Tag Archives: truth

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 11:15-18

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Pastor Rick’s Translation: Mark 11:15-18 (PRT)

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

Study Notes:

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

The passage prior is the physical “parable” Jesus presented with the fig tree with plenty of show, but no fruit, and its subsequent removal from the fruit-bearing stage. This fig tree near Bethphage (“the place of the winter fig” is what its name means) showed all potential through its “profession” to have fruit, but with no performance. Jesus proclaims through his actions what the national order of Israel had adopted: many words, but no fruit.

Jesus then faces the display of this very loud and physical activity of “profession” without producing fruit in the Temple. As Jesus walked through the courtyard known as the “outer court” or the “Court of the Nations,” he saw a return to the cacophony of a marketplace that had supplanted the purpose of the court – a place of prayer for all nations.

And in the progression of walking through, he became zealous once more for the place which His Father designated for His purpose usurped by greed and evil. There were people peddling their wares at tables and booths where the holy act of seeking the Father’s will and presence should hold sway.

The money changers were there first to give a way for pilgrims to pay their share, but it  had to be in temple tender. The dove and animal traders maintained a spot where they would sit on a bench with animals and cages awaiting purchasers. Fraud and price gauging were common. Still, this is neither a condemnation of capitalism as some might hold, nor a judgment of churches who ask for a donated price for a coffee mug or t-shirt; it is a condemnation of a religious culture that has supplanted the purpose of God’s people and their worship and prayer with schemes that push God’s purposes to the margin.

On top of all this, the Court of the Nations had become a market short-cut for loads of supplies, goods, and animals. You can see and hear (and smell) the scene! The press, the noise, the odor of animals and the travelers replaced the scent of worship, the sweet sound of prayer, and the weighty presence of God’s glory.


Jesus had enough.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

And he shut down the corridors and pushed them to return to their normal paths of merchandise outside the courtyard.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

The temple is a place not “of” but “for” prayer for every tribe, language, culture, and geography; that God-fearers might seek the Father.

Instead, it has become a safe house for brigands, usurers, and gangsters in league with the cartel of priests, animal merchandisers, and money brokers.

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

The result is reinforced that Jesus has to go. This man, this single person, must be sacrificed for the good of the nation of Israel (e.g. the established money-making scheme and the status quo); hence the “prophecy” of the High Priest that “validated” Jesus’ murder.

Because the people hung on Jesus words, the religious ruling class was cautious in proceeding in the plot to kill Jesus. The words mean a continuous action of plotting and conniving and watching in order to accomplish what was in their hearts.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 10:13-16

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Mark 10:13-16 (PRT)

v. 13 And they brought little children to Jesus so that he might hold them; however, the disciples blocked them.

v. 14 Then they saw that Jesus was deeply displeased, and he said to them, “Make it easy for the little children to come to me; don’t stand in their way, for the Kingdom of God is here for people just like this.

v. 15 “I say to you, in all truth, whoever does not embrace the Kingdom of God as a little child will not step foot inside the Kingdom.”

v. 16 And after embracing the children and placing his hands on them, he celebrated them with blessings.

Notes:

v. 13 And they brought little children to Jesus so that he might hold them; however, the disciples blocked them.

The wording seems to indicate that the mothers kept bringing in succession their babies to Jesus for a blessing. And the disciples saw this as an interruption. These are little toddlers and infants that would crawl into laps or need tender holding. Imagine Jesus down in the dirt playing with a toddler or cradling carefully the head of an infant whom the parents laid in his arms for a blessing.

The word for hold is the same for touch tenderly or lay hands on. It can be hold or lay hands upon. In fact, Matthew spells this out: Jesus placed his hands on each child and blessed him or her. It’s an interesting juxtaposition in this: the tradition is that mothers would seek out the synagogue or temple leaders for a blessing. The blessing would invoke the Father to “make the child famous in the Law, faithful in marriage, and abundant in good works.” Here, the word is  masculine, so at least some of the dads had turned to Jesus instead. And he blesses each with the Father’s love in similar ways. Would that the Gospel writers had included this blessing in the text!

v. 14 Then they saw that Jesus was deeply displeased, and he said to them, “Make it easy for the little children to come to me; don’t stand in their way, for the Kingdom of God is here for people just like this.

