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PER225
The parable of the persistent friend
The parable of the importunate friend (Luke 11.5-13), unique to the Gospel of Luke, follows the teaching of the Our Father. In it, Jesus teaches perseverance in prayer: if a friend finally gives in to insistence, how much more generously will God give to those who pray to him in faith, even offering the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Matthew 7.7-11 (King James Version) :Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER239
The Parable of the Tower
The parable of the tower (Luke 14.28-30), transmitted only by Luke, is part of a discourse of Jesus on the cost of discipleship. Through the image of a builder who calculates his resources before building, Jesus invites his disciples to a considered, clear-sighted and persevering commitment, warning against a superficial or emotional faith without spiritual maturity.
Luke 14.28 (King James Version) :For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org