells a story very familiar to their context and daily experience. There were many unjust judges. There were many widows who were ignored.

Notice again the main point of these stories and Jesus’ teaching. What is the main point of this message, this sermon this morning? It is persistence. We are to be persistent. We are to exercise that dogged determination of the Syrophoenecian mother, the friend at midnight and this desperate widow before a rogue judge who cared nothing for God or man. He was shameless. Her situation proved impossible. And the lesson is simple. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking.

When I heard Charles Stanley preach on this passage decades ago, I began a practice of reserving a section of my journal for Persistent Lists. I write Luke 18:7 at the top of the page and I don’t remove a name or request until God answers. I draw a cross above each request when God answers. “7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”

Again, we are to notice the lesser to greater argument. Surely if this rogue judge answers this poor, desolate widow, then God your heavenly Father, who is good, loving and caring, gracious and compassionate, a generous Father who desires to bless His children will answer you.

Lastly, we must not miss what Jesus says at the end.

“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Did you see it? Jesus is saying, when it is time, when the Father gives the nod, my return will not be delayed. It will come quickly. He poses this challenge, “Will I find people who pray for my return without losing heart? Will I find expectant followers who pray with passion for my return? Will I find persistent, undying faith, running green lights toward God’s favor like the man at midnight going to his friend not having a bit of doubt that he will open the door, like the Canaanite woman begging on behalf of her daughter from the only source she knew could give her what she needed, and like the widow before this unjust, unfeeling, mean rogue judge who kept coming day after day asking the same question?

There is one takeaway today. Persistence. When am I to pray? At any opportunity. All occasions. In every situation. Among any people. How long? Day and night. Every day. Keep on keeping on. How am I to pray? Pray with passion-filled persistence.

As Jacob said to God in that all-night spiritual wrestling match, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”