Knock, Knock—Who’s There?
Today I read Luke 11, and one section caught my attention: the parable of the friend who comes knocking at midnight (Luke 11:5–10, NLT). In the story, a man goes to his neighbor late at night, asking for bread to feed an unexpected guest. At first, the neighbor resists, saying his family is already in bed. But Jesus explains that even if friendship alone isn’t enough to get the neighbor out of bed, persistence will be. He concludes: “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9, NLT).
Why Persistence Packs a Punch
I find myself curious about this emphasis on persistence. Why does persistence matter so much? If the neighbor was unwilling at first, what changed? It seems that persistence creates a kind of pressure, a reminder that the request won’t disappear until it’s addressed. In ordinary life, this is something most of us recognize—whether it’s a child asking repeatedly for something, or an employee pressing a manager for resources. Persistence wears down resistance.
Bread, Not Luxury
But there’s also a difference between nagging and genuine perseverance. The man at the door wasn’t asking for luxury; he was asking for bread to show hospitality. His persistence was tied to a real need. That makes me think about the kinds of things people persist in. Sometimes, we keep pushing for things that may not truly matter, while other times we give up too quickly on the things that do.
There’s also something here about timing. The request comes at midnight, an inconvenient hour. Many of our own needs—or the needs of others—show up at inconvenient times too. It’s not always easy to respond when we feel stretched or interrupted. Yet the story suggests that persistence eventually moves people to act, even when it’s inconvenient.
Keep Asking, Keep Knocking
Jesus’ words, “keep on asking… keep on seeking… keep on knocking,” read almost like encouragement to keep pushing forward when the outcome isn’t immediate. It makes me think about situations in life where persistence is the difference between doors staying shut and doors eventually opening: applying for jobs, building a relationship, or pursuing a creative project. Very often, success comes not at the first attempt but at the fifth or the tenth.
At the same time, the story raises another question: when is persistence wise, and when is it wasted energy? Not every door we knock on is the right one. Not every request is worth pursuing indefinitely. Knowing when to persist and when to let go is one of those human challenges that doesn’t come with a clear formula.
For me, this passage doesn’t read like a guarantee that persistence will always give us exactly what we want. Instead, it highlights the role persistence plays in shaping both outcomes and character. The process of keeping on—asking, seeking, knocking—can change us as much as it changes the response we eventually receive.