THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
(As Revealed in the Lord’s Prayer)
We find “the Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9 ff as a part of “The Sermon on the Mount.” The parallel passage in Luke 11, however, provides us with some additional information not found in Matthew’s account. Luke 11:1 reads as follows: “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’” (referring to ‘John the Baptist’ – NASB)
(As Revealed in the Lord’s Prayer)
We find “the Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9 ff as a part of “The Sermon on the Mount.” The parallel passage in Luke 11, however, provides us with some additional information not found in Matthew’s account. Luke 11:1 reads as follows: “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’” (referring to ‘John the Baptist’ – NASB)
Why would Jesus’ disciples make such a request? In the first century culture of Biblical Judaism, prayer was a regular part of one’s daily routine. Even as the Muslims today pray ritually 5 times a day facing Mecca, so, too, the Jews prayed the “Amida” (the “standing prayer” every day, three times a day. This was a recitation of “blessings.”)
Like so many of us today, Jesus’ disciples were seeking that “something more” that they saw in their Rabbi – that “something” that He had, that connection with their God that they lacked. Jesus moved in a realm of peace, power and passion that they wanted but did not know how to access and could not sustain whenever they did get a “touch” of it. They had heard that John the Baptist’s disciples had been instructed by him to pray something “new,” something “different” that set them apart. The disciples of Jesus saw in these fellow seekers something that had been imparted to John’s disciples by this passionate prophet that was significant enough to provoke in them a desire for a “deeper walk.” Have you ever felt that way?
If so, “Good!” – because that desire, that thirst, for something “more” is what we need in order to have our minds and hearts open to the Lord in order to receive from Him that which only He can give to us – The Keys to the Kingdom of God!
We will begin a study of “The Lord’s Prayer” and see what these “Keys” are!
No comments:
Post a Comment