LUKE 18

Luke 18 builds on the previous context of recognizing that the Kingdom is coming. With that in mind, Jesus had a few more lessons to teach, and he continues with parables to address problems which are common even to us.

First we tend to lose heart easily. So He tells us to keep praying, and NOT to lose heart. In light of whatever current circumstances are present, this makes so much more sense when we can keep focused on a better life to come. Just as the woman is persistent with the judge, so too should we be in prayer to the Father. Faith requires persistence, action “on purpose”.

Second, we tend to trust in ourselves as our primary source of reliance. Jesus, using the Pharisee and the tax collector as examples, tells us to humble ourselves before God. God will deal with the exaltation and the humbling, as appropriate.

Third, we tend to complicate things way too much. Jesus shows us, through a child, how to come to Him. Childlike faith is required to accept Him. Humble trusting, with a willingness to obey and listen. (Aside: this has nothing to do with infant baptism).

I love how a question is thrown out at Jesus, and He responds to a part that was not even intended to be addressed. Look at verse 18, the rich young ruler, as we know him, calls Jesus “Good Teacher”, and Jesus jumps on the word “good”, saying only God is good. Another hint to those around Him that He is God? Anyway, then Jesus proceeds to answer his question about eternal life. Bottom line, love Jesus, love God more than anything else, and you have the proper foundation to follow Him. This man loved his money and wealth more, and could not follow. He did not perceive himself “needing” God that much. He was just fine with his present state of mind and money.

Peter throws out a comment (he’s good for that!) that he has left everything to follow Jesus (and he has, all except for his immediate family). Maybe he wanted to justify his choice, or let Jesus know it was costing him a great deal to follow. Jesus assures him that the eternal rewards will make this life of following worth it.

The group is on the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus will finish His last week of teaching before being crucified, and He begins to explain this to the twelve. They are not quite ready to understand it all, not just yet.

While on the way, in Jericho, He heals Bartimaeus (name mentioned in other gospels). As Jesus walks by, when told to him that the man walking is Jesus of Nazareth, Bartimaeus calls him “Son of David”. He recognizes Jesus as the messiah, and it is his faith which causes Jesus to heal him physically. And by Jesus declaring Bartimaeus to have been “made well”, the clear implication is that he is saved, healed spiritually as well.

As we have seen before, the proper response to such salvation is….PRAISE!

SO WHAT…?

So, I need to keep faith simple, keep praying, stay focused on serving God, relying on Him completely. Simple, not easy.

So, what do I place in value above God?

So, I must remember, the Kingdom is coming. That should be more than enough to get me through any day.