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Friend, how much more will the Father give the spirit?

Luke 11:10-13 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being 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!"

Luke gives this same teaching with a single addition which makes all the difference: rather than concluding with reference to good things, he says, "How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" While Matthew illustrates the extent of the Father's generosity, it is Luke who shows us the particular gift which the Father is most willing to bestow. Though good things come from the Father's hand, the greatest of these gifts He provides is not something one can possess but rather His own Presence.

The interpretation of the entire passage is now different. Although Yeshua (Jesus) is true to His promise to provide for our daily needs, when He says 'ask and it will be given' He is pointing his disciples towards something much greater—that is, the gift of the Spirit, who is living, moving, empowering, comforting and guiding from within. Bread only satisfies for one day; the Spirit satisfies eternally. Fish may feed the body; the Spirit feeds the soul and empowers it for the calling of God.

Consider the implications this has for prayer. It is very common for us to go to the Father requesting only those things that are visible—healing, provision, breakthroughs, open doors. It is right and proper to make such requests. However, Yeshua and Luke show that the Father's greatest wish is that you should have more of Himself. He is not merely a provider who stands at a distance and distributes gifts. Rather, He is a Father who desires to fill His children with His Spirit, so that His wisdom may become your wisdom, His strength may become your strength, and His comfort may become your comfort.

That is the reason why being invited to ask, to seek, and to knock involves more than just changes in circumstances; it is an invitation to intimacy. The Father does not merely solve your problems from a distance; He draws you nearer to Himself in each prayer, in each season of seeking, and in every instance when you refuse to stop knocking. And what lies on the other side of that door is not merely an answer, but His own Presence poured out in greater measure.

Since earthly fathers, who are flawed and imperfect, know how to give their children good gifts, much more does the perfect Father rejoice in pouring His Spirit into His children when they ask. He is not a God who reluctantly distributes blessings; rather, He is a Father who leans forward and is eager to give His very best gift—to Himself—to anyone who merely asks.

Ashrei, blessed is the one who walks in this way, asking not only for provision but for the Presence of God Himself. Blessed is the one seeking the Spirit above every earthly gift, and knocking until the fullness of heaven is poured into his life. That is the calling. Not to settle for good things alone, but to receive the best gift the Father has, His own Spirit, given freely to everyone who asks.

Friend, when you pray today, do not only ask for what you can see. Ask for more of the Spirit. Ask for a fresh filling, a fresh fire, a fresh sensitivity to His voice. Seek Him, not only His hand but His face. Knock, not only for open doors in your circumstances but for greater intimacy in your walk with Him.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George & Baht Rivka (Baltimore, Maryland)

Editor's Note: For the first week, we’re discounting The Eternal Kingdom Revealed to help get the book into as many hands as possible. My hope is that people will begin reading, share their thoughts, and leave honest reviews so others can discover the message of the Kingdom as well. If you’ve been thinking about getting a copy, this is a great time to pick one up. Available now on Amazon at a special first-week price.