Analogy of Jesus Christ - Salt & Light

In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus says that you are the Salt and Light.
Jesus says this just after the BEATITUDES, he emphasises us to know that we are very much important for his kingdom and also to the world which we live. We ought to make certain thing in order to get such blessings. We have to be aware of what we are in him. We should never lose or ignore our gifts, we should alway use it for the right purpose. We should be like examples to the world which does not know about the kingdom of God.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The analogy here is comparing the value of a substance and its unproductive character if it lose its original quality, God recognises that each of us have been given an opportunity, as Jesus says "You are the salt of the earth". There is nothing more than that required for us to be affirmed. Jesus then reassures us that its not just our worthiness enough for us to keep it safe it should be shared with those who have misused their value of life, or who doesn't know their worthiness or value for life. 

Jesus analyses the worthiness:

Each and everyone are valuable in the eyes of God, he never put anyone or any circumstances just like that. Each and every moment of our live is very important for the kingdom. As Jesus says “You are the salt of the earth - by saying this Jesus brings us to a substance which is considered very much useful. Then he says, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. - Jesus here says but if the salt loses its flavor, that means there are possibilities for that valuable thing to go unused or underutilized. We should never let go of opportunities in life. We should never underestimate one's strength in God, their belief system, We should never compare ourselves with others. We should always go according to the will of the God for our life. 

Jesus says works of the gifts:

Jesus gives us such an importance of our life when he says, " “You are the light of the world." God in the process of creation itself divided the light from darkness. He opposed the darkness, because that which is against the will of God. Darkness represents the forces that limit and condemn, a spirit of infirmity, that which puts limitations. But when we are in light, as Jesus says it cannot be stopped. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Jesus here asks us to be wise and to have wisdom to discern the time. To be ready for his second coming and to be blameless and to be worthy of his calling. He also says that we should be able to do exceeding things, we are to be examples. Jesus says Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Which emphasises that the work that one does with his gift tells us about his character. Jesus says nobody will waste their life, with wise and wisdom from God - one will always utilise the things optimistically. 

Jesus gives us an opportunity:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

When Jesus says Let your light so shine before men. He says personally to each and everyone. Just after saying nor do they - Jesus says Let your. Jesus again and again emphasis about our utilization of resources to the utmost possible ways, and Jesus says that this will fulfill the most important aspect of our life - 

that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

By saying you are the Salt and Light of the earth and world. Jesus gives us utmost care and comfort to make sure that we utilize our time to the fullest and that is not enough, our work has to be so good that the people who never saw God, will come to know about him through our being through Christ.

Analogy of Jesus Christ - Woe to Pharisees

Luke 11:42 (NKJV)
42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Jesus was anger in another instance when he found the money changers in the temple, as our body is the holy temple. Jesus considers the church to be holy too.
Colossians 1:18 NIV
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Luke 19:45-46 (KJV)
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.


When we read through the verses 37 in Luke chapter 11, we find that Jesus certainly was angry about the laws of Pharisees and Lawyers, as these people were thinking what they were doing was Good, but eventually it happened to be the things which God hates, because God's ways are different from us, as said in Isaiah 55:8 NIV
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Woe to the Pharisees and Lawyers

37 And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. 40 Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

45 Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

46 And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

Jesus also taught us what defiles a man. Matthew 15:11 NIV
What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."

The analogy of the woe to pharisees is that Jesus views the things of the world, the law and culture differently. He does what the Heavenly Father has said him to do, to do the will of the Father. There were many instances where the pharisees and lawyers question about Jesus' authority and power, and about his belief and miracles. But Jesus knew their motive and intentions and would always reply in a way that they will be defeated and would not like to ask anymore. But such responses were so powerful that today we were able to learn so much from it.

Jesus responds first to the pharisees saying -  “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
As said in James - James 2:10 (NKJV)
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

We should never forget to do at least these to the people of God, and we should not fail to stumble in the least of all. Mark 9:41 NIV
Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Analogy of Jesus Christ - Vine & Branches

In John John 15 Jesus gives us an Analogy of Vine & its branches to that of his relationship with the Father in Heaven and how we need to have relationship with him & the Heavenly Father.

John 15

New King James Version (NKJV)

The True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

You can be all that you wanted to be in Christ. 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Jesus says that he is the true vine, he emphasis on truth - because there are many vine that will not enable us to have a relationship with the Heavenly Father. John 14:6 (NKJV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

As like the parables of Talents, Jesus warns us 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; but at the next word only he says - and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

Jesus also give us how important his word is - Matthew 4:4 NIV
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Jesus says that we are made clean by his word.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 
In John 13 -
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

By saying 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Jesus says about the relationship that we should have with him. Abiding in him is giving importance for his words, being obedient, we know our bodies are the holy temple - 
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?

Our duty is to keep this body holy, as the spirit of lord dwells in it. We need to be holy and blameless at the day of his appearance - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

In the verse 5-8 Jesus again re-emphasises the importance of the relationship with the Heavenly Father. Jesus also says that this relationship will enable us to glorify the Father, i.e by being much fruitful. In the first instance Jesus relates himself with the Heavenly Father, now he relates to us. So by doing this he sets us a example of how he makes us the way to the Father and he being obedient himself to the Father.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Analogy of Jesus Christ - The Cost of Discipleship

Luke 9 - 

In Luke chapter 9 there were many instances Jesus said what one need to do to be his Disciple. At first he says to Take up the Cross and Follow Him from the 23 v to 27 and then in 57 v to 62 Jesus teaches us the Cost of Discipleship. 

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

The Analogy of Jesus "Take up the Cross and Follow me" - 

Jesus says to take up the Cross and Follow him. First he says "If anyone desires to come after me". So, there should be a desire to Follow Jesus. The Desire is - In all thy ways acknowledge him.

Proverbs 3:6 ASV

In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 84:10 (NKJV)

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 16 (NKJV)

The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory

A Michtam of David.

16 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,

“You are my Lord,

My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

3 As for the saints who are on the earth,

“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

That Desire that David had should be our Desire too. 

The Analogy of Jesus saying "“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Is that Jesus was God, The one who feeds all the creatures. As he said in - Matthew 6:26 NIV

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Jesus did not complain to the Heavenly Father, He Humbled himself, As said in Philippians 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

But when he came to the world the people didn't acknowledged him, rather he was humiliated and rejected. Luke 4:24 NIV "Truly I tell you," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

The Cost of Discipleship

57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Analogy of Jesus Christ - Faith as little as Mustard seed to move mountains

Mustard seed and Mountains.

The Analogy of Mustard Seed and the Kingdom of God - In Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
The Parables of the Mustard Seed, the Mustard Seed is also used for the measurement of Faith, that will enable us to Move Mountains, and Mustard Seed is compared to various other things in the bible. It also teaches us that Jesus measures our faith as little as a Mustard Seed, If we have such little Faith that is enough that will produce enormous results. Look at the size of a Mustard and the size of a Mountain... The size varies more than thousands and thousands. Faith as little as Mustard Seed could move such big Mountains. God is faithful, he will do what he promises, We need to have Faith enough to conquer such results.

Jesus said "If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

So Faith is things hoped for and not seen, as said in Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

James 1:22
King James Version (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The Mustard Seed is compared with the following to make us understand what Faith is and what can happen if one has Faith as little as Mustard Seed.
1. To move mountains - When Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon in Matthew 17:14-23
Jesus says this when the disciple was not able to heal the boy with a Demon -  For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

2. Grows exponentially -  In Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
The Parables of the Mustard Seed
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Jesus says, he came to the world to give us life and life abundantly - John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

3. To cast Mulberry Tree into the Sea -In Luke 17:6 (NKJV) When Jesus was saying about Faith and Duty -
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Jesus said to Thomas, after resurrection when Jesus asked Thomas to touch and believe ...

John 20:29 (NIV)
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In Luke 11: 27 As Jesus was saying about the authority of God, as he was tested and told that he does miracle with the power of evil, When Jesus explains by what authority he does miracles....... As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

The analogy of Mustard seed gives us an insight into the aspects of God in Faith, Belief and Trust and how God values the little Faith that we have and what it results in. In Luke 10 verse 23 Jesus says -

Luke 10:23-27

King James Version (KJV)

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Analogy of Jesus Christ - two sparrows a penny

Matthew 10:27-31

New International Version (NIV)

27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus analogy of two sparrows for a penny again states the care and love God has for us. Just after encouraging the disciples, after instructing the disciples as to what to do Jesus analyses the worthiness of human soul, how it is valued.

