Luke 18 and verse 1 reads.
Luke 18:1] And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
This is an awesome gift from God. That when Jesus was crucified, the first thing that he did was to rent in two the vail of the Holy of holies. Allowing man to come to him directly, without a priest, to talk to God and to ask for forgiveness. Truly the most compassionate offer of love from our Father.
Luke 18:2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
Not a believer.
Luke 18:3] 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.
Not because he feared God, because she was bothering him so much that he couldn’t stand it. The squeaky wheel got the oil.
Luke 18:6] 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?
Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Why not, he can do it better than you or I could. Also, talking about the second advent. Yes, he will find his Elect and He will find faith.
Luke 18:9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Those who think so much of themselves. Jesus can’t stand hypocrites.
Luke 18:10] 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.
No, just a hypocrite.
Luke 18:12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
He’s a pharisee and all that he has, was given to him by tithes.
Luke 18:13] 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.
We humbly ask for forgiveness when we repent. Knowing that God only can forgive sins. Emmanuel, God with us.
Luke 18:15] And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
God is our Father, we are his children. This will help you understand how Jesus feels about his disciples rebuking them.
Luke 18:16] 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.
If you are not as a child of God then how can you enter the kingdom. It is the Kingdom, the King and his dominion.
Luke 18:18] 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.
Emmanuel, did this man know that Jesus was God with us? I think No. That he thought any man of stature was good. Another hypocrite.
Luke 18:20] 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.
First, he left off the tenth commandment, thou shalt not covet. This man had ill-gotten gains. Yet, Jesus asked him to sell all he had, and follow me. Will he?
Luke 18:23] 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!
Jesus gave this man a chance to repent and follow him. But the love of money is the root of all evil. 1Tim.6:10. This next saying of Jesus is widely misunderstood, but I’ll make it as simple as possible.
Luke 18:25] 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.
[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.
The eye of the needle is the needle gate to the city. At night the main gate was closed so that the city was protected. This needle gate was only big enough so that one man could pass through at a time. They would have to unload the camel outside and after the camel came through then they would have to repack it inside. In other words, you must unpack your ill- gotten gains before you can enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:28] 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.
Those that serve God will have blessings both here in this life and in life everlasting.
Luke 18:31] 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.
All the prophesies that are written in the Old Testament must come to pass. I ask you have you read them. I do my best to constantly go back to the Old to explain the New. Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53, and so much more. Back to Luke 18 and verse 34 reads.
Luke 18:34] And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
God can open eyes and God can close them. For whatever his purpose is.
Luke 18:35] And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
Speaking of eyes to see!
Luke 18:36] 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.
This man knew prophesy, and called him “Son of David”. This man had the Key of David. And great faith.
Luke 18:39] 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.
I want you to know we “follow Jesus”, we don’t go before him. This man cried for mercy, think not Jesus heard him.
Luke 18:40] 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.
Faith is our cry for mercy. Jesus hears all prayers and Jesus always hears his children’s cry’s. Our blessings from God, that we can come to him, and be heard, and follow Him.
Luke 18:43] And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
Praise the Glory of our God, for this is why He came to us. That we love Him, that we come to Him, that we repent and are Saved by Him. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible