The Parables of Jesus - The Friend at Midnight

Introduction

Today, through this 16th parable of Jesus, we will see how Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer, and by extension, how we, the Church, should approach it.

The Reformed Baptist Confession of Faith describes prayer in this way: Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto God (Psalm 62:8), with the help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26), for things according to His will (1 John 5:14; Romans 8:27), in the name of Christ (John 16:23), with faith (Matthew 21:22; James 1:6), together with the confession of our sins (Psalm 32:5-6; Daniel 9:4), and with thanksgiving for His mercies (Philippians 4:6).

It is true that very often we pray for protection, blessings, or many different kinds of requests. However, Jesus also gives an order, a model, and a way by which we should approach God in prayer.

We are not going to do a complete study of the “Lord’s Prayer,” because we already studied it in a previous sermon. Nevertheless, we will use it in order to better understand the parable and the passage we are studying today.

So why is this parable called “The Friend at Midnight”?

Simply because a friend may come to us at an unexpected moment, sometimes even in an insistent or troubling way, knocking at our door in the middle of the night. Yet despite the hour, the circumstances, or our tiredness, this friend still has to be welcomed, served, and treated with love.

How much more then should we consider our Heavenly Father, who watches over us, who loves us, and who perfectly knows what we need. Yet in His wisdom, God desires to keep this living relationship with His children: a relationship that is close, constant, and filled with trust and dependence upon Him.

Teaching

Reading of the context of the passage “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” Luke 11:1-4 (ESV)

Already from the very beginning of the passage, we can see the importance of prayer, because Jesus Himself was praying. Yet He was praying in a place that is not mentioned, which also shows us that we ourselves can pray in any place or situation. The Heavenly Father is attentive and listening in every place and in every circumstance.

Then His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist also taught his own disciples. First of all, this shows that the disciples desired to grow spiritually; they wanted to understand what Jesus, their Master, was saying and doing.

Secondly, this reveals a continuity in the ministry of John the Baptist, who was preparing the heavenly way, while Jesus opens the way of the Kingdom of Heaven, bringing to His disciples access and direct communion with the Father, and by extension to us, His Church today.

Then Jesus gives them this prayer that everyone knows, which is also found in the Gospel of Matthew, the prayer that becomes the lasting pattern of prayer by excellence, the one that covers every aspect of the Christian life: the glorification of the Father, the will of the Father, the generosity of the Father, the mercy of the Father, the character of the Father, and the providence of the Father.

This introduction will help us better understand the parable studied today, showing us that prayer is not something occasional, but rather a daily habit, a dependent and intentional communion with our Heavenly Father concerning all things.

Reading of the parable “And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” Luke 11:5-8 (ESV)

Jesus now speaks through the parable in order to teach them this heavenly reality through a simple and understandable example, speaking to hearts prepared to receive His teaching.

When Jesus uses the example of a friend, this immediately speaks to them directly, because within their own relationship, having left everything behind to follow their Master, the disciples understood that Jesus was also their friend, the One who desired their good and taught them with a wisdom that came from heaven. Within Jewish tradition, closeness and friendship were extremely important; this communal life stood at the center of their culture.

Therefore, when this friend arrived unexpectedly, it was customary to show great hospitality, especially after a journey, because this traveler was likely tired and without resources. Yet despite this, when the man asked another friend to help him in order to welcome his guest properly, he asked not for one loaf, but for three loaves. What a demonstration of generosity, because he himself desired to care for his friend in a worthy manner.

The response he received when asking for help was certainly not what he expected. He was met with refusal, not even being offered the opening of the door, while excuses were being made in order to avoid helping him. Yet there is here an element of great importance for understanding how the Father responds to our prayers.

Through his insistence and perseverance, this man finally caused his friend to rise and help him. He yielded, not because he truly desired to help, but because he wanted to free himself from this continual persistence.

But now Jesus enters into the heart of the matter and explains that God the Father is not like this so-called friend, who was thinking about his own comfort and personal interests, and who, despite the immediate need of his friend, helped only reluctantly and without love.

On the contrary, as Jesus says to His disciples at the beginning of the passage, the Heavenly Father desires that His children come unto Him and ask of Him with confidence, in order to maintain this filial relationship through sincere prayers.

And like a good, loving, and merciful Father, He will grant unto the one who prays to Him, according to His will and His sovereignty, that which is good and right.