Keep in mind that, just a short time before, Jesus reminded the disciples of the importance of children in the Kingdom.  And here they are again in need of the reminder. In fact, in Mark 9, children and our ability, willingness, and level of faith is illustrated by how readily children were to trust Jesus (and receive him.)

In Mark 9, Jesus affirmed the value of a child and how receiving him or her in Jesus’ name is like embracing Jesus. In Mark 10, Jesus affirms the value of the simplicity of faith, the position of “yes-ness” and receptivity to the gift of grace through Jesus that children have. How excited a child gets when they are offered a gift! No push back or analysis. Just, yes.

A child is dependent, vulnerable, of no apparent value to the culture. Yet, Jesus embraces. We come needy, dependent, and bring nothing but our worst. It’s a simple faith.

Some translations say Jesus was “indignant” – a similar word to “not pleased” with a motivation to express it. He didn’t choose to “look displeased’ but acted on what stirred this inside him. But the disciples saw it!

The “Kingdom of God is here – the word “here” is derived from the “exist” or “to be” but in this case, is present, here, or belongs to the moment.

In this passage, Jesus is responding to the disciples who were considering the moms and the babies an “interruption.” But Jesus takes this teaching toward a universal principle. Not only should we make it easy for children to say yes to Jesus; but if we stand in the way, if we hinder them, we are culpable in their eternity. Parents live your lives in a way that your children are not just encouraged to say yes to Jesus but aren’t discouraged. Make your life count so that your children will look at you and want the faith you embraced, and not be blocked by a life that “stands in the way” of the Kingdom’s activity in their lives.

Jesus sees us with eyes of grace; but when we stray or miss the mark, He is displeased with the action or pattern. He loves unconditionally; but He longs for our spiritual growth and health.

Most translations use the term “such as these” – it means that we, and not just children, enter into the blessings of the Kingdom with a simple, spontaneous, trust in the person, nature, gift and presence of Jesus, unfazed by sophisticated paths. Simple and uncomplicated. It’s a surrender, just like a little child’s raised arms to the Father.

v. 15 “I say to you, in all truth, whoever does not embrace the Kingdom of God as a little child will not step foot inside the Kingdom.”

The word “embrace” here is to “take for oneself” or to “receive or welcome.”  Though it’s not the same word, I see it as a parallelism to the next verse. He teaches – “embrace the Kingdom in simplicity and trust;” then he demonstrates it and celebrates it with the children in his arms and the mothers who are waiting nearby.

Embrace is represented by a passive and accepting posture; step foot inside, or enter, represents the active posture. We receive and we enter into God’s grace and Kingdom.

Demonstrates the potential of a simple abandonment to faith for a lifetime. It’s a celebration of blessing.

v. 16 And after embracing the children and placing his hands on them, he celebrated them with blessings.

This became the illustration of his teaching. Get out of their way and encourage the children (and their parents) to come to me. And the rest of the day, moms and dads came to Jesus with their babies for blessings, prayer, and celebration.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 9:29-41

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(PRT) Pastor Rick’s Translation

