Why Knock?
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matt. 7:9)
This reassuring verse encourages us to give our needs and cares to the Lord, trusting Him to provide for us. However, it’s familiar enough that, even as we gain reassurance that our God cares for us and will answer our requests, we tend to read it without much thought.
A closer look reveals that in this well-known verse, Jesus gave us the key to abundant life.
As we move from asking to knocking, the verbs become more focused, more intentional, and more intimate.
Asking is the more casual of the three. Asking is a request in passing. We desire something so we ask.
Many verses in the Bible speak on asking. We’re told in Matthew 21:22 that if we believe, we will receive whatever things we ask in prayer.
A balancing truth is found in James 4:3, where we learn that we sometimes don’t receive because we ask amiss, that we “may spend it on our own pleasures.”
Seeking is more purposeful and focused. It’s more intentional and implies an ongoing search. It usually involves a more important, valuable, or more needful pursuit.
Jesus told a crowd who was following Him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (Jn. 6:26-27)
Jesus’ words reveal that we also sometimes seek with the self-centered motives, but seeking is more than asking. Seeking involves effort, or laboring, and we should seek things that have eternal value rather than focusing on temporal desires.
We are to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), and “things which are above, where Christ is” (Col. 3:1). Furthermore, if we seek the Lord, we will “not lack any good thing” (Ps. 34:10).
Seeking involves a life-focus that determines our goals and direction in life. Scripture encourages us to seek the Lord, His kingdom and His righteousness.
Knocking implies seeking a person and has the potential of fellowship, even intimacy. We knock with an expectation of greeting someone, of being invited in, and often with the hope of fellowship.
Knocking is also mentioned in Revelation 3:20-21 where Jesus knocks on our door to dine with us. He knocks for the purpose of intimate fellowship. And more. He desires that we sit with him on the throne, reigning with Him as He sits with His Father!
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:20-22).
Knocking is a picture of us desiring, and making time (priority) for fellowship, for pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus.
In Jesus’ final minutes with His disciples He prayed to His Father. In the prayer, He painted a picture of being so close, so intimate, that we will be one with Him and perfect in Him–even as He is one with His Father. He wants to be so close with Him that we will behold his glory and will be confident in His love (Jn. 17:20-26).
If we ask, we will receive–if we aren’t asking for our pleasures. If we seek, we will find–especially if we are seeking eternal things. If we knock, we can know our Lord intimately and will be one with Him.
God desires the intimate fellowship of friends sharing life across the table. He wants to be best friends with you and with me. He’s standing at the door knocking—even before we knock.
Are you content with an asking relationship, or are you available to be an intimate friend?
Will you open the door to when Jesus knocks? Indeed, will you reach out and knock on His door to gain true, abundant life of intimate fellowship?
“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me” (Prov. 8:17). “You who seek God, your hearts shall live” (Ps. 69:32).