
In Luke 11:5–13, Jesus reminds us of God’s deep generosity and love. Just as earthly parents naturally give good gifts to their children, our heavenly Father—who is perfect—gives us something far greater: His very Spirit. This passage isn’t about material blessings, but about receiving the presence, wisdom, and grace of God Himself. If our imperfect love for our children runs so deep, how much more must God’s love overflow toward us? That truth changes everything. As we head into the weekend, let’s rest in this: you are loved more than you can possibly imagine.
Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history.
Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.
Click here if you’d like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST.
Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.
You can read today’s passage here.
You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.
Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!
Well, good morning! I hope you’re doing well on this wonderful Friday. It’s great to be with you as we continue in Luke’s gospel.
Today we’re in Luke 11:5–13. And honestly, this passage has probably shaped my understanding of God more than almost anything else in the Bible. Years ago, when I first discovered it and really prayed through it, it changed me. Just this week I was talking with a former church member, and she said this passage had deeply impacted her and her family too. It’s powerful. Let’s read it together:
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is locked, and my children are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
That last part—if you then, who are 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—that’s the line that changed my life.
Now, quick note before we unpack that: this is not a “name it and claim it” passage. This doesn’t mean God will give you a new car or whatever material thing you’re asking for. When Scripture says “ask and it will be given,” it’s always about the things of God—wisdom, the Spirit, God’s presence. And that’s the greatest gift of all. The best thing God can give you isn’t stuff. It’s himself—fully given in Jesus Christ, through his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return.
Okay—now to the part that really grabs me. Jesus says: If you who are evil—if you who are sinful, imperfect—know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more does your heavenly Father?
Parents, you get this. If your kids need something, and you have it in you to give, you’re going to give it. That’s not extraordinary—that’s parenting 101. My kids are grown and in college, but if they need something and I can do it, I’ll do it. That’s just the natural impulse of a parent.
But here’s the kicker: if we—imperfect, sinful, prone-to-wander people—know how to love and give like that, how much more does our perfect heavenly Father love us? That’s the question Jesus is driving home.
Think about it. Even when our kids frustrate us, even when they make choices we don’t like, we still love them. We can’t help it. It’s just in us. That’s how God loves you—except infinitely more. Your love for your child, as deep and powerful as it is, doesn’t even scratch the surface of God’s love for you. It’s like a drop compared to the ocean.
And that’s grace. That’s why I can’t stop talking about grace—because once you get even a glimpse of how much God loves you, it changes everything.
So as we head into the weekend, sit with that. Let it soak in. The deepest, strongest love you’ve ever felt—for your kids, your grandkids—that’s just a shadow of how much God loves you. You are loved more than you can imagine.
Thanks for being with me today. I just love this passage, and it’s been a joy to share it. Hope you have a great day and a great weekend.