v. 29  And Jesus explained to them, this sort leaves only by prayer. v. 30-31 They left from there and passed through Galilee; but he didn’t want anyone to know they were there, because he was teaching his disciples. He explained plainly to them: “The Son of Man will be delivered into the power of men who will kill him; but after he is put to death, he will rise to life. v. 32 But they did not comprehend this message, and were afraid to ask him about it. v. 33-34 And he arrived at the house in Capernaum, and Jesus asked them: “What were you arguing about on our way here?” But they had nothing to say about one another since, along the road, they had been debating who out of all of them was the greatest. v. 35 Then he sat down and called the Twelve to gather around, and said to them: “If anyone longs to be first, he will choose to take last place and begin serving everyone else.” v. 36-37 And he took a child’s hand, and bringing him into the middle of the disciples, embraced him. Then Jesus taught them this: “Whoever chooses to take a little child’s hand and receives him in my name,  receives me. And anyone who chooses not to receive me, also choose to not receive the one who sent me.” v. 38 And John said to him: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out evil spirits in your name; but he is not walking with us; so we excluded and blocked him because he was not with us.” v. 39-40 Then Jesus commanded them: “Do not exclude and block him for no one will do powerful works in my name and, in the next breath, disparage me. For whoever is not against us is for us. v. 41 “Whoever chooses to give you a cup in my name filled with water to drink because you belong to Christ, with certainty, I tell you that he will in no way lose his reward.”

Study Notes:

v. 29  And Jesus explained to them, this sort leaves only by prayer

v. 30-31 They left from there and passed through Galilee; but he didn’t want anyone to know they were there, because he was teaching his disciples. He explained plainly to them: “The Son of Man will be delivered into the power of men who will kill him; but after he is put to death, he will rise to life.

He explained as a regular point of his teaching the kerygma.

v. 32 But they did not comprehend this message, and were afraid to ask him about it.

This message is radically different from what they expected from the Messiah. One of the reasons for regular teaching on this is so they will get it. They thought it “the Kingdom” would be set up soon and that’s a reason to jockey for the best positions when it happens.

v. 33-34 And he arrived at the house in Capernaum, and Jesus asked them: “What were you arguing about on our way here?” But they had nothing to say about one another since, along the road, they had been debating who out of all of them was the greatest.

They arrived after a quiet journey (the disciples were steamed at one another and embarrassed by their self-centeredness.

v. 35 Then he sat down and called the Twelve to gather around, and said to them: “If anyone longs to be first, he will choose to take last place and begin serving everyone else.”

v. 36-37 And he took a child’s hand, and bringing him into the middle of the disciples, embraced him. Then Jesus taught them this: “Whoever chooses to take a little child’s hand and receives him in my name,  receives me. And anyone who chooses not to receive me, also choose to not receive the one who sent me.”

Look how much teaching Jesus does without words. He sits down. He invites the twelve to join him. He sees a child and takes him by the hand and stands him right in the middle. He embraces this child. Then he talks.

In my name… the first in this passage. We embrace the forgotten and the weak in Jesus’ name.

v. 38 And John said to him: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out evil spirits in your name; but he is not walking with us; so we excluded and blocked him because he was not with us.”

Who would be using Jesus’ name to dispel darkness? This would be someone who knows the owner of this name.

v. 39-40 Then Jesus commanded them: “Do not exclude and block him for no one will do powerful works in my name and, in the next breath, disparage me. For whoever is not against us is for us.

Don’t prevent or forbid them. It’s my name and my Kingdom being expanded.

v. 41 “Whoever chooses to give you a cup in my name filled with water to drink because you belong to Christ, with certainty, I tell you that he will in no way lose his reward.”

Receiving God’s grace takes a willingness, too.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 9:1-13

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If you’ve ever wondered how I take what I learn and prepare it to share in a teaching, here is one of my ways to organize my thoughts, applications, illustrations, etc. The goal is to have one main point that the passage is mainly about; then bring applications that will help bring the truth of God’s Word into the “live-it-out” stage. If this goes well, the church gets the Scripture’s main point and leaves with ways that change their lives, and in the process of hearing and worshiping, experiences God’s presence through encouragement, healing, restoration, and most importantly redemption.

Teaching Prep Outline –

  1. Declare – Invite God’s Presence to heal, save, set right according to the Kingdom; Worship; Communion
  2. Getting There – Main point of the passage, main reason for the message. Appeal. Some background. What I want to end with.
  3. Where – The passage for the day.
  4. There – Applications to the Main point of the passage and reason for the message. Story. Hermeneutics. Remind of Main point and where I want to end.
  5. Now Where – End with story. Prayer. Focus on what God is up to in the moment. One more song. Giving response. Announcements.

