Read Luke 18:1 - 43
Introduction:
In the Eighteenth chapter of Luke we find Jesus setting forth two parables which
teach powerful lessons on
PRAYER! First the need to be persistent in prayer is emphasized (vs. 1-8). Men ought to always
pray and not to faint ( i.e. be persistent.) This is stated as the PURPOSE of this parable. Secondly,
He gave a parable to the end that men ought not trust in themselves (vs. 9-14).
Also, He taught about the nature and character of "infants" (vs. 15-17), their
innocence: "For of such is the kingdom of God"! He deals with a rich man who
thought he wanted to be saved, but when told what must come first in his life,
he was unwilling to give the Lord priority and went away sorrowful. (Cf. Vs .
18-30). Jesus predicted His crucifixion (Vs. 31-34). He gave a blind man his
sight (Vs.35-43).
Let us note
that prayer is important, but it has certain conditions in order to be
effective. It is a great privilege to be able to talk to the God of Heaven, the
Creator and Governor of the world and all that is in it. Yet, there are
conditions that one must meet for their prayer to be
effective.
1. First each of us
must have faith to pray to God, and then accept the results and NOT FAINT or
give up! Patience is needed to wait on the Lord to do what is best. The judge in
the parable "feared not God, neither regarded man," yet due to the widow’s
persistence, he granted her request. So, the reasonable person can see that God
will respond to the person who cries "day and night unto
him."
2. However, there is
no ground for one to trust in self! The two men in the illustration shows that
one was self righteous, commending himself rather than recognizing his
deficiencies and asking for God’s mercy. The man justified was one who confessed
his need, asking for the Lord to have mercy on him "a sinner." Yet, this is
often misused to say that all an alien sinner need do is ask God to save
him/her. Such teaching is to disregard what is plainly stated in other places, that one
MUST have faith in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Christ,
believe and be baptized in
order to have his or her sins forgiven (Jn. 8:24; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts
22:26). Satan would like to keep one in the dark! Please don’t allow him to
deceive you!
3. A man came asking
what he must do to be saved. He was told to sell what he had and come follow
Jesus, but he refused to so act! Noting can allow one to fail to commit his or her
life to Jesus (18-30). Surely the gain in this life and that which is to come is
worth giving up every thing to follow
Jesus!
4. Jesus presents
the fact that He knew He was going to be rejected in Jerusalem and be turned
over to the Gentiles, be crucified, as "things are written," but He would be
raised "again." (Vs. 31-34).
5. He demonstrates, again His power to give a blind man his sight, by saying "Receive thy sight." And "immediately" it was accomplished (vs.35.43).
QUESTIONS:
1. To what end are
we told Jesus "spake a parable" (Lk.
18:1)?
2. To Whom did the "widow" make her request,
and why did she receive what she asked for (Vs. 5)?
3. What lesson does Jesus draw from this
parable (Vs. 6-8)?
4. Which of the two men who prayed was
"justified" (Vs. 9-14)
5. What is taught about "little children"
(Vs. 15-17)?
6. What did a "certain ruler" ask and what
caused him to go away "sorrowful" (Vs. 18-23)?
7. What lesson did Jesus teach about "riches"
(Vs. 24-30) and what was the disciples response? (Cf. Mk. 10:24)
8. What did Jesus say was going to happen in
"Jerusalem" (Vs. 31-34)?
9. What did the man sitting "by the wayside"
do and say (Vs. 35-39)?
10. What did Jesus say to the man and what
happened "Immediately" (Vs. 40-43)?
