Luke Chapter 18

The Parable of the Unjust Judge:
(Read Luke 18:1-17)
In this parable we see two unlikely characters, a poor widow and a corrupt judge.  Through her persistence, the wicked judge was so bothered that he finally granted her request.  Jesus wanted us to focus upon several important contrasts in this story.  If the poor woman with no hope received help from a corrupt judge, how much more we will be helped by our loving heavenly Father.  The widow had to go to a corrupt judge but we can go to our heavenly Father. Widow was a stranger but we are God’s children. The widow had no access to the judge but we have constant access to God. The widow came to the court of law but we came to the throne of grace. The widow had no lawyer but we have Jesus as our advocate. The widow had to bother the judge before he listened but our God loves to hear our requests. This parable also reveals God’s generous heart toward us.  God delights to care for us because we belong to Jesus (Romans 8:31-33). “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8).   The “faith” spoken here is the body of truth.  There will be only a remnant to follow Christ when he returns.  In the parable of the Pharisee and Tax collector, Jesus reveals the contrast between a self-righteous religious man and a repentant sinner. God loves and accepts those who humbly look for mercy and rejects those who exalt themselves.  Jesus invites sinners to come to him just as they are.  The humble tax collector was forgiven and justified on the basis of his faith.  Jesus loved children and those who have childlike faith in him.  Anyone who doesn’t have such faith will not enter the Kingdom of God.
 
The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler:
(Read Luke 18:18-43)
The parable of the rich ruler illustrates several truths.  He thought that he had obeyed God’s law but did not realize that his wealth stood in the way of him and God.  It could be pride, position, family, friends and a presumptuous sin in our case. Jesus does not ask us to sell all that we have and give to the poor.  In this case, his priority was wrong to become a disciple of Christ. He failed to understand what Jesus meant when he said “No one is good except God alone”.  It seems he depended on his good behavior to receive what he valued the most, his wealth.  He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. He loved money more than God.  Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God”.  But what is impossible with man is possible with God.  Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection to his disciples. As Jesus drew near Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus was passing by he began shouting “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me". When Jesus heard him, he asked the man “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied “Lord I want to see”.  Jesus said “your faith has healed you”.   And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus glorifying God.  And all who saw it praised God. The healing of blind Bartimaeus is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels.  He clearly recognized that Jesus is the Messiah. God does not merely tell us what to do, he also changes our will to do what he desires.