(Pastor Rick’s Translation)

Mark 9:1-13 (PRT)

v. 1 And Jesus said to the crowd along with His followers, with all certainty I tell you that there are some among those standing here who will not experience death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.

 v. 2 Then, six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them into a high mountain alone and isolated; and he was transfigured in front of them,

v. 3 And his clothes became dazzling white beyond the ability of any launderer’s bleach.

v. 4 Then, Elijah along with Moses, appeared right in front of them, and they were speaking together with Jesus.

v. 5-6 And not knowing what to say, for they were terrified, Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Teacher, it’s good that we are here; we can construct three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

v. 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them in its shadow, and a voice spoke out of the cloud: “This is my son, the one beloved and chosen; listen to him.”

v. 8 Then suddenly, they looked around and saw no one with them any longer, only Jesus.

 v. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, he compelled them to tell no one what they had seen, at least not until the son of Man had risen from the dead.

v. 10 And that account they kept to themselves but discussed what “risen from the dead” means.

v. 11 And the disciples said, “Why is it that the religious scribes teach that Elijah must come first?”

v. 12 And he answered them, “Elijah indeed appears first and restores everything just in the way it is written that the Son of Man should suffer many things and be utterly despised.”

v. 13 But I tell you this, also, that Elijah has appeared, and they did to him whatever they desired just as it has been written about him.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Mark 9:1-13 v. 1 And Jesus said to the crowd along with His followers, with all certainty I tell you that there are some among those standing here who will not experience death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.

Some commentators indicate the “kingdom” coming with power to the next verses and the transfiguration – this is the first application that God changed the lives forever of three disciples as Jesus’ glory broke through. Others point to the resurrection. The pouring out of the “promise of the Father at Pentecost is my choice as it is where all three disciples were present, the power of the Kingdom through the pouring out of the “promise of the Father” came, and everyone who said yes to Jesus was transformed.

If 8:38 points to the warning to step out of the world’s rule and into a cross-centered life, 9:1ff points to the encouragement of the certainty that Jesus will come into His rightful glory.

The kingdom coming and the presence of Jesus are entwined throughout Mark.

v. 2 Then, six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them into a high mountain alone and isolated; and he was transfigured in front of them,

Luke’s account is “about eight days later” – that would include the day of v. 1 and the day of the trek up the mountain.

One commentator indicates Peter as the disciple who loves Jesus so much, John as the disciple whom Jesus loved so much, and James, the first to give his life in love for the savior in martyrdom.

The six days corresponds with the six days of preparation to receive God’s revelation or presence.

Jesus leads them up to a place where he wanted them. When we cross a valley or face a chasm or tackle a mountain because it is part of our journey with Jesus, he is taking us to a place he wants to take us.

Jesus went away alone often; this time, he invited the Three.

v. 3 And his clothes became dazzling white beyond the ability of any launderer’s bleach.

Jesus was transfigured, transformed while he was praying. The brilliance of glory broke through the plainness of flesh. What he is in heaven became visible. White light, dazzling. The closest Mark could write and Peter could describe when he was able to bear looking at Jesus was the bright white of the most bleached of robes.  Even his face was changed.

Luke reminds us that the three were likely asleep when this process began and they were awakened by and to the Lord’s brilliance and light and saw the two men with Jesus.

v. 4 Then, Elijah along with Moses, appeared right in front of them, and they were speaking together with Jesus.

Elijah left the earth without dying; Moses died, but his body was taken by an angel into glory. They were the pre-eminent figures of the Law and the Prophets.

What were they talking about? Luke tells us that it was the plan. Jesus was finding assurances about the plan – the kerygma – the suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Peter wanted to capture the moment in time as proof of the Messianic arrival attested to by Moses and Elijah, the last whom represented the forerunner.

