Luke 18:31-43

SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME

Keywords 18:38

He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

1. Everything written will be fulfilled (31-34)

 Jesus had told his disciples he would be rejected, betrayed, killed, and raised to

life (9:22; 43-45). Now, as Jesus neared Jerusalem, he emphasized the fulfillment

of the prophets’ words and the role of the Gentiles who would torture and kill him.

Everyone was blind to who he really was—some due to ignorance, others due to

willful rejection. The disciples believed Jesus was the Messiah. Although they did

not understand, they followed.

 

2. “Your faith has healed you” (35-43)

 Jesus approached Jericho while heading to Jerusalem. A blind man persistently

called out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Others tried to silence him, but

he knew this was his only chance. There were many things he did not know or

understand. But one thing he believed: Jesus is the Messiah who can open the

eyes of the blind! Jesus stopped his procession to meet this man and heard his

plea for mercy. The blind man received his sight by faith in Jesus. The man was

now free to follow Jesus, like the disciples.

 

Prayer Father, you have revealed Jesus as the Messiah. Although I do not

understand everything, help me to follow him by faith today.

One Word Open my eyes to see Jesus

Luke 18:15-30

WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Keywords 18:22b

Then come, follow me.

 

1. Receive the kingdom like a little child (15-17)

 Jesus’ disciples knew their master was on his way to Jerusalem for important

work, so they were bothered that parents were bringing their babies to be blessed

by him. But Jesus was not bothered; instead, he welcomed the babies and turned

them into an example. Little children are needy; they receive only what is given.

So must it be with the kingdom of God. Only those who come to Jesus to receive

it as simply as a child will enter the kingdom of God.

 

2. Salvation is possible with God (18-30)

 A rich ruler wanted to inherit eternal life by doing some good thing. Jesus

challenged him with the Law. He had kept it since he was a boy. But then Jesus

told him to sell everything and give to the poor. Jesus wanted him to have treasure

in heaven and be free to follow Jesus! But the rich man could not do this. His

hope was still anchored in what he had. Jesus lamented that it was impossible

for the rich to enter God’s kingdom, like a camel threading a needle. But God has

made salvation possible through Jesus. Those who surrender and follow him, like

the disciples, would receive not only blessings in this life but eternal life in the age

to come.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for making a way to enter your kingdom. Help me follow

Jesus simply.

One Word Follow Jesus to receive God’s kingdom

Luke 18:9-14

HUMBLE PRAYER

Keywords 18:14

"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."

 

1. A Pharisee’s confi dence in himself (9-12)

Jesus saw that some people were confident of their own righteousness and

looked down on others. So, he told a parable of a Pharisee’s prayer in the

temple. While thanking God, he listed how great he was compared to others.

His confidence in his righteousness was based on his deeds: fasting and tithing.

These are good things, but Jesus said they cannot justify oneself before God.

2. A tax collector’s plea for God’s mercy (13-14)

In great contrast, the tax collector stood apart, knowing he was far from God’s

righteousness. In remorse over his selfish condition, he beat his breast. His

attention was not on himself or others, but on God. He remembered God’s mercy,

and cried out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus declared this man was

justified before God, not the Pharisee. Jesus teaches us to be humble before God

in our prayer, not exalting ourselves. When we do so, there is room for God to

work his mercy in our lives and exalt us.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for your mercy. Help me pray and humbly ask for your

mercy, as I am a sinner.

One Word Humble prayer asks for mercy

Luke 18:1-8

ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP

Keywords 18:1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

 

1. “Grant me justice against my adversary” (1-5)

In view of the hardship coming on the earth (17:30-36), Jesus wanted his

disciples to have prayerful faith. In his parable, the widow is powerless and

completely at the mercy of an unjust judge. Justice, for her, was a matter of life

and death. Yet it seemed impossible to obtain since the judge did not fear God

and controlled the situation. But she did not give up! Her persistence in bringing

her plea to him eventually wore him down. She never wavered in her pursuit

of justice. This wicked judge was completely moved by her, even to fear, so he

yielded, finally granting her justice.

