Ask. Seek. Knock.

One night, Jesus prayed through the night to discern which of His disciples would be the first of His apostles (Luke 6:12-16). He trained them to lead the ekklesia that He told them He was building. He prophesied over them that they would each rule over a tribe of Israel in His Kingdom. Even Judas.

On the night before his death, though, He prophesied that they would all fail. Their failures would not just be at leadership; they would not even be able to follow.

He had told them (Matthew 16:24-28) that they would have to deny themselves if they were going to follow Him. On the night Judas left the Passover meal to betray Him, He told the rest of the apostles that they would all stumble and fail that night. Peter promised, “I won’t stumble! Even if all the rest of these stumble, I won’t! Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” The rest of the apostles said the same thing.

Jesus replied to Peter that he would deny Him 3 times before the night was over. Judas seemed to be following Jesus without ever experiencing His love. When he failed, he did not have the courage to ask Jesus to forgive him. Like the son who stayed home in the parable of the two sons (Luke 15:11-32), he did not perceive his father’s blessing or his love.

The others were still alive 50 days later on the day of Pentecost, though (Acts 2). They were filled with the Spirit of Jesus and became leaders. They were filled again not long after (Acts 4). We need that same Spirit to succeed, both at following and leading.

Ask. Seek. Knock. Frequently.

“So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
(Luke 11:9-13 HCSB ©®)