Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight🌙
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A captivating story from Jesus about a surprising visit from a friend visiting at midnight. in the middle of the night. Discover how a friend's bold request teaches us about God's love and generosity. Perfect for children 3 and up.
Read Parable of the persistent widow
The Friend At Midnight Scriptures CSB Luke 11: 5-8
He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
“because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’
“Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’
“I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Jesus Began The Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight 🌙
Hello, my dear children! Gather around me and listen. I want to tell you a story about a man we'll call Ezra. He lived in a little house with his wife and children. Their house was very small, with just one room where everyone slept together on mats on the floor.
One evening, after the sun had set and the cool air of the Judean hills settled in, Ezra and his family finished their evening meal. The day’s work was done. Ezra had spent the day tending to his small garden, pulling weeds, and watering the dusty soil. As the stars began to twinkle in the dark sky, his family prepared for bed. They closed the heavy wooden door, bolted it tight, and lay down to sleep. All the village was quiet.
Ezra heard someone knocking at the door at midnight
Suddenly, knock, knock, knock! on the door! The sound was loud and unexpected. Who could it be? Ezra stirred. He listened. The knocking came again, more urgent this time. "Ezra, my friend, it's me, Samuel!" a voice called from outside.
Ezra’s heart sank a little. He knew what a midnight visitor meant. In our land, hospitality is a very big deal. When a traveler arrives, even in the middle of the night, you must give them food and a place to rest. But Ezra had nothing to give! He had prepared just enough bread for his own family for the day. And the village oven, where all the women baked their bread, was now cold.
"Don't bother me!" Ezra called out from inside. "The door is locked, and my children and I are in bed! I can't get up to give you anything." It was true. Getting up would wake the whole family. The door was a heavy slab of wood, and the children were all cuddled close to him.
Ezra's friend needed bread to borrow
But Samuel wasn't asking for himself. "Friend," he pleaded, "I have a traveler visiting me who has just arrived from a long journey, and I have no food to offer him. Please, lend me three loaves of bread!"
Why did Samuel come in the middle of the night? Because a traveler had arrived! A traveler's journey was long and dusty. People would often travel in the coolness of the night to avoid the hot desert sun. This traveler came unexpectedly, and Samuel, who was a good host, had nothing to give him.
Now, imagine this: Ezra is inside, cozy and warm. Samuel is outside, pleading. What will Ezra do? His friend is being very bold and persistent. He won't give up! He keeps asking, and asking, and asking. He is not afraid to ask for help, even though it is late.
I tell you, even though Ezra might not want to get up just because Samuel is his friend, he will get up! Why? Because his friend was so persistent to ask for bread at midnight! He will get up and give Samuel all the bread he needs. He will do it because of his friend’s persistence.
So, what does this story teach us? Just like that friend who kept knocking, we should never stop asking God for what we need. That is, according to His will.
Moreover, we do not need to pray at special times. We can talk to God at any time about our problems. God is a good Father and will answer our prayers if it is His good will to do so.
Read the parable of the persistent widow to understand more about how we should never give up praying about our problems.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the door locked with the children inside?
A: Houses in ancient Israel often had just one room. Families, including children and sometimes even animals, slept together for warmth and safety. Locking the door meant the whole family was settled for the night, making it difficult to get up without waking everyone.
Q2: Why was hospitality so important?
A: In a land with few inns, showing hospitality to travelers was a sacred duty. People believed that welcoming a stranger was a way of honoring God. It was a core part of their social and religious life.
Conclusion
My dear children, this story has a message for you. Just like the man in the story gave bread because his friend was so persistent, you must never give up praying to your heavenly Father when you have problems.
When you pray, you can be tell God what you need Him to do for you. He loves you and delights in giving you good things that you need according to His will. 🙏
References
Borowski, O. (2002). Daily life in biblical times. Society of Biblical Literature.
Luke 11:5-8 (Christian Standard Bible).
Matthews, V. H. (2009). Manners and customs in the Bible: An illustrated guide to daily life in biblical times. Hendrickson Publishers.
Wright, C. J. H. (2004). Old Testament ethics for the people of God. IVP Academic.
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