I love how God's Word is truly alive; the wisdom and truth in God's Word can never be exhausted. As I was reading Chapter 18 today I was struck by how seemingly unrelated teachings all had a common thought: that of how much Jesus desires ongoing, open communication with us as we live in relationship with Him. We know that communication is such an important part of earthly relationships so it really isn't a surprise that it is so important to Jesus.
Once again Jesus uses a couple parables to teach this concept. In the first He shares about a persistent widow who keeps requesting a judge to give her justice. In the very first verse of this chapter Luke says that Jesus told this parable so that people would know they "ought always to pray and not lose heart." Keep praying! Verse 8 says "I tell you, he [God] will give justice to them [elect/believers] speedily." So if it's "speedily" why does Jesus say to keep praying and not lose heart? Because God does not always work on our timeline; God's idea of "speedily" may look very different that ours but that does NOT mean He won't answer; He will, we need to trust in the waiting.
Next Jesus talks about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector who go to the temple to pray. Here Jesus teaches that we are to be humble, not thinking that we have our own righteousness but to remember that any righteousness we have comes from a relationship with Him. Those that exalt themselves will be humbled; yet those that humble themselves will be exalted. (see Luke 1:52) Jesus continues this idea of humility when His disciples want to turn away the children, even infants, that people are bringing to Jesus. Jesus says that those that come to Him are to be like these children; humble and trusting.
Jesus then has a conversation with a rich ruler. The rich ruler asks what he needs to do to follow Jesus. Jesus first asks if the ruler follows the law and the ruler replies yes. Then Jesus says, okay, sell all you have and give it to the poor. This doesn't mean that everyone who God has blessed with wealth needs to give it all away but it does mean that they must be willing to sacrifice earthly blessings if that is what Jesus asks. The rich ruler had placed his trust and confidence in his riches here on earth and couldn't give them up for Jesus. Jesus remarks about how difficult it is for the rich to accept Him and the disciples as "Then who can be saved?" (vs. 26) Jesus gives a beautiful answer filled with hope. He says; "What is impossible with man is possible with God." (vs. 27). God can change hearts!
Lastly we see the interaction between Jesus and a blind beggar. I find it interesting that in vs. 41 Jesus asks the man "What do you want me to do for you?" (vs. 41) Jesus obviously knows everything, yet He wants us to communicate our needs and deepest desires to Him. When the man replies that he wants to see; Jesus hears the faith that the man believes Jesus can do this and so responds "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well." (vs. 42)
So how do these tie together? Jesus wants a relationship with us; He wants communication!
We are to:
- Pray persistently; trusting that God will answer.
- Be humble! Recognize and repent when we sin.
- Come as a child; in humility, fully trusting Jesus.
- Not put our confidence in earthly riches but be willing to let go and follow Jesus.
- Pray, knowing that nothing is impossible for God. He can change hearts!
- Be confident that everything in God's Word will be accomplished. (see vs. 31)
- Communicate our needs & desires to Jesus. He wants to hear it all!!
- Glorify God for all He does; be a light to the world pointing them to Him. So that just like those who heard the beggar's story and praised God; may those that we encounter see God's work in our life and give Him the praise. (see Matthew 5:16)
Titles used for Jesus:
- Son of Man (vs. 8, 31)
- Son of David (vs. 38, 39)
It is a beautiful, humbling and overwhelming thought that we serve a God Who is so powerful He can create worlds with just a word; yet desires to have such intimate, loving, ongoing communication with us!
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