Over the last few weeks we’ve been watching and listening as Jesus teaches us how to pray. Our focal Scripture passage for our Sunday messages has been Luke 11:1-4 where we discover the shorter version of the ‘Lord’s Prayer.’ Whereas the prayer as found in Matthew 6 contains seven requests, the prayer as preserved by Luke contains just five.

Of course, we have noted that what we have here are two separate occasions where Jesus taught about prayer. Variation of this kind would be expected, and would naturally be related to differences in the setting and the audience.

But these differences notwithstanding, we note that both versions of this beloved prayer agree on the first petition: “Hallowed be Your name” (Luke 11:2; Mathew 6:9). While it’s true this word “hallowed” is not one we use today, we do employ the world ‘sanctify,’ and this is the essential idea inherent in the term that Jesus used in His prayer.

To get at the meaning of this request we will need to travel back in time, further still, to the days of Moses and Aaron. In Numbers 20:1-13 we find the Old Testament background of the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer, and it is not a pretty picture at all. This chapter sets forth one of the darkest days in the history of the covenant people. Yet, it will prove most instructive in grasping what our Lord Jesus was teaching us about prayer in Luke 11.

As you prepare for worship this Sunday, be sure to read Numbers 20:1-13 as you reflect upon Luke 11:2.
I hope to see you all as we gather this week before our great Lord and Savior!