In today’s study our titles are; Verses 1-8 Why Pray? Verses 9-14 The parable of the Pharisee and the publican. Verses 15-17 Jesus receives children. Verses 18-30 The rich young ruler. Verses 31-34 Jesus foretells his passion. Verses 35-43 Jesus heals a blind man. 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;
Faint is to lose heart. Let’s go to Colossians 4 and verse 1 reads.
Col.4:1] Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Give thanks to the Father in heaven. Back to Luke 18, remember this is a parable that men ought to pray, and verse 2 reads.
Luke 18:2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
He was an unbeliever. Regarded means respected, he had no respect towards anyone.
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, but that this woman bothered him so much he couldn’t stand it anymore. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Now, Jesus will explain the parable.
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, and why not, only the LORD knows the heart. Besides, who can do it better than him? The parable was about God’s Elect, and how he protects his own. Now, Jesus asked if he would find faith when he comes at the second advent, the seventh trump. The answer is YES. We, the Elect, have had our eyes and ears opened for this very reason. Because we have sought the LORD and he opened our eyes. We searched his Word and he showed us Salvation, Jesus Christ. He has given us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit dwell within us and they are One. Jesus will find faith on the earth when he comes, though it be but a few, I say; Come Lord Jesus, come.
Luke 18:9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
This parable is spoken to those who think they are holier than thou. Let’s go to Isaiah 65 and verse 5 reads.
Isa.65:5] Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
This Pharisee will be one of these people who think they are holier than thou. Back to Luke 18 and verse 10 reads.
Luke 18:10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
This word publican is G5057 telōnēs pronounced tel-o’-nace. And means; A tax collector. 2. a tax gatherer, collector of taxes or tolls, one employed by a publican or farmer general in the collection of taxes. The tax collectors were as a class, detested not only by the Jews, but by other nations also, both on account of their employment and of the harshness, greed, and deception, with which they did their job. Now, remember Matthew was a tax collector also, so not all were harsh or greedy, but for the most part they were crooked, and stole money from the people.
Luke 18:11] 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.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
This hypocrite, all that he has was given to him because of tithes, he didn’t earn any of it to begin with. He was supposed to be a servant of God, what is he doing tithing, that money was given to the church. He needed to take care of the widows and the fatherless, but he himself robbed the LORD. Let’s go to Malachi 3 and verse 8 reads.
Mal.3:8] Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
[9] Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Back to Luke 18 and verse 13 reads.
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.
This publican repented, showing he was a believer and humbled himself before God.
Luke 18:14] 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.
The publican’s sins were forgiven. The Pharisee will be abased. Abased G5013, which means; To be humiliated 1. of one’s soul bring down one’s pride. Let’s go to James 4 and verse 6 reads.
James 4:6] But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Pride was the downfall of Satan, do not follow in Satan’s footsteps. Back to Luke 18 and verse 15 reads.
Luke 18:15] And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
This will make Jesus mad at his disciples because they should have known better.
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.
Now stop. Did you catch that? There is so much meaning here we are going to pause. Jesus says; For such is the kingdom of God. Kingdom; The king and his dominion, that means heaven. Then he says; Verily, that means; Truly, whosoever receives not the kingdom of God as a little child, cannot enter therein. This means; as a child loves his natural father. Have you ever seen a child look up to his father and believe everything that he says. With love he adores his father. So shall we need to look up to our heavenly Father. Back to Luke 18, we come to the rich young ruler, and verse 18 reads.
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.
Jesus was Emmanuel, God with us. The word Master should have been translated as Rabbi. He did know that Jesus taught the Word of God, he just didn’t know that he Was the Word of God.
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.
Jesus listed five of the ten commandments, from the fifth commandment to the ninth commandment. He said thou knowest these, because Jesus knows the heart.
Luke 18:21] 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.
Now we see what Jesus already knew, he lacked the tenth commandment. Thou shalt not covet. This man had filthy lucre or ill-gotten gains. He then gives him a way out, the same as he gives to us, repent and follow Jesus.
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!
Hardly means; with difficulty shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God, not that it is impossible. Jesus gave this rich young ruler a chance for repentance, and to sell all that he gained by deceit and follow him. But because of love of money, he couldn’t. Let’s go to 1Timothy 6 and verse 10 reads.
1Tim.6:10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The rich man was very sorrowful above.
1Tim.6:11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
With humbleness repent to God the Father, and follow Jesus. Back to Luke 18 and verse 25 reads.
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.
Many people do not understand this saying, but you will today. 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. Don’t worry, those that heard this didn’t understand either, but today God has opened our eyes to understand all parables.
Luke 18:26] 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.
Never forget this verse, only God can open eyes to his Word and nothing is impossible with 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.
The LORD will reward us not only in heaven, but he will also reward us with blessings while we serve him on earth.
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.
The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Rev.19:10. Jesus tells them that all that is written of him will come to pass exactly as it was written. He is telling them that he will be crucified. Let’s go to Psalms 22 and verse 16 reads.
Psa.22:16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Written a thousand years before it ever happened. Let’s go to Zechariah 12 and verse 10 reads.
Zec.12:10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Written about five hundred years before Christ. Also, in Isaiah 53 he tells of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we’ll get there soon. Back to Luke 18 and verse 32 reads.
Luke 18:32] For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
Now Jesus is repeating prophesy to them, let’s go back to Psalms 22 and verse 7 reads.
Psa.22:7] All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying,
[8] He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Back to Luke 18 and verse 33 reads.
Luke 18:33] And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Jesus just reminded them that he would be risen on the third day. Remember when he said to the Pharisee’s the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah. Now, here is the reason his disciple’s will not remember these sayings.
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.
Jesus hid these sayings from them. For all that is written must come to pass exactly as written and possibly these disciples would prevent them from coming to pass, most likely out of love. Now, the Elect are to know the prophecies of the second advent. But because others who might not have believed in the Word of God, he has blinded them for a reason. Let’s go to 2Thessalonians 2 and verse 10 reads.
2Thes.2:10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
[13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Because we study his Word and believe in his Word, in these end times we are his Elect.
2Thes.2:14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Called is said for his Elect.
2Thes.2:15] Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
[16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
[17] Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Don’t overlook the word Work. I have always taught God’s Word with his scripture, going from the Old Testament to the New Testament. That way you hear what God says and not my opinion. Back to Luke 18 and verse 35 reads.
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:
[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 blind man knew that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Son of David, the Messiah or Christ. This blind man had the Key of David and had 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.
Notice those that went before Jesus rebuked him. We are to follow Jesus, not go before 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.
[43] And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
He received much more than his physical eyes. Jesus opened his spiritual eyes, and he followed Jesus and praised God. His faith had saved him. Glory be to God, 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