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Avoiding an Overly Simplistic Mindset

Text: Matthew 7: 7- 11

We now have more than one teaching on the subject of prayer. How do we balance this teaching against “The Lord’s Prayer”? In the latter we appear to have a rather lofty and complex model for prayer. In the former we seem to have a simpler approach.

We have to guard ourselves against having an overly simplistic understanding of prayer. It is altogether too tempting for some to choose one teaching above another! Some base their understanding on prayer on this text and ignore other teachings of Jesus. If we were to end up choosing one text above another, chances are that we have already misunderstood the overall emphasis of Jesus concerning prayer. It is impossible for Jesus to give contradictory teachings on any subject, particularly prayer. What we would need is to try and build a proper theological appreciation of the subject of prayer.

MANY TEXTS, MANY ASPECTS

There are reasons why there are different texts on the subject of prayer, or for that matter on any other given subject. The challenge for the reader is to figure out how the different texts are to be understood when studied together. No text must be understood in isolation. There are many texts, because there were different emphases. Each text adds to the meaning and value of the whole doctrine taught. We have a number of topics that Jesus taught and recorded in different texts.

1. The subject of suffering

a) As recorded in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:10-12).

b) As part of the word given to all would-be disciples (Matthew 10:24-42).

c) As part of His own personal understanding of Messianic suffering (Matthew 16:21).

2. The subject of prayer

a) As exemplified in the life of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).

b) As recorded in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13; 7:7-11).

c) As encouraged by Jesus before He entered into the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).

When different texts are written, great attention must be paid to each particular text. The differences of emphases, if any, must be noted. The similarities must not be taken for granted, but must also be observed carefully and appreciated in greater depth.

FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS

As the disciples listened to Jesus expound prayer in the model of “The Lord’s Prayer”, many must have been astounded by the elegance of that pattern presented. The lines were simple enough and yet there was no mistaking the splendour and profundity to be found in The Lord’s Prayer.

Could prayer be understood in an even simpler level? What about those who are just learning how to pray? How would they commence praying? We may think of this text as a good and practical starting place for all who are just learning how to pray.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and
you will find; knock, and it will be opened
to you. for everyone who asks receives, and
he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks,
it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8

What a gentle Teacher, Jesus was. What a gracious introduction to prayer this text offers. Was Jesus overstating things in this text? Could someone misunderstand and misinterpret what He meant?

Any teaching of Jesus could be misunderstood and misapplied. What we must emphasize is that the reader must assume responsibility in the interpretation of what Jesus taught. He must not hold Jesus responsible for what he personally interprets.

AVOIDING THE PITFALL OF MISINTERPRETING SCRIPTURE

To the unwise and unlearned, this precious teaching of Jesus could be grossly misunderstood and misapplied! This text could be read as a carte blanche, almost like a blank cheque that one could present to the bank of heaven.

Yet, on deeper thought, we must admit that Jesus couldn’t have meant that! How could He on the one hand teach the profound Lord’s Prayer only to cause people to set it aside by giving a simpler formula for prayer?

How may we avoid pitfalls in misinterpreting this and other texts of Scripture? Here are some guidelines. We highlight just four here.

1. The more comprehensive text

Where there is a larger or more comprehensive text in existence, we must first seek to fathom the teachings contained therein.

2. The smaller text

When we come to a smaller text, we must seek to fathom that in the light of the larger and more comprehensive text.

3. No text to be interpreted in violation of the teaching of another

This principle must be borne in mind at all times. The principle of perfect harmony must be observed most diligently. A careful study of the different texts would yield symmetry rather than disharmony or worse violation.

4. Beautiful nuances

Each text offers a beautiful nuance to existing texts. Just as there are many hues in a rainbow, so we have many different texts given to us so that we might appreciate the beauty of the teachings of Jesus.