The Way - Day 018 (Luke 18)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Luke 18:1-17
 In light of Jesus' teachings concerning the trials and hardships which await those who follow God (17:25), Jesus speaks a parable to His disciples "that man ought to pray and not lose heart" (18:1). Since He knew that His followers would face intense persecution and opposition throughout their ministry, Jesus reveals that the key to enduring hardship is continual prayer. To teach about this concept, Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge who had no concern for God or man (18:2) and also a woman who had been wronged by someone in the city (18:3a). The woman wanted the judge to take swift action and bring judgment upon her adversary (18:3b), but the judge "would not for a while" (18:4a). It seems like the woman would not take "no" for an answer so she kept on begging the judge to intervene in her situation until he finally said, "Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me" (18:4b-5). Jesus used this woman's persistence as an example of how His followers should respond during trials. Instead of giving up or maybe even blaming God, Jesus challenges them to have faith which leads them to cry out to God for help (18:6-7). If this judge, who was unjust, could respond to the continual plea of a woman, how much more will God, who is perfect, respond to those who love Him? (18:8). Jesus then poses a piercing question, "...when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (18:8b); in other words, at Jesus' return, will He find people who have the kind of faith in God that causes them to beg for something until He responds?

Luke then writes concerning another one of Jesus' parables that He spoke "...to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (18:9). Obviously, the people best known for their arrogance and pride in spiritual matters were the Pharisees and they would often compare themselves to others thinking that they were much more spiritual. In order to confront this false perception, Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and tax collector, who both went to the temple to pray (18:10). The pious Pharisee prays, "'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess" (18:11-12). In contrast to the prayer of the Pharisee, Jesus describes the actions of the tax collector by saying, "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'" (18:13). What's the difference between the prayer of the Pharisee and the prayer of the tax collector? The Pharisee trusted in his own good deeds instead of recognizing that he stood unrighteous before God, while the tax collector knew that regardless of his actions he was a sinner in the sight of God. Humility is the key to unlocking God's favor. Jesus declared that "...everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (18:14). Luke then places a couple words here to follow up on the importance of approaching God in humility. It appears that some parents brought their children to see Jesus and be blessed by Him, but the disciples turned them away (18:15); however, Jesus demanded that the children be brought to Him and He said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God" (18:16). Children have a sense of excitement, anticipation, humility, and dependence which are necessary attitudes if adults wanted to enter the kingdom of God (18:17).

Luke 18:18-43
A certain ruler comes to Jesus asking, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (18:18). This is a valid question and one that everyone will ask at sometime in their life, so it is important for the reader to examine Jesus' answer to this man's question. Jesus responds saying, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God" (18:19). This statement is not a denial of His deity, but a testimony to the fact that all are sinners, which is the most basic concept that this or any man should realize before receiving eternal life. Jesus emphasizes this concept by exposing the law, which brings the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20), saying "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother'" (18:20). Instead of admitting his sinfulness, this ruler says, "All these things I have kept from my youth" (18:21). When this man responded arrogantly to the question, Jesus said, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (18:22). In no way was Jesus endorsing a works-based salvation, but He was simply attempting to get this man to admit his sinfulness and guilt before God. Jesus knew that the ruler had broken God's law by loving his riches more than he loved God (18:23). Since loving God was the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-38), this man had not perfectly kept God's law and was in need of forgiveness. The truth Jesus is teaching here is that no one will ever find mercy and forgiveness (and eternal life) until he has first admitted that he has broken God's law. Admission of sin and guilt precedes forgiveness and mercy. The disciples who had witnessed Jesus' conversation with this man were overwhelmed and thought that if a rich man could not enter the kingdom of God, than who could (18:24-25). Their reaction was wrapped up in the false teaching of Jesus' day which believed that riches were a sign of God's favor. The disciples reacted to Jesus' statement saying, "Who then can be saved?" (18:26); in other words, if a rich man cannot be saved, then who can? Jesus quickly corrected their flawed thinking by reminding them that "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (18:27). Salvation and eternal life are impossible to attain through human effort, but can only be received when a person humbles himself before God and relies on the finished work of Jesus Christ, who became the sacrifice for the sins of men (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Realizing that although the ruler had not been willing to leave everything in order to follow Jesus while the disciples had, Peter spoke up saying, "See, we have left all and followed You" (18:28), so Jesus reminded them that "...there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life" (18:29). Christ promises that those who forsake riches and relationships in order to follow His plans will be rewarded now and in the future. Jesus then takes the twelve disciples aside and foretells His death and resurrection (18:31-33), but they do not understand (18:34). Their failure to understand may have been related to their misunderstandings about the timing of the kingdom of God.

As Jesus made His way toward Jericho, a blind beggar sitting on the road heard a multitude pass by and someone told him that it was Jesus of Nazareth (18:35-37). Thinking that this was probably his only chance at being made whole, the beggar began to call out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (18:38). The beggar uses a title for Jesus which signifies his belief in Him as the promised Messiah and King. When the people near this beggar tried to silence his cries, he began to cry out even louder (18:39), so when Jesus heard him He asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (18:40-41a). When the beggar knew that he had Jesus full attention he said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight" (18:41b). Jesus granted the blind man's request saying, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well" (18:42). This man's persistence resulted in Jesus performing that which was impossible for man to do on his own.

Dear God, help me to believe that You can do the impossible!