Luke Chapter 18.

Luke Chapter 18.

The unjust judge.  18:1-8.   The setting is strongly eschatalogical, with the advent of the Parousia on the horizon.  The main lesson of the parable, is that men are not to lose heart, but are to have unshakeable faith in God to fulfill His purpose towards His people.  If an unjust judge can be pestered into doing the right thing by an importunate widow woman, how much more, will God, who is righteous and merciful, save His elect who pray unceasingly.  God will avenge His elect, by delivering them from their foes.  The righteous character of God is the stronghold of  believing and persevering prayer.

           

In 18:8, faith is, "the faith" R.V.m.  The Lord does not answer this question.  It is a challenge to his disciples to persevere, and remain confident that God will work out His purpose.  However, despite the progress of false teaching, there shall be believing servants when he comes.

           

The Pharisee and the Publican.  18:9-14.  

  *   The listeners.  The parable was spoken to those who trusted in themselves.  And the nature of their reliance, consisted in their personal achievements in the sphere of religious piety.  The fruit of their self-reliance, caused them to despise others.

  *  The Pharisee.   Sincere, but self-satisfied.  He measured himself with fellow-men, rather than with God's standard.  Thus self, not God, was the centre of his religion.

  *   The Publican.  He was aware of his unworthiness, that he was no good.  He wanted to be different and found no satisfaction in himself, but knew God could make him different.

  *   Prays for forgiveness.  The word, 'halaskomai' occurs again in Heb.2:17.  In Biblical Greek, means expiation, rather than propitiation.  See Vine's Dictionary for this group of words.  R.V. has, "be merciful."

  *   The Lord's verdict.   The humble believer was justified, or accepted before God.  This assurance of justification, was no newly acquired self-satisfaction, but an awareness of Divine mercy.

           

Little children.  18:15-17.   See 9:46-48.  The radical character of the Kingdom, for the Kingdom of God is likened to little children.

  *   A child's readiness to receive a gift.  A child lives in a circle of dependence and trust.  The Kingdom is received - it is God's gift.

  *    A child's humility.   There is a natural humility in little children that has not been spoiled by fierce ambition.

  *   A child represents the beginning of life, not its end.  To enter the Kingdom of God, is to enter a new life.

           

The unwilling ruler.  18:18-27.   See Mark 10:17-31; Matt.19:16-30.   This man was young, wealthy and a ruler, possibly of a Synagogue.  Jesus takes him up on his own ground, that of doing good.  He makes it easier by only quoting the second table of the law, the duty of loving one's neighbour.  The Law was the recognized standard of that which is good.  The ruler is confident that he has fulfilled all these duties.  Then Jesus discloses, that Eternal life, or life in the Kingdom, is concerned not with the letter of the law, but the Spirit of the law.  Hence, he must sell his goods, and give to the poor, and follow Jesus.  To become a disciple of Jesus, was now the important thing.  This was the real test.  The selling of his goods and the distribution to the poor, was a necessary condition to his accompanying Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus himself, was about to accomplish his decease.  The rich young man, was not prepared to pay such a price.

           

Jesus comment: The Rabbis thought that wealth was a mark of God's favour, but Jesus taught a new scale of values (6:20).  Wealth was no sign of God's favour.  Salvation is impossible, as long as it is considered from a merely human standpoint.

           

The reward of the Apostles.   18:28-30.   No sacrifice made on behalf of the Lord, will be without recompense.  Even in this life, it has many compensations, for it is to exchange a life of narrow self-interest, for the vital enthusiasm of the Christian faith, with its many-sided social activities.

           

The Passion again predicted.  18:31-34.   This is the third prediction of his passion associated with the journey to Jerusalem.

The blind beggar.  18:35-43.   His name was Bartimaeus. (Mk.10:46).  The situation of Jericho, about 15 miles from Jerusalem.  The movement is gathering enthusiasm.  The blind beggar feels this is an opportunity that will not come again.  He has faith to believe Jesus can do something for him.  Many told him to be quiet, for to hail Jesus publicly as the Son of David, may be indiscreet.  The Roman authorities may become suspicious. 

           

The chief concern of Jesus was that the man may receive mercy.  The rich young ruler comes short of the Divine; but a poor blind beggar receives it.  What a difference when a man will let God do the humanly impossible.