Moses delivers God’s people from bondage and into the place of promise; Jesus brings deliverance from our bondage to sin and separation from fellowship with the Father and takes us to a place of restoration and blessing.

v. 5-6 And not knowing what to say, for they were terrified, Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Teacher, it’s good that we are here; we can construct three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

That’s why Peter blurted out, let’s set up the tabernacles to show people that your arrival is attested to by the great ones who had gone before – Moses and Elijah. This would clearly prove that the New Covenant, the New way of knowing Yahweh, had come in Jesus.

The” booths”, or tabernacles, reference is not so pointing to the Feast of Tabernacles as it is to the new “Sinai” or mountain experience that supplants Moses’ experience with the commandments.

v. 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them in its shadow, and a voice spoke out of the cloud: “This is my son, the one beloved and chosen; listen to him.”

Matthew notes it was a bright cloud filled with light, not a dark, brooding, cloud. The light was so bright as to obscure with its own presence, like a shadow, what they had seen a moment before. The cloud appeared, covered them with the shadow, and the Father spoke.

This experience totally changed the disciples, so much so that, Peter would write later about being an eyewitness to the glory and majesty of the Son of God, and John would write about Jesus’ glory visible.

2 Peter 1:16-18. This experience was with Peter the rest of his life.

This cloud became both the revelation and the concealer of Jesus’ glory. God’s voice is heard here as Jesus moves from ministry and demonstrations of power to misery and demonstrations of humility.

“Listen to Him” is important since Jesus leans into sharing the hard truths of the plan the Father has put into place through Him. They need to hear “listen to him.”

v. 8 Then suddenly, they looked around and saw no one with them any longer, only Jesus.

After recovering from the awe and fear of the experience (Matthew says they fell down) they looked around as the cloud cleared and saw only Jesus. There are times when the Father speaks or makes His presence know so powerfully that we are shaken and changed. Those experiences are “Kairos” moments in our lives; we look back on them, but we remember that Jesus remains near even as we move from those powerful moments. And he is more than enough.

Jesus remains as the sole bearer of Kingdom presence and revelation. “His words and deeds transcend all past revelation.” W. Lane.

v. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, he compelled them to tell no one what they had seen, at least not until the son of Man had risen from the dead.

They were to say nothing to their fellow followers until after Jesus conquered death.

The resurrection is seen only in the full context of the brutal treatment, death, and burial of Jesus.

The disciples got it that Jesus is Messiah and current Lord and Savior. And they understood that in the final “Parousia” Jesus would be enthroned. They just couldn’t get the whole suffer, die, bury him, but raise again part.

Jesus exaltation, glory, enthronement are only understood in the context of the Cross and empty tomb.

v. 10 And that account they kept to themselves but discussed what “risen from the dead” means.

The three disciples would frequently discuss this event among themselves. But what most didn’t fit was why Jesus would need to rise from the dead, especially since Elijah had come and ushered in the Messianic age. Sure resurrection from the dead was in the mix, but much later at the end of the age. Why would Jesus need to rise from the dead while they were still around? Perplexed.

v. 11 And the disciples said, “Why is it that the religious scribes teach that Elijah must come first?”

So many things had been written by the scribes of what Elijah would do when he came back.

v. 12 And he answered them, “Elijah indeed appears first and restores everything just in the way it is written that the Son of Man should suffer many things and be utterly despised.”

Jesus doesn’t hedge this truth from Malachi. But he does point to an even more important and frequently ignored truth: The Messiah’s pinnacle of love and glory will be in the suffering.

v. 13 But I tell you this, also, that Elijah has appeared, and they did to him whatever they desired just as it has been written about him.

And in this conversation, Jesus explains that John came in the same vein as Elijah as the greatest of the prophets and restored the reviving work of holiness and repentance that had been missing from the scene for 400 years. And in his prophetic ministry, the religious leaders would ridicule him and the political leaders executed him. He got whatever they gave him. John, like Elijah, led God’s people into repentance and forgiveness (restoration.) His was a ministry of restoration and renewal (of all things, if you respond.)

