Matthew 7:9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
I find it interesting that in today’s scripture, I automatically zero in on verse 11 and the word evil. It gets my hackles up. Evil?!? I am *not* evil!!! How dare Jesus call me evil?!?!? And, yes, as you would imagine, that “How dare Jesus…?” stopped me in my tracks. I’m not evil. I’m not the devil incarnate, but I’m certainly not Jesus. And that’s His point.
Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
I *am* a parent. I *do* love my children fiercely. I want to give them good things in life, a leg up, a firm foundation. All of these things are true. AND I’m a hot mess. So if *my* intentions and motives are this positive with all of *my* flaws, “how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” That is Jesus’s point.
Matthew 7:11 If 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!
Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce love of Your children. Thank You for Your willingness to get my hackles up to get my attention and drive home Your point. Thank You for using an analogy that I understand on a gut level. We are Your children. You love us unconditionally. You want to give us good things. All we have to do is ask. Thank You. Amen.
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Have a blessed day.