Jesus gives us instruction:
The first instruction is to spread the word of God, Speaking it in daylight, Proclaiming from the roofs. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 
The great commission:
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus says whom to be Afraid of and for what:
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 
Jesus gives us the instruction as to whom we should be afraid of - It is God. And he only has the power.

Jesus analogy of sparrows:
As Jesus was instructing, encouraging and emphasising - He also gives us an assurance of how much he cares and Love for us by comparing our life itself with that of the sparrow's life. A Sparrow's life is worth of something, here in the analogy Jesus questions us 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Jesus asks us this question to make us know of what a sparrow is worth about and then says Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And then comes to our physical care, the hairs of our head. That which we care least about to number, but God says 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. The finally reassures us that we are not to be afraid, and then also says about our worthiness.31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Even when God says - Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Or when Isaiah says about God's act in - Isaiah 59:1 NIV
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

God with his word and prophets and in many instances and in many ways has encouraged who had no hope, he has been there all along when saints like John, Joseph, Paul... etc who were going through such pain, loneliness and sufferings in prison and in many other instances they had to be afraid of, but yet God was with them and enabled them to overcome all such fears and they were never afraid. One of the most important aspect in our life that keeps us holding us from achieving or being our best for God is fear. Jesus always enables us with his confidence that he had with the Heavenly Father, Jesus also enables us to know how important we are in Father's hand. We also need to be sure that God will act on the right time and never leave us alone to fear and be afraid of things that makes no effect on our soul, that which God calls us to keep holy and to seek his kingdom.

The lesson that Jesus teaches us from this analogy is that we are not to be afraid of what man can do.We need to have such courage as like God's people had, proclaiming greatly as like David.
Psalm 118:6 (KJV)
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
as like John - 1 John 4:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The fact that Jesus took Sparrows and the hair of our head is that, as Jesus says Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.The Father's care is so much that we don't have to be afraid of anything, our only concern should be to be afraid of God, God alone and to know how much he cares for us.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

1 Peter 5:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Analogy of Jesus Christ - Ask Seek And Knock

Matthew 7:7-12

New International Version (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus gives us new perspective of what it means to Ask - Ask God for things in life, What it means to Seek - Seek his kingdom, And to knock - Knock at the doors of opportunities he has for us.  

Ask

So what should we ASK?

Ask for his guidance, Wisdom - As Solomon Asks - 

2 Chronicles 1:7-12

New International Version (NIV)

7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Ask for Forgiveness of Sins. To forgive one another.
Matthew 6:12 NIV

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

How to ASK?

Ask in the Name of Jesus - 

John 14:13 NIV -  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Asking God persistently - In prayers, in faith.

Asking God is an act of showing respect and an act to glorify God. 

Jesus gave us this parables and analogies to make us understand how important we are for him, how much he Loves and cares for us when we ask -

Parable of the Friend at Night

He said to them, "Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,' and he from within will answer and say, 'Don't bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give it to you'? I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs. Luke 11:5-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

Seek
Seek for his Kingdom First - Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seek for him - God
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Knock
John 10:9-16 (NKJV)

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.


One of the most important aspect in the above analogy of Jesus - Ask, Seek and Knock is this. Jesus shows us what the Heavenly Father's Gifting is all about. 

Asking is to do with our words, we ask because we need something and we ask with the confidence of getting. Its much to do with our mouth and nothing more. When we get what we have asked for, it signifies or shows our power of our words. 

Seeking is to do with our heart. Its much to do with our thoughts. It signifies or shows our power of our thought.

Knocking is an act - much to do with our physical abilities - an act of setting out ourselves to make things happen. It signifies or shows our physical abilities.

