(This is the third installment in a series about the parable of the prodigal son. Here are the links to the first and second posts.)
In The Return of the Pink Panther, Inspector Jacques Clouseau (played by Peter Sellers) bumbles into the lobby of a Swiss hotel where a well-dressed gentleman greets him. “May I take your coat?” the man inquires. Supposing him to be a bellboy or concierge, Clouseau thanks him while handing him the garment. “Your gloves?” “Of course,” the inspector replies. “And your hat?” “Hmph.” The man then exits the hotel, climbs into a convertible, and drives off. Confused and clueless, Clouseau ponders what transpired before abandoning the incident and attempting to check in.
It pays to ask!
Jesus emphasizes this spiritual principle in the last section of the parable of the prodigal son:
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” – Luke 15:25-32
What’s the problem? The older brother was jealous; he resented his dad celebrating the return of the rebel while overlooking the responsible one.
The son accused the father: “you never gave me a party. Never.”
Why didn’t he?
Was the father distant? No. He reminded his son, “you’re always with me.”
Was the dad stingy? No. He declared, “all I have is yours.”
So what prevented the older brother from getting his own party?
He never asked.
“You do not have because you do not ask God.” – James 4:2
Jesus assures His followers that God blesses those who petition Him.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If 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!” – Matthew 7:7-11
What keeps you from asking? Fear, doubt, pride? All these contribute to the problem, but there’s another possibility.
Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck asserts that laziness is the original sin of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:1-7 recounts God warning them not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they’d die. But the serpent contradicted God, insisting that Eve and her husband would flourish with divine insight. Which version of the future should this naive couple choose to believe?
Why not ask God?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
Had they approached the Lord about their confusion, He would have welcomed them. Had sought His opinion, He would have granted it. Adam and Eve would have learned both what to do and why they should do it. They would have received the very wisdom that the serpent had promised them.
Consider King Solomon.
“That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.’” – 2 Chronicles 1:7
How did the newly-installed ruler of Israel reply?
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” – 2 Chronicles 1:10
And how did God react to Solomon’s request? With joy and generosity!
“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, 12therefore 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.’” – 2 Chronicles 1:11-12
God honored Solomon’s prayer by giving him what he asked for. But He exceeded his prayer by giving him what he didn’t ask for. The Lord went above and beyond the king’s request.
There’s power in asking because God is mighty and benevolent.
Jesus wants you to know that the Father will listen to you. He will answer your prayers. You don’t have to keep your desires bottled up inside your heart. Don’t deprive yourself; share your requests with the Lord and you will discover how kind and capable He is.
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