For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:8 WEB
In chapter five through seven of Matthew’s gospel account, Jesus gives his famous Sermon on the Mount. This scripture is a portion of that sermon. From versus seven through fourteen of chapter seven, Matthew records Jesus’ description of God as our generous Father. He teaches the truth of God’s eagerness to give good gifts to those who seek him and ask.
The previous verse is a command given by Christ who says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. WEB” These words help us to understand that God wants us to seek him and to enter into his presence. God wants us to ask him to provide for our needs. He desires to be the source of our comfort.
Seek First God’s Kingdom
Concerning our needs, Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. WEB” When Jesus says, “He who seeks finds,” he directs us to the narrow gate that is the way to access God. Seeking God, we find the door to our heavenly Father that is his Son and our Savior, Jesus Chrsit.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How the gate is narrow and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. WEB” Further, Jesus teaches in John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture. WEB”
Jesus Is the Way
When we knock on the door, we are like the prodigal son turning from our sin and returning home to our Father. In order to be in our Father’s presence, we must have the righteousness of Christ gifted to us by the grace of God. In other words, it is because of repentance and Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin that we are forgiven of our transgressions and accepted as children of God and joint heirs in the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. WEB”
King David wrote in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. WEB” Creation itself is clear and compelling evidence of the existence of our Creator. Given this evidence, as Christ says, “He who seeks finds.“ As the prophet Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 29:13, “You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. WEB”
The Golden Rule
Those who want God in their lives will find our heavenly Father delighting in his children, giving the good things of God to all who ask. For sinners like you and me, it is important to note that God answers the prayers of the righteous. That is why we need to repent from sin. We need the forgiveness found in Christ to enter into his presence. As we read in Proverbs 15:29, “The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. KJV”
As Jesus taught that he who seeks finds, he also directed his listeners to do the will of God. Further into this sermon, Christ says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. WEB” Similarly, Jesus follows his command to ask, seek, and knock with the “Golden Rule” from Matthew 7:12 as he said, “Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth of your holy scripture. Thank you for the encouragement of Jesus’ words, “he who seeks finds.” I desire to be in your presence with all my heart. Lead me away from temptation and sin. Guide me with your word to live by your will. Lavish me with your love so that I might share it with the world. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Exceedingly Abundantly Above
