There is so much intentional design in the teachings of Jesus, even down to the literary style. When we study and analyze Jesus’ words, it enriches our understanding of the parables. Parables use images and metaphors unique to the biblical period and employ poetic form and symmetry structures that make them poignant to hear and retain. Even today, when we read them, we can identify the artful design in the language. Let me give you an example.
Luke 11:9-10
Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives
the one who seeks finds
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Notice in verse 9 the words ask, seek, and knock all find their place at the beginning of the thought, followed by the pronoun you, which is in the plural form identifying the subject of the expressed idea as more than one person. It’s as if Jesus is saying:
Ask, and it will be given to ya’ll.
seek, and ya’ll will find;
knock, and the door will be opened for ya’ll.
Now notice in verse 10 the words ask, seek, and knock has switched places with the subject, and the subject has changed from a plural pronoun to a more pointed singular form identifying the subject of the expressed idea as one individual person. It’s as if Jesus is saying,
Each individual person who asks will receive;
Each individual person who seeks will find
Each individual person who knocks, the door will be opened.
A more detailed analysis of this passage helps us see that the invitation is open for everyone to ask, seek, and knock, but it is up to each individual person to respond. It is your personal responsibility to ask, seek, and knock.
What a blessing to understand this and think about how I don’t have to depend on you and you don’t have to depend on me to respond to Jesus. The invitation is open to everyone, but the response is up to me!
I love you,
Alex