Day 25 - Luke 18

Sorry for the late posts here lately.  By the end of this week we'll be jumping into the book of Acts! I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Happy reading!


Read Luke 18 (find it here)

In a twist of irony, Jesus compares God to an ungodly judge.  When the judge is repeatedly approached by a widow (other than a child, one of the most powerless figures in society), the judge decides to appease the woman just to shut her up.

The lesson behind this parable is simple. If an ungodly judge will grant justice won't God who is just respond to those who "cry out to him day and night?" (v. 7) Of course he will!

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I'm a fan of this particular parable for an unusual reason.  I don't know about you but I liked being called out by Scripture and this parable does that to me.

Jesus had previously said that Pharisees we're superficial; pretty on the outside, dead on the inside. (Luke 11:39) Here's a great example of how that looks.

A Pharisee and tax collector (a legal thief, pretty much) were praying at the Temple. The Pharisee "prayed" aloud and thanked God that he wasn't "a sinner like everyone else." (v. 11) He continues to list the things he doesn't do and even calls out the tax collector while the tax collector is praying! I imagine him praying with his arms open wide and his face pointing heavenward.

Who does this guy think he is?!

Truth be told I don't pray prayers like this.  But here's what I do occasionally. I am definitely guilty of looking down my nose at other people and, judging by their appearance, I automatically believe that I know God and they don't.

Who do I think I am?!

The tax collector has a completely different demeanor.  His head is bowed and he admits his wrongs (the Pharisees admits his "rights"). The tax collector's focus is on God, while the Pharisee is basically making a speech with his eyes shut about how great he is! Pfft, please...

Jesus says that only the tax collector's humble prayer justified him.  It makes sense because what was the Pharisee asking for? Exactly! Nothing! His "prayer" did nothing but exalt himself. It's not that God ignored the Pharisee's prayer, it just wasn't really directed at God.

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Sing with me now, "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are wondrous in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."

Well apparently Jesus didn't teach the disciples that song.  The disciples are, for some reason, annoyed by children so they shooed them away.

But Jesus loves the little children.  They make a great teaching point. You would think that the disciples would've gotten the idea that humility and dependence are the traits that God looks for.  Like the previous parable suggests, over-confidence and arrogance lead to a person's destruction and downfall.

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A seemingly sincere religious leader once asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 18) Its amazing to see that even Jesus directs praise to God and not to himself.  The rich man knew and had followed all the commandments since he was a boy.

Jesus realized what he was missing.  The man was rich and not gracious with his belongings. "Give it all away and follow me," Jesus basically says.  The man just couldn't do that.  He left Jesus.

Don't you find it strange that a person who follows all of the rules of the church could still end up walking away from God? It happens because following the rules has its benefits. People look up to them, ask for their advice but you'll know what kind of person you have on your hands if you ask them for their money.  Some of the tightest people I know grace church pews. They will give to the church but not to any other non-profit organization.

Jesus says that its nearly impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. Its like a camel through the eye of a needle.  That (camel through the eye of a needle) doesn't mean what you think.  The eye of a needle was a short door into a city that camels would have to walk on their knees to get into.  Can you imagine getting a camel, who doesn't want or like to walk on their knees to go through a door?

But those who heard obviously go the imagery.  "Who can be saved then?" (v. 26)  Because of the seemingly perfect candidate can't, who can?  Yes, you heard it here many of the people who go to church every Sunday aren't going to heaven.  Billy Graham is even quoted as saying that as much as 70% of church-goers are probably not saved! Wow!

Jesus responds to Peter (and theoretically the crowds, too) by saying that anyone who gives up their home or family for God will be repaid handsomely with the gift of eternal life. Hoarding to what you have earns you nothing. In fact, it may end up separating you from God.

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Is it just me or is Jesus really clear in telling the disciples what's going to happen with him? Was it because he was referring to himself in the third person?  Either way they "didn't understand" and "failed to grasp what he was talking about." (v. 34)

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Persistence is the theme for the last part of Luke 18. A blind beggar hears that Jesus is walking by. He yells for Jesus, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (v. 38) He was shushed but he yelled all the more. Jesus hears the man over the crowd and simply asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" (v. 41)

As soon as the beggar's site was restored he followed Jesus thereafter. His life was changed and for that, he dedicated the rest of his days in following Christ.


Questions

1.) The woman who begged the unjust judge was begging for justice. Is there anything you're begging God for? If so, what is it? Do you think that God has to respond in just the way you want him to for your prayer to be answered? Why or why not?

2.) Do you ever look down your nose at others? When you pray are the contents of your prayer about attitudes or about asking forgiveness and thanking God for his goodness?

3.)  The rich man who said he had followed all the commandments since he was a boy seemed to have it all together, however, he lacked the gift of giving.  Whether you're a church person, religious nut or not, without charity and the ability to give you will always be lacking in similarity to Christ.  What thing(s) do you find it hard to give up or live without? What things distract you or take time away from your relationship with God or His word?