I keep on looking at my watch/clock/phone at 11:11. You could argue that it happens twice per day, so there’s a decent chance of that happening, but I’d say it’s uncanny the number of times I happen to glance at a timepiece at that exact time. I’m not a massive numerologist, but from what I understand, 11:11 means “time for change.” Being in a season of transition last year, I assumed it referred to that, but the incidences have not decreased in the last few months since the transition was announced and happened.
A few weeks ago, at someone else’s suggestion, I looked at Matthew 11:11:
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That’s all. Jesus came to baptize us with power so that we could live free of sin and destroy all the works of the enemy, restoring God’s righteous order. Many Christians stop at John’s baptism, focusing on forgiveness and heaven, but Jesus’ baptism offers so much more.
Then this morning at 11:11, I felt prompted to look up Luke 11:11:
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?”
Jesus is talking about the Father in heaven giving us the good gifts we ask for, not inferior substitutes. He goes on to link this to the Father giving us the Holy Spirit:
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
Then John 11:11 says:
“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
Lazarus was a good man and a friend of Jesus, but he had fallen asleep—no longer able to fulfill his calling and purpose. Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, went to wake him up, resurrect him, and restore him to life, purpose, and calling.
By linking these passages together, I sense that Jesus is calling us all to recognize our need for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. It’s time for a spiritual awakening—to step into greater flourishing and effectiveness for God’s purposes. And just as Jesus taught in Luke 11:11, we can ask our heavenly Father for this with confidence, trusting He will answer and pour out His Spirit generously.
As we begin this week of prayer and fasting, let’s boldly ask Him for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit, confident that He is both able and willing.