Reading of the application of the parable “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ” Luke 11:9-12 (ESV)

“And I tell you” emphasizes His authority, the authority that He came to reveal, the authority of the Kingdom of God which came to bring the concrete application of His law, the very reality that would live in them and that lives in us today through His Holy Spirit.

“Ask, and it will be given to you.” Yes, the requests that the disciples were to bring before the Father, as well as the requests that we ourselves bring today, are not requests meant to satisfy our fleshly desires, but rather those that nourish our spirit through this dependence upon God. Within this dependence there is also a true and active faith at work, a faith that rests entirely upon the Heavenly Father and not upon our own reasoning, emotions, or experiences.

This spiritual wisdom is one of the fruits of the Spirit who dwells within us, the One who shows that we have surrendered all things at the cross, that we have died and risen with Christ, and that everything we do must be directed, not by our own will, but by the will of the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Seek, and you will find” requires even more on their part, because when Jesus speaks of seeking, He speaks of seeking that which is from Him and through Him, what God has done, is doing, and will do throughout the Scriptures. This already existed alongside Jewish tradition, but it also remains today within our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. We pray and we read the Word of God; and through this, we are able to find what we are seeking, namely wisdom, direction, and above all, the will of God.

“Knock, and it will be opened to you” gives even greater weight to what prayer may produce as a direct consequence within our relationship with the Father. There is here an engaged, persevering, and almost insistent action. The door of heaven opens according to the holy will of the Father if we are aligned with His Word, if we obey Him, if all of this gives glory unto God, and if His Word confirms these things.

Jesus then speaks to His disciples through a comparison between an earthly father, through whom they were conceived, raised, and instructed, and the Heavenly Father, through whom all things were created and through whom Jesus came to reveal Himself.

Through this simple and practical example, the disciples certainly understood the parallel between these two fathers. One may be good, yet still remains limited by his nature, his actions, and his abilities. Yes, at times we may think that our parents gave us what was best for us, and this in itself may already be a great blessing.

Nevertheless, the Heavenly Father gives far beyond what any human being can offer: eternal life, love, joy, peace, and a true purpose in life.

And all of this so that we ourselves may become living witnesses of the grace of God through the perfect and complete work of Jesus Christ.

Reading of the explanation of the parable “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!” Luke 11:13 (ESV)

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 (ESV)

These two parallel passages from the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew reveal the same central truth concerning prayer and the goodness of God: if earthly parents, despite their imperfect nature, know how to give good things to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give perfectly unto those who come to Him in faith.

Matthew speaks about “good things” in a general way, showing that God cares for the daily needs of His children, while Luke places the emphasis upon the greatest gift of all: the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God within the life of the believer.

These two texts do not contradict one another, but rather complete one another, because the Holy Spirit is the supreme gift in whom all other blessings find their source. This teaches us that God is neither distant nor unwilling, but generous by nature, always giving what is good, in His perfect timing, according to His will and His perfect sovereignty.

But then, why is the guidance of the Holy Spirit essential each day?

- Because He gives direction for our decisions: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Rom. 8:14

- Because He gives us power against sin: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16

- Because He produces within us a character that becomes more like Christ — « But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control » Gal. 5:22-23

- Because He gives us assurance in prayer: “The Spirit himself intercedes for us.” Rom. 8:26

- Because He gives us boldness in our witness to the ends of the earth: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Ac. 1:8

Therefore, we are called to pray with confidence, perseverance, and dependence, seeking above all God Himself and His Spirit, while also living in a generosity that reflects the heart of the Father.

Conclusion

Through this parable, Jesus teaches us that prayer is not simply a religious habit, but a living relationship with our Heavenly Father.

God is not like this tired friend who was disturbed by the requests of his neighbor, nor like an earthly father limited by human weakness. On the contrary, He is a good, loving, merciful, and faithful Father, desiring that His children continually come unto Him with confidence, perseverance, and faith.

And even greater than earthly blessings, the greatest gift that God gives to those who sincerely seek Him is the Holy Spirit, the One who dwells within us, guides us, sanctifies us, strengthens us, and brings us each day closer to the likeness of Christ.

Therefore, may our prayer life not be occasional or superficial, but deep, constant, dependent upon God, persevering, and at times even insistent, so that our entire lives may bring glory to the Father through Jesus Christ.