CHAPTER 18

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

This parable is unique to Luke and is not found in the other gospels.

Take a look closely at the opening line of the parable before drawing any conclusions.
"He spake...to this end...," or, He spoke for this PURPOSE.
The purpose is: that "men ought ALWAYS to pray and NOT faint."
True faith in Christ is exhibited by frequent and fervent prayer!

Now, let's look at the parable and see how it accomplishes the PURPOSE.

First, there is an unjust judge. He neither fears God nor man.
The judge does NOT represent God in character; only in circumstance.
The judge is in a position of authority, and can use that authority to "deliver" (help, mete out judgment) someone.

Second, there is a woman begging for the judge to "avenge" her.
The Greek word from which "avenge" is translated is: ekdikeo.
It simply means: to vindicate, or bring judgment that is fair.
The woman is not seeking for vengeance; she is asking for justice.

Third, the judge does not act on her request immediately.
There are "circumstances!"
Perhaps the widow's matter is minor, and the judge had other cases more pressing.

Fourth, the judge DID act on the widow's request after "a while."
The REASON he did so was because the widow was about to "weary" him!
The Greek word from which "weary" is translated is: hupopiazo.
It simply means "give a black eye!"
Her persistence was about to damage the judge's reputation!

Fifth, Jesus says, "Hear what the unjust judge saith."
Even an "unjust" judge doesn't want his reputation tarnished!
How much more does our Lord want to be known as just, fair, compassionate, loving?

There ARE "circumstances" which cause our prayers to be answered in a delayed manner; or even in a manner different from what we expected.
But God WILL ANSWER!!

Remember Daniel?
For THREE weeks he fasted and prayed, but received no answer from God. (See Daniel 10:2-3).

But, when an angel DID appear, he told Daniel his prayers were heard IMMEDIATELY.
And, the REASON Gabriel was delayed in coming was "circumstances" that were of an evil nature (See Daniel 10:12).

There ARE circumstances which may cause a delay in, or a difference in the answering of our prayers.

Now, be sure and take particular note of the closing statement to the parable in verse 8, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

In other words, when Jesus comes, will he find FAITHFUL PRAYERS?!
Which leads us back to the PURPOSE of the parable:
To teach that men should ALWAYS pray and NOT faint!

Christian, are you PRAYING? Daily? Diligently? Not giving up?

Luke follows the parable of the NEED to pray, with a parable teaching HOW to pray.

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Two men, both coming to the temple to pray.
One is a "Pharisee," a high ranking official of the Jewish religion in that day.
The other man is a "publican," a despised tax collector!

The Pharisee prays bragging on himself, and never mentions forgiveness.
The publican is too ashamed to look toward heaven, and humbly begs forgiveness.

Jesus said the publican went to his house "justified."
The Greek word from which "justified" is translated is: dikaioo, which means innocent, righteous. In order to be innocent, or righteous before God, we must first be FORGIVEN!

Prayer is a matter of a heart, broken because of sinful shame, begging God's mercy and help.
Glowing oratory is not what God wants to hear in prayer.
No matter what we ask FOR, we must ask humbly, realizing we are unworthy of any grace or mercy God may give.
(See Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Matthew 23:12, and James 4:6).

PRAY!
Pray often, diligently and without giving up.
And, pray HUMBLY!

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

In those days, parents often brought children to a rabbi for a blessing.
The rabbi would place his hands on them and perhaps pray for them.

The disciples, knowing that Jesus is LORD, thought this was too much imposition upon His time.
Luke says Jesus "rebuked them" by doing TWO things.

First, Jesus STOPPED and called the children to Him.
WHOEVER you may be, WHATEVER you have been, Jesus has TIME for you!!!

Secondly, Jesus made two statements - both about CHILDREN.

The first statement was to the disciples: "ALLOW the children to come!"
Children, coming in trust, represent ALL people who come to Jesus!
Jesus promises forgiveness, peace, hope, faith, and eternal life.

The second statement, I believe, was directed to ALL listeners.
"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
We must TRUST Him before receiving those promises!

To further exemplify the need of COMPLETE TRUST in our relationship to Christ, Luke relays the following incident.

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

I don't know why this is sometimes referred to as: The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler.
Nothing here indicates the man was young.
Both Matthew 19:16-30, and Mark 10:17-23, refer to this incident; and, neither mentions the man as young.

But the man was RICH!

So, let's look further into this incident.

The man called Jesus "Good Master."
This indicates that he KNEW Jesus is LORD.
Jesus asked him, "Why callest thou me good? NONE is good, save One, that is, GOD!"

LISTEN!!! People can RECOGNIZE and KNOW that Jesus is Creator/Savior and STILL not surrender to Him.
Why? Because of an inability to give COMPLETE TRUST!!