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 7:7-11

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)

7 “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. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Mt. 7:7-11 Diligently ask and it will be given to you; seek with a longing to discover and you will find; knock on the door, and that door will be opened to you. 8 For with certainty, everyone who keeps asking, receives; the one who keep seeking, finds; and to the one who keeps knocking, it will be opened. 9 Consider this comparison: which of you, if your child asked for bread, would give him a brick or stone? 10 Or even, if he asked for a fish to eat, would give him a snake? 11 Since therefore you, being sinful and uncaring, know what a good gift looks like, and you give these to your own children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him. (PRT – Pastor Rick’s Translation)

Mt. 7:7 Diligently ask and it will be given to you; seek with a longing to discover and you will find; knock on the door, and that door will be opened to you.

Or, in reverse of action and results:

You will get what you need for those of you who diligently keep asking; you will discover and find what God has in store for you for those of you who keep on seeking; and that door for relationship and provision will be opened for you who keep on knocking.

Ask for, crave, desire, call for and it will be given, supplied, entrusted to you. Seek, seek after, strive for, crave, seek with the expectation of finding, seek with longing to know and worship and you will find, return to the place, understand.  Knock, rap on the door or gate and that gate will be opened, opened fully to you.

Could this be the first verse of Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ unspoken question following the previous teaching? How do we keep from becoming judgmental? And how do we remove the huge sin in our lives so we can help others? How do we discern between giving precious spiritual truth to those who will honor it, instead of those who will toss it into the pig pen?

Easy, prayer changes us. Keep on pressing in to your relationship to Jesus. If the Father opens your eyes to sin in your life, bring it to him. If you find yourself stuck trying to share God’s goodness with one who dishonors it, pray and seek God’ freedom.

7:8 For with certainty, everyone who keeps asking, receives; the one who keep seeking, finds; and to the one who keeps knocking, it will be opened.

For, because, for indeed. Everyone asking receives, takes as one’s own, ; seeking finds; knocking it’s open fully. Pray and, in faith expect God’s gracious provision.

Read this in reverse for emphasis as this is cause/effect. The one who receives God’s answers is the one who keeps on asking; the one who find God’s treasure is the one who keeps on seeking; the one who experiences God’s Presence, who enters into the relationship eternally is the one who keeps on knocking.

The “keep on” tense is both continuous and leads to a greater expression of the action. If I am praying a little now and keep praying a little more, God will honor this and take me deeper into him. Conversely, if I pray just a little now and back off, I will fall into judgmentalism or lack of discernment.

Knocking at the Father’s door for provision, relationship is juxtaposed with Rev 3:20 where the Father is knocking at the door of those in Laodicea who were unrepentant and lukewarm. The Father initiates the knocking and we repent and open the door for salvation; and for the rest of our lives we grow by asking, seeking and knocking.

7:9 Consider this comparison: which of you, if your child asked for bread, would give him a brick or stone?

Which, then, is of you out of or from.  Jesus gives a comparison or juxtaposition. He is saying consider this from your own perspective. Will a Father give his son a brick or rock when he wants bread? The first word in the verse is translated “or” and makes this a comparative statement.

7:10 Or even, if he asked for a fish to eat, would give him a snake?

The comparative conjunction begins this, too.  The snake and fish comparison hints at follower of Jesus or enticed by the evil one. The point of these two verses: the hunger of your kid demands a proper response just like the spiritual hunger inside each of us receives the proper response from the Father.

The “me” in both juxtapositions assumes a negative answer. In no way would a father give his hungry kid a brick or a scorpion.

7:11 Since therefore you, being sinful and uncaring, know what a good gift looks like, and you give these to your own children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.

You, who by nature, from the inside, act badly, do evil, are corrupt and guilty. The comparison is of God the Father who perfectly chooses goodness and compassion toward his children and me (or you) you imperfect, not good, guilty of choosing badly, evil. Both come out of the heart, out of the inner nature.

If we are evil, even in our best days, compared to God who lacks no good characteristic, we are reminded that we need him.