 

2. “Will he find faith on the earth?” (6-8)

Jesus’ point is this: God is not like the unjust judge! If such a wicked man is

persuaded to grant justice, how much more will God bring about justice for his

chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night! God will surely grant justice; there

can be no doubt about that. But Jesus wonders: When he comes, will he find faith

on the earth, faith that cries out to God day and night? Let’s do so starting today.

Prayer Father, thank you that you are not like the unjust judge but hear and

answer our crying out prayer faithfully. Help me pray and not give up.

One Word Don’t give up; Pray!

Luke 17:20-37

JESUS’ COMING WILL BE LIKE THE LIGHTNING

Keywords 17:24

For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.

 

1. The kingdom of God is in your midst (20-25)

Pharisees sought a political, messianic kingdom and, so, rejected Jesus. As a

result, they were completely ignorant that the kingdom of God was already “in

your midst!” But the disciples were different. They knew who Jesus was (9:20).

But he would not be with them forever. He would suffer and be taken from them,

and they would long for even one more day with him. Thus, Jesus gave them hope

and a sign so they won’t fall for false messiahs: When Jesus comes again, it will

not be humble and unobserved but powerful like lightning, witnessed by all! In

this, we have hope to endure.

 

2. In the days of the Son of Man (26-37)

How should we live as we await that day? Using the backdrop of the days

of Noah and the days of Lot, Jesus tells his disciples (including us) not to be

deceived into living like that day isn’t coming. Instead, like Noah who entered

the ark, we are to enter Jesus’ salvation, and like Lot left Sodom, we are called

to leave the life of sin. On that day, possessions won’t matter, only a life lived for

Jesus and his kingdom will preserve our lives.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me this truth. Help me yearn for Jesus’

coming and remain faithful.

One Word Come Lord Jesus!

Luke 17:11-19

A THANKFUL SAMARITAN

 Keywords 17:16

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan.

 

1. “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (11-14)

Jesus was going to Jerusalem to lay down his life for the sin of the world. He

traveled the lonely border with Samaria. Jews avoided Samaritans, but leprosy

made that distinction irrelevant to these ten men. Together they cried out for

mercy. Jesus immediately commanded them to obey God’s law: “Go to the priest.”

All ten obeyed and all were cleansed! Jesus is compassionate to all people.

 

2. “Where are the other nine?” (15-19)

Although all ten were healed, only one came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. This man was a Samaritan,

suggesting the other nine were Jews. They may have felt obedience was enough

and so deserved healing. But this man recognized Jesus as God and was

overwhelmed by God’s grace and mercy to him. Jesus was sorry for the other nine

and their unthankful hearts. This man alone received Jesus’ personal blessing:

“Your faith has made you well.” The others’ skin was clean, but their hearts were

still leprous.

 

Prayer Father, I do not want only surface healing but to be truly well from the

inside out and to know you as Lord and Savior. Help me to come to Jesus

with humble thanksgiving for his grace today.

One Word Give thanks to Jesus for his mercy

Luke 17:1-10

YOU MUST FORGIVE THEM

Keywords 17:4

If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

 

1. “Increase our faith!” (1-6)

Jesus knows our weaknesses and the stumbling blocks in this world, so he says:

“watch yourselves!” There is no excuse for those who cause others to sin. But

when others sin against us, we want to tie a millstone around their neck. Jesus

expects us to unconditionally forgive them. To this the apostles cry out: “Increase

our faith!” Unless Jesus gives them more faith, they cannot obey. Jesus explains

that the size of faith is not important; even small faith can uproot fixed things. The

quality of our faith is what matters. What kind of faith should we have?

2. We have only done our duty (7-10)

Jesus gives an illustration of a servant who serves his master without expecting

to being served himself. He knows his place and does his duty. We are those

saved by the grace of Jesus, unworthy as we are. He forgives all our sins,

transforms us into his image, and allows us to work with him for his kingdom

purpose. An attitude of humble obedience to “watch ourselves” and “forgive

them” is only our duty. This is the quality of faith Jesus expects.

 

Prayer Father, although I am unworthy, you forgive me. Help me humbly obey

you by watching myself and forgiving others by faith today.

One Word Forgive others by faith in Jesus