When Jesus told him of the commandments, He spoke ONLY of those commandments that deal with man's relationship to man. Jesus quoted only from the SECOND table of commandments.
The FIRST table of commandments deals with man's relationship with GOD!
((Exodus 20:1-11 contains the first table of commandments:
1. Thou shalt have NO OTHER gods before Me;
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any grave image....
3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain....
4. Thou shalt remember the Sabbath Day to keep it HOLY. Our relationships with men may be spotless, blameless.
But it is our relationship with God that determines our forgiveness, and receipt of eternal life!

The man answered he had KEPT all those commandments Jesus had spoken of.
Mark 17:21 says, when Jesus heard that "He LOVED him."
Jesus knew the man had good intentions, and had disciplined himself in order to remain unblamed in the world of men.

HOWEVER, Jesus also knew the man needed to make a COMMITMENT to Him.

LISTEN! Anyone can KNOW that Jesus is Creator/Savior.
But salvation is given ONLY upon a COMMITMENT of our COMPLETE TRUST in JESUS!

When Jesus told him about the ONE THING he lacked - COMMITMENT - the man went away "sorrowful!"
WHY? Because he WANTED what he HAD more than he wanted what Jesus OFFERED!

What about you?
Are you willing to make the COMMITMENT to Christ that ALL you have belongs to Him?
Well, it DOES!! He made it! And, ONLY by His grace do you HAVE it!!

I have been preaching 30 years.
One of the FIRST sermons God gave me was one entitled:
WITHOUT SURRENDER THERE IS NO SALVATION!
I STILL preach that sermon because it's TRUE!

God doesn't WANT man's riches!
He already HAS them...they are HIS!
What God wants us to do is TRUST Him to tell us how to USE them properly.

Now, this concerned the disciples.
And, it may concern YOU.
Therefore, Jesus gave them a short lesson, which is also intended for us.

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

The disciples were really asking, "If a man such as this, who is GOOD, can't be saved, WHO CAN?"
Jesus' answer is "...things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

When I was in the 3rd grade, the teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I said, "Possible."
She asked, "Why do you say that?" I said, "'Cause my Mom is always saying I'm IMpossible!"

GOODNESS will NOT save a person!
ONLY surrender to Christ will save a person!

What seems IMpossible to man is salvation of:
a drug addict, an alcoholic, a murderer, or - even a proud and haughty person!

But God makes it POSSIBLE by MERCY!
The offer of salvation through Christ is extended to ANYONE!
(See John 3:16, Romans 10:13)

The manner of RECEIVING God's salvation is SURRENDER of COMPLETE TRUST in CHRIST!

And, LISTEN to what Jesus said in verses 29-30!
The sacrifices Christians make for Christ are REWARDED!
They are rewarded "in this PRESENT time!"
AND, in "the world to come," we shall have "life everlasting!"

31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Jesus took the disciples aside and explained that soon they would go to Jerusalem where He would be "put ...to death: and the third day He shall rise again."

But the disciples did not UNDERSTAND!
They KNEW He was the Messiah, the Savior, God in flesh, the Creator of all there is!
They couldn't understand how what Jesus was saying could actually happen!

But, note that Jesus told them "ALL things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."
The reason they didn't understand was because the SUFFERING of Messiah was not TAUGHT!
Evidently, at that time Isaiah 53:7-11 was not TAUGHT!

Isaiah 53:7-11 speaks of the COMMITMENT of Messiah to become the "Lamb of God!"
The "Lamb of sacrifice!"

I believe Luke put this incident directly behind the teachings of TRUST and COMMITMENT for a purpose.
Before we can rise to the heights of faith, we must totally surrender to being God's SERVANT!
Nothing more, nothing less!
I belong to HIM. He bought and paid for me with His BLOOD!

And before we can gain true spiritual "sight," we must be willing to CALL UPON JESUS in such a way that EVERYONE can hear us!
And THAT, I believe, is the intent of the next incident being related.

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Just before Jesus entered Jericho, there was a blind man seated by the road begging.
He heard the multitude passing by, and wanted to know what was going on.
They told him, Jesus was passing by.

Immediately the blind man cried out loudly, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!"

This blind man had obviously been seated on that road many times.
He had heard the stories about Jesus, and he KNEW Jesus is LORD!

The crowd tried to keep the blind man quiet, so he wouldn't make a disruption.
But he just yelled out MORE loudly!!!

Jesus STOPPED!!
Yes, Jesus has time for YOU!
If you call upon Him, He WILL STOP and LISTEN!!

Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted!
The man didn't want riches, fame, fortune; he wanted his SIGHT!
That meant he would have to go to WORK!
As soon as he received sight, he would no longer be able to BEG!
Please note the man was WILLING!

Jesus healed the man, and he began following Jesus IMMEDIATELY!!
This blind man could now SEE.
He was no longer helpless, and would have to provide for himself.
Yet, he IMMEDIATELY followed Jesus, not worrying about where his next meal would come from!!

Notice also, that WHILE the healed man followed Jesus, he was "glorifying God!"
He didn't stop speaking LOUDLY about Jesus!! He PRAISED Him!!

And, the result was: all the OTHER people praised God too!

Now THAT'S a life of COMMITMENT in COMPLETE TRUST!!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.