December 11: Luke 11 Devotional

Jesus Teaching on Prayer

Jesus’ teachings on prayer are a priceless gift to humanity. He offers us profound insights into the power and purpose of this spiritual practice. Jesus begins by sharing a model prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. This simple yet powerful template demonstrates the importance of addressing God as our Father and seeking His will above all else. Praying was not meant to be a complicated stretch, only for the clever or the eloquent, but a heartfelt conversation with our heavenly Father.
To summarize, Jesus’ teaching on prayer was threefold:

Recognizing and praising God (Our Father who art in heaven) Would not you begin any conversation by acknowledging the person you are speaking with?
Seeking God’s will, not rushing into our wish list ("Your kingdom come"), and
Trusting in God’s daily provision, forgiveness, and guidance ("Give us each day our daily bread, forgive us... lead us not into temptation.").

But Jesus does not stop there; he uses a parable about a friend who requests bread at midnight to demonstrate the persistence we should have in our prayers. The key takeaway is that we must approach prayer with unwavering faith and seek God’s intervention fervently.

Furthermore, Jesus emphasizes the significance of asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer. He assures us that when we ask, it will be given; when we seek, we will find; and when we knock, doors will open. All these teachings underscore the significance of actively engaging with God through heartfelt communication.

Jesus invites us to a close relationship with our Heavenly Father through his teachings on prayer, characterized by faith, perseverance, love, and confident expectation. So, let us accept this invitation wholeheartedly and embark on a journey of deepening our relationship with God through heartfelt prayers.

Jesus and Beelzebul

One of the intriguing topics that Jesus addressed in Luke 11 is the accusation thrown at him regarding Beelzebul, the prince of demons. The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons with the power of Beelzebul himself. The accusation was a serious allegation and an attempt to discredit his authority.

Jesus responded with wisdom and logic, questioning how Satan could cast out Satan. He explained that a kingdom or house cannot stand if it is divided against itself. Similarly, if Satan were working against his forces, it would lead to chaos and self-destruction. Then Jesus declared that He cast out demons with the help of the Holy Spirit. He emphasized his divine authority and power over evil forces.

The accusation of the Pharisees reveals their hardened hearts and refusal to accept the obvious truth. Despite witnessing miracles performed by Jesus, they sought to undermine his ministry through baseless accusations.

Sign of Jonah

Jesus uses this analogy to predict his death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so would the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth.

Jesus’ reference to Jonah’s story reveals his understanding of his earthly purpose. It also demonstrates his divine authority over death and resurrection. Jesus’ statement about being in the heart of the earth for three days and nights foreshadows his crucifixion and resurrection.

Furthermore, just as Jonah’s message resulted in Nineveh’s repentance, Jesus’ message would result in an even more incredible transformation—salvation for all who believe in him.

This teaching prompts us to consider our reaction to God’s word. It reminds us that just as Nineveh responded positively to Jonah’s message, we should also heed Jesus’ teachings with an open heart and mind.

Woe on Pharisees and Experts in the Law

The Pharisees and Law experts frequently contradicted Jesus and his teachings. They questioned his authority, criticized his actions, and tried to trap him with their clever questions. But Jesus was not deterred. He continued to teach the truth and expose their hypocrisy.

With His words, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and, in doing so, invites us to consider the authenticity of our faith. It’s not about following rituals or norms for appearance but cultivating genuine love, justice, and compassion. That, my dear readers, is the true heart of actual devotion.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of our own need for humility in prayer. We must approach God with sincerity and authenticity rather than trying to impress others with our religious performance. So, let us approach God boldly, seeking His will above all else. May we always remember that through faith in Jesus Christ alone, we can find forgiveness for our sins and eternal life in Him.