Read Luke 12:13-21

The text begins:  “Someone in the crowd….”  The crowd is a mixture of persons who know Jesus, who heard about Jesus, who are curious about Jesus, who love Jesus; persons that are player-haters of Jesus, and who want to trap Jesus and his teachings. In verse one of this chapter, the writer infers this as an unruly crowd; the crowd that was pushing, shoving, and trampling on one another. Perhaps, some in the crowd heard about him, his power, his influence, and his advocacy.  This perception compelled that person to call out to him by saying, “Teacher.”  He asked Jesus to mediate over the family inheritance (the estate) between him and his brother. The benefactor of the inheritance was a male because during that era, only males directly, and particular the first born male, inherited the family fortune or assets.

If the family had daughters, then the daughters would marry a family member of the tribe in which the male spouse would then keep the fortune within the family. But, as we move in this scripture passage, let’s not just look at the brother who requested division of the family heritance, the other brother will be checked, too.  As mentioned earlier, generally and traditionally, the first born male would receive a double portion of blessings by inheriting the family estate. Apparently, there are at least two brothers – maybe more – but the text does not say!  However, the request is that the inheritance – land, real estate property, investments, livestock, vineyard, jewels, businesses, and vacation homes.  Whatever the family possessed, the brother wanted the inheritance to be with him.  Why did he make that request?

In Luke 11, Jesus taught the formula for prayer which is A+S+K=PRAYER. Prayer is communication with God!  It could be a request, praise and/or thanksgiving. However, if it is a petition, we must follow the formula A for ask; S for seek; and K for knock. Each phase is very significant and requires reflection, discernment, and insight prior to moving on to the next phase.

First, you need to know for what you are asking and if what you are asking is what you need.  Second, you need to seek in your heart, mind, and spirit, what you might be doing or not doing that will hinder your receiving the answer to your prayer.  Then, you need to seek guidance with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Third, with knowledge, wisdom, discernment, you can knock at the door to see and move on to receive your answer. Again, it is emphasized that these three phases must be taken in order to be able to hear and be receptive of the answer to your prayer. If not, your answer will not be fulfilled in accordance with your needs and the will of God.

Be careful what you pray for!    Further reading in this chapter of Book III, will give you more second and third insights.

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