Any time there is a question formed in our mouths we are asking for something. “Ask” is a simple word that has the potential, depending on what is being asked, to have life changing implications. Asking is a topic that Jesus frequently addresses. For example…
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)
“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
These verses show us that there are consequences to our asking. In Matthew 7:7 says, if we ask “it will be given”. In Matthew 21:22 if we ask “we will receive”. In Mark 11:24 if we ask “it will be yours”. The beautiful thing about consequences in the Kingdom is that they are good! Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life (see John 14:6) and when we choose to live our lives according to His ways those ways produce consequences in our lives, again, the good kind of consequences.
Types Of Asking
According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary there are two types of asking…first, “to call on for an answer” and second, “to make a request of”. To call on for an answer is simply asking for information. On the other hand, when we make a request of someone there is a deeper level of vulnerability required…asking for a raise, asking for help, asking for money, asking for a promotion, or asking someone out. These examples of asking require a higher level of risk, thus are more vulnerable, than asking someone where they want to eat lunch. Both types of asking imply that we need something, but “making a request” is when our hearts get involved.
Jesus Asks For All Of Us
When Jesus tells us to ask He’s inviting us to share our hearts with Him. He paid a high price to have a relationship with us and He doesn’t want it to be one-sided. He had a one-sided relationship with us before He went to the cross. His love for us and towards us has never changed, but He longed for the connection that was broken through sin. Jesus wants to know us on a heart level. He wants us to risk being vulnerable with Him and ask for our wants, needs and desires. He is waiting and wanting to come through for us!
Allow His words, or word rather, to resound in your heart…
Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask!
…and it will be given!