So, Jesus takes each aspect and says positively -  7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Jesus also reassures the statement by saying 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jesus says first personally (ASK, SEEK and KNOCK) and then generalizes(everyone who ASKS, SEEKS and KNOCKS)

The Analogy is by comparing as to what one may get when they ask, seek and knock. 
The Analogy of Bread and Stone - 
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
We know that when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the satan tests Jesus with question asking Jesus to turn the stones into bread.

Matthew 4
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Jesus and the Devil

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. 2 After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. 3 Then the devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to turn into bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:
‘No one can live only on food.
People need every word

    that God has spoken.’”

Now in the analogy Jesus says "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?. This signifies the confidence that Jesus has with the Father. That enabled him to overcome that temptation that he had in the wilderness. Asking father means believing in his words. That is why Jesus said,  ‘No one can live only on food.
People need every word

    that God has spoken.’”

Analogy of Fish and Snake:
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

In the analogy Jesus asks if the son asks for a fish, will the father give him a snake?

In the miracles of Jesus - "Miraculous draught of fish" and "Feeding the thousands" - Jesus teaches us that Father in heaven is much concerned about our lives. He knows our pains and sufferings, he doesn't even like us to be a failure or hunger. He makes things happen, He gives us fish that which even the nets could not bear, and he feeds us our hunger.

"miraculous draught of fish". - Two instances where fishes caught on the net was one of the miracles of Jesus, teaching lessons for life by his miracle. Even in Feeding the multitude there were two significant miracle, teaching us lessons.
"miracle of the seven loaves and fish". - "The Feeding of the 5000"

"miracle of the seven loaves and fishes" - "The Feeding of the 4,000"

In the 12th verse Jesus says. 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Here Jesus changes the whole perception of our thinking about Gifts....


Many of us think that its receiving great gifts that makes our life happy...
but its not in receiving, but in giving - Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Hebrews 12:2 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


If we ever in life thought that we are only giving and not receiving any gifts, let us have this in mind. The God who created everything has the best sense of gifting. John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Analogy of Jesus Christ - Camel and the Eye of a Needle

Matthew 19:23-24

New International Version (NIV)

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

In the BEATITUDES - Jesus said, Luke 6:20 NIV
Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.


In James chapter, James warns the Rich Oppressors.
James 5 (NIV)
Warning to Rich Oppressors
5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Jesus in his journey has met many Rich Oppressors.
Luke 19:1-10 (NKJV)
Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House
19 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

In the above Analogy, Jesus compares a Camel with the Eye of a Needle. Its doubtless that the comparison is very different. Lets look at the size of the Eye of a Needle and Camel, Its thousands and thousands of size bigger, but still that may happen but not the Rich to enter into the kingdom of God.

The above Analogy takes place when Jesus explained what needs to be done for eternal life to a young man..

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus' Perspective:
Jesus' perspective of explaining this Analogy is to make us understand that it is not easier to enter into the kingdom of heaven if one is rich and has not turned from earthly or materialistic possession to godly and being spiritually filled.

Jesus says it is impossible with man, but possible with God:
In fact it is God who gives us the gifts of making one richer and the other poor for our own benefit. In the parable of talents, each person got the talents that which he can use it for a better purpose. The only aspect God looks for in the rich is to help the poor, to seek his kingdom. God has given us this perspective of looking at the things of the world and to turn from evil is this, In Matthew 4:9 - as we could see, when Jesus was tempted, the temper tempts Jesus by saying  "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
But Jesus responds - 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.
That should be our perspective when the temper tempts with the worldly things which are not according to his will.

Jesus asks us to look at the Eye of the Needle: 
Look at the Eye of the Needle and the Camel, Is it possible for a Camel to enter into it? No, Not possible and it will never be possible. That is why in the coming verse of the same chapter, Jesus explains "What is impossible with man is possible with God", for "there is nothing impossible for God". By no means and ways one can enter into the kingdom of God, One may do anything by himself, but until and unless he comes to God and listens to God, and when God says as to what needs to be done, then just like the young man in the Analogy, When one does as to what God says then he will able to enter into the kingdom of God.

Psalm 72:12 NIV
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.

Psalm 12:5 NIV
"Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

Psalm 41:1 NIV
For the director of music. A psalm of David. Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.

Psalm 70:5 NIV
But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.

1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy"