CBC: Sermon Notes: O to Be Like Thee!

by Samuel E. Ward

Part 3: Jesus' Journey to Heaven by Way of Jerusalem

Luke 18

Introduction

We learn much about what Jesus values in the character of His disciples in this chapter. He extols the virtues of persistence in prayer, humility before God and men, child-like trust in God, and having God as the only worthy object of our faith. He teaches these virtues by parables, real-life experience, dialogue, and example. He is indeed the Master Teacher.

The question is, what type of learners will we be. Will we "get it?" Or will it go over our heads. Will we simply reject it because it's not what we wanted to hear? Will there be reason to for Jesus to commend our perception and willingness to obey? It's left to each one of us as to decide what we will learn by how diligently we study and listen as we delve into the content of this chapter

XXV. Lessons on Prayer, Humility, Trust, and the Object of Faith, Luke 18:1-17

A. The Unrighteous Judge and a Lesson on Persistence in Prayer, Luke 18:1-8

1. The purpose of the parable, Luke 18:1

Luke 18:1 (NIV) ⁽¹⁾Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

2. The key characters of the parable , Luke 18:2-3a

Luke 18:2-3a (NIV) ⁽²⁾He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. ^(3a)And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him

3. The issue between the characters, Luke 18:3-4a

Luke 18:3-4a (NIV) ⁽³⁾And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' ^(4a)"For some time he refused.

4. The resolution between the characters, Luke 18:4b-5

Luke 18:4b-5 (NIV) ^(4b)"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, ⁽⁵⁾yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"

5. The lesson of the parable, Luke 18:6-8

Luke 18:6-8 (NIV) ⁽⁶⁾And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁽⁷⁾And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁽⁸⁾I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

How do you think of God when He either takes His time answering your prayer or does not accede to your wishes at all. Is He mean? Unloving? Disinterested? Or is He in possession of the "big picture" that not only includes knowing not only the effects of your request upon you, but on others, as well.

When we cry for judgment upon others for wrongs done to us, are we just as committed to justice being carried out swiftly and equitably when we wrong others? Are we willing to allow God the same exercise of patience and mercy upon others that we hope for ourselves when we do wrong.?

But the main lesson here is persistence. Don't give up on praying until you are satisfied with what God has done or chosen not to do. But know, in your cry for justice, no evildoer will go unpunished.

Nahum 1:3 (NIV) The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Romans 2:8 (NIV) But for those who are self–seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

But these truths need to be balanced with God's extension of mercy not only to us, but to those who wrong us.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

B. The Pharisee and the Penitent Tax Collector: A Lesson on Self-Righteousness Vs. Humility, Luke 18:9-14

1. The purpose of the parable, Luke 18:9

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)⁽⁹⁾To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

2. The key characters of the parable, Luke 18:10

Luke 18:10 (NIV) ⁽¹⁰⁾"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

3. The self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee, Luke 18:11-12

Luke 18:11-12 (NIV) ⁽¹¹⁾The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ⁽¹²⁾I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

4. The humble prayer of the tax collector, Luke 18:13

Luke 18:13 (NIV) ⁽¹³⁾"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

5. The lesson of the parable, Luke 18:14

Luke 18:14 (NIV) ⁽¹⁴⁾"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

How easy it is to notice the faults of others while ignoring our own. This is arrogance and hypocrisy beyond justification. God knows the hearts of all men and therefore is aware that there are none who are absolutely righteous. Getting us to understand this is difficult and therefore there is little wonder that God is impressed with the one who recognizes his true spiritual poverty and approaches him in humility.

C. The Little Children: A Lesson on Simple Trust, Luke 18:15-17

Luke 18:15-17 (NIV) ⁽¹⁵⁾People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ⁽¹⁶⁾But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ⁽¹⁷⁾I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

How many times does Jesus point out the lack of trust and faith exhibited by His disciples? They often came up short. This was the case at the feeding of the five thousand when He asked them "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (John 6:5) It was also the case when they feared for their lives on the stormy lake (Mat 8:24-27). Peter showed his ambivalent faith when he attempted to walk on water to Jesus (Mat 14:29-32). They lacked it when they attempted to cast out a demon (Mat 17:19-20).

While with men we may feel the need to be cautious concerning whom we trust, with God there is never any need. Like a trusting child who is confident and proud of his father's knowledge and abilities, if his dad says that together they can do something, he knows they can. "Trust and obey for there's no other way."

XXVIII. The Rich Ruler: A Lesson on the Proper Object of Faith, Luke 18:18-30

A. A Question from a Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-25

1. The eternal question, Luke 18:18

Luke 18:18 (NIV) ⁽¹⁸⁾A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

2. The standard answer: Eternal life is based on one's goodness, Luke 18:19-20

Luke 18:19-20 (NIV) ⁽¹⁹⁾"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. ⁽²⁰⁾You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"

3. The standard response: "I qualify as a good person." Luke 18:21

Luke 18:21 (NIV) ⁽²¹⁾"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.

4. The truth of the matter: "Your eyes have been on temporal life, not eternal." Luke 18:22-25

a. The Lord's diagnosis, Luke 18:22

Luke 18:22 (NIV) ⁽²²⁾When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

b. The ruler's decision, Luke 18:23

Luke 18:23 (NIV) ⁽²³⁾When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

c. The Lord's comment, Luke 18:24-25

Luke 18:24-25 (NIV) ⁽²⁴⁾Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ⁽²⁵⁾Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Different things and concerns keep people from coming to Jesus. Some are concerned about what others think. Others are anxious about what they may have to give up. Still others cannot bring themselves to the point of seeing their own sinfulness and insist they are "good enough" to get enter heaven. Jesus would say that none of these are worthy of entering the kingdom of heaven because they have not come to see the value of Jesus over all other persons, things, activities, and personal pride. These are their true gods and the true God will not share His glory with another.

Isa 42:8 (NIV) "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

B. A Follow-Up Question with Its Attendant Concerns, Luke 18:26-30

1. The question, Luke 18:26

Luke 18:26 (NIV) ⁽²⁶⁾Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"

2. Jesus' reply, Luke 18:27

Luke 18:27 (NIV) ⁽²⁷⁾Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

3. Peter's declaration, Luke 18:28

Luke 18:28 (NIV) ⁽²⁸⁾Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"

4. Jesus' response, Luke 18:29-30

Luke 18:29-30 (NIV) ⁽²⁹⁾"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God ⁽³⁰⁾will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

This is an encouraging conversation Jesus held with His disciples. In it He acknowledges the truthfulness of the fact that they indeed had given up all to follow Him. He adds to His commendation the promise of rewards many times greater than any loss they might incur by choosing Him over other things.

XXIX. Jesus' Prediction of His Death, Luke 18:31-34

A. Jesus' Detailed Prediction, Luke 18:31-33

Luke 18:31-33 (NIV) ⁽³¹⁾Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. ⁽³²⁾He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. ⁽³³⁾On the third day he will rise again."

B. The Disciples' Lack of Comprehension, Luke 18:34

Luke 18:34 (NIV)⁽³⁴⁾The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

So quick to comprehend some things, the disciples are decidedly slow in grasping others. This is not the first time he mentioned His impending death. When He did, they either ignored His reference to it or they could not bring themselves to believe He was serious.

XXX. The Blind Man on the Roadside, Luke 18:35-43

A. The Merciful Cry, Luke 18:35-38

Luke 18:35-38 (NIV) ⁽³⁵⁾As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁽³⁶⁾When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ⁽³⁷⁾They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." ⁽³⁸⁾He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

B. The Merciless Rebuke, Luke 18:39a (NIV)

Luke 18:39 (NIV) ^(39a)Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more,

C. The Persistent Request,

Luke 18:39b (NIV) ^(39b)"Son of David, have mercy on me!"

D. The Savior's Compassion, Luke 18:40-43

Luke 18:40-43 (NIV) ⁽⁴⁰⁾Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁽⁴¹⁾"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. ⁽⁴²⁾Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." ⁽⁴³⁾Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

1. It came in response to a request.

2. It came as a result of faith.

3. It brought glory to God.

How interesting that in this last episode we see combined all the main elements of Jesus' teaching. The blind man was persistent with his request though surrounded by those who saw him as a pest. He was humble in his plea for mercy. There was simplicity in his faith that believed Jesus could do for him what He had done for others. His poverty left him desperate to depend upon Jesus to provide the restoration he could have no other way but through Jesus.

To be like Jesus . . .

1. We must be as persistent in our purpose as Jesus was in His and which He illustrated by the parable of the widow. Jesus' persistence in patiently pursuing God's will brought victory over injustice and a seat at the right hand of God, Heb 12:2-3.

Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) ⁽²⁾Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ⁽³⁾Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

2. We must not seek to impress people by our self-righteousness, but by our humility. Jesus was the very expression of such humility in torder to draw people to Himself, Mat 11:29-30.

Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) ⁽²⁹⁾Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ⁽³⁰⁾For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

3. We must recognize the value of children and make ourselves accessible to them. They can teach us the very essence of true faith and trust in God (Luke 18:15-17).

4. We must be willing to leave behind that which would draw us away from serving God, knowing that God rewards such commitment, Phil 2:5-9.

Philippians 2:5-9 (NIV) ⁽⁵⁾Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁽⁶⁾Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁽⁷⁾but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

⁽⁸⁾And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

5. We must be willing to show mercy upon those whom others think are unworthy, Luke 18:40-43.

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O to Be Like Thee!

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