Bread at Midnight

                Jesus tells a parable about man who went to bed. The man closed up the house, locked the door, and tucked the children in bed. All was peaceful. Lights were off, curtains were drawn, even the dog was asleep.

                By the time midnight came, the man was deep in sleep.

                Until a pounding came at the front door.

                And like anyone who is in those first few hours of deep sleep, it took a moment for the man to realize what that obnoxious sound was.

                First there is the starting jerk—the moment when the pounding begins.               Then there’s the confusion: What is that noise? As reality dawns, “Someone’s at my door,” so does the co-reality, “It is after midnight.”

                “Go away!” the man yelled. “Leave me alone!”

                “It’s me!” called a familiar voice. “Open up!”

                “You can’t be serious!” the man yelled back, recognizing his friend’s voice. “Go away and come back tomorrow!”

                But his friend kept pounding.

                “But I need you now!” the friend yelled through the door. “I had visitors show up at my house, and I’m all out of bread! I knew you’d have enough to share, so I’m here to borrow some bread.”

                And he continued to pound on the door.

                So the man got up. With a significant grunt of irritation, he heaved himself out of bed. He put on his slippers, he threw his robe around his shoulders. He wiped the blear out of his eyes. He shuffled into the kitchen, collected the three loaves, shuffled to the front door, unlocked the door, lifted the latch, and gave his friend what he asked for.

                This happens, Jesus tells us, not because this man is his friend. This happens, Jesus tells us, because of the friend’s persistence. His unceasing, rather…annoying…persistence. His shameless, impudent, boldness! His BOLD SHAMELESSNESS.

                Often I do not persist in prayer because I figure, “God knows. God knows what I need; God knows what I want.” But here Jesus presents us with a picture of a God who, so much more than this begrudging friend, will bend to hear our persistence. He is a God who is responsive to us. He is a God who invites our initiative. He is a God who welcomes our boldness in asking for audacious prayers at audacious times. He is God who welcomes big asks. He is a God who notices when we persist in begging. So we ask for bread at midnight. Because he is a God who is moved by his people.

                Keep on asking and it will be given to you. Keep on seeking and you will find it. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.