Luke 18

Luke 18:1

I find it interesting that, although our own judicial system has increasingly moved to restrict prayer, Jesus uses a parable set in a courtroom to teach us about prayer.

Luke 18:3

In Jesus’ time, there was no such thing as a city courthouse. Rather, a judge would travel from town to town, pitching his tent in a given location for three to five days at a time. When the judge was in their town, those with legal issues would begin to make their way toward his tent. Often, however, the needs were so great that the docket would be filled. Then, the only way a person could have his case heard would be to bribe the judge’s assistants.

Luke 18:4

This woman’s chances at being heard didn’t look very promising for three reasons. First, she was a woman in a culture where women were second-class citizens at best. Second, she was a widowwithout a husband to stand with her or open the way for her. Third, being a widow, she would have been poor. With three strikes against her, it looked like this widow didn’t have a chance to be heard. But that didn’t stop her. She came day and night before the judge, pleading and begging that her case be heard, until finally he said, “To get this lady off my back, I’ll do what she wants.”

Luke 18:6

Jesus uses the account of the widow to teach what our attitude should be in prayer. But notice, He gave this parable not so much as a parallel, but as a contrastfor our situation is entirely different. First of all, we appear not before an unjust judge, but before a loving Father. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven,” the concept of God as a Father was foreign to the Jews. Paul would go on to address God as “Abba” or “Papa” (Rom_8:15). Thus, far from being our judge, God is our loving Father, our Abba, our Papa. Second, we appear before God not as strangers, but as His children. A photographer captured on film Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia in his chambers at his massive desk when one of his grandchildren came bursting into the room. The photograph shows Scalia looking up and smiling from ear to ear. It’s amazing the access a person has with his parents. No matter how important a man might be, his son or daughter can burst into his presence anytime. That is the privilege we have as children of the God of the universe. Third, this woman was a widow. We are a bride (Rev_21:2). Big difference. A widow feels all alone, not so a bride. Fourth, the widow went alone, but we have an Advocate with the Father (1Jn_2:1). Jesus stands right beside us. Lastly, to get help the widow went to a court of law. We come to a throne of grace (Heb_4:16). Even though the widow’s situation was more difficult than those we usually face, she never gave up asking. What about us? If we know that God is a Father who loves us, that Jesus is an Advocate standing beside us, and that we are a bride invited to come to a throne of grace, why don’t we pray? Why is it that Jesus must ask, “Will I find praying faith when I come again?” People stop praying whenever they go to the Lord with a problem or a need and He doesn’t answer them speedily. “I’ve come to You, Lord, for weeks and months about this problem, and there seems to be no solution,” they say. “I’ve come for years, but there seems to be no provision. Why pray?” they finally say. They stop praying altogether, failing to understand that, because they are created in the image of God, they are composed of three partsbody, soul, and spiritand it is the spirit that is most powerfully impacted by prayer. You see, the body is that which relates to the physical world through the senses of sight and smell, touch, taste, and hearing. The soul, comprised of mind and emotions, is that which relates to people through one’s personality. But because it is the spiritthe deepest part of manthat relates to God and will live forever with Him, it is most often through the spirit that prayers are answered. The problem is that we limit our prayers to the realms of only the body or soul. We either want a physical, tangible answer to our prayers, or we want to feel better after we pray. But God knows that what we are truly craving can only be fulfilled in the realm of the spirit. “Father,” we say, “my finances are low. I need bread.” And although He is a Father who will indeed provide our daily bread, He also knows bread will not satisfy us ultimately. So He sent His Son to be Bread for us (Joh_6:35). “I need direction,” we pray. “I am the Way,” Jesus says (Joh_14:6). “I need peace,” we cry. “You’ll find peace in Me,” Jesus answers (Joh_16:33). What we think we need is rarely that for which we pray. What we need is the Lord Himself. Prayer is not to get the goods. It is to enjoy the One who is good. Prayer is not to get the gifts. It is to have fellowship with the Giver of all gifts. Prayer is not to claim the promises. It is to embrace the Person. Everything you crave is found in the Person of Jesus Christand you will discover that to be true if you pray and don’t faint.

Luke 18:9

Jewish tradition dictated that prayer be made in the temple at nine o’clock in the morning, twelve noon, and three o’clock in the afternoon.

Luke 18:11

This Pharisee wasn’t really seeking God as evidenced by the fact that he “prayed thus with himself.”

Luke 18:12

Not only would a traditional Jew pray three times a day, but he would fast twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. Not accidentally, Monday and Thursday were market days in Jerusalem, which meant that everyone could see the piety of those who came with the mussed hair and wrinkled clothes of those who fasted. With long faces they made their way into the temple to pray so everyone could see their spirituality.

Luke 18:13

“God be merciful to me a sinner,” prayed the publican. With the article “a” better translated as “the,” the publican was actually saying, “Lord be merciful to me, the ultimate sinner.” And that was all he said. We have a tendency to think our prayers are answered in direct proportion to how many times we’ve been in church, how many times we’ve had devotions, how many times we’ve given offering. But nothing is further from the truth. Prayer is not based upon merit. It’s based upon mercy. That’s what this sinner discoveredand once you learn this lesson, prayer will become a joy to you as well. Notice that the publican made no excuses for his sin. He came in total humility and simply said, “Have mercy upon me, the ultimate sinner.” He didn’t defend himself, explain his sin, justify his rebellion, or vow to do better in the future. All too often, we come before the Lord and not only say, “Forgive me,” but “I promise I’ll never do that again.” When I make those kinds of promises, I am expressing a confidence in my flesh that will prove to be an embarrassment to me down the road. I can’t promise not to sin again. Like the publican, I must simply ask the Father to have mercy upon me.

Luke 18:14

Once you understand that it is based solely upon mercy, prayer becomes a total pleasure. And when the answers come and the blessings are released and things begin to happen, guess who gets the glory. You can’t take credit because of your spirituality or discipline. You simply glorify God with humility and great appreciation as you stand in awe of His answer to your prayer and His work in your life.

Luke 18:15

After teaching on prayer, Jesus prays blessing on the children brought to Him. The Greek pronoun translated “they” is masculine, so it was the fathers who brought their children to Jesus. Dads, it is both your privilege and responsibility to bring your kids to the Lord that they might be blessed by Him. How does this happen? I believe we see the answer in Job… Knowing his kids were vulnerable to sin perhaps due to his wealth and their youth, Job sacrificed a bull on their behalf lest they forget the Lord and sin in their hearts (Job_1:5). I believe this practice is recorded in the Word as an example for you and me. I have the opportunity in the morning hour to intercede on my kids’ behalfto ask that the Lord would bless them and use them. Conversely, my failure to do so leaves them vulnerable to the attacks of the Enemy. Expend the energy, Dad. Bring your children to the Lord in prayer. It’s so important.

Luke 18:18

Jesus’ statement completely undermines the New Age mentality that says Jesus was a good Teacher, but not God. Jesus is either God, or He’s not good. Period.

Luke 18:20

Jesus gave the rich young ruler a list of commandments, but purposely did not include the last one: Thou shalt not covet.

Luke 18:22

I suggest it was because Jesus knew that covetingwanting more of that which he already had enoughwas this man’s weakness and that He was giving him the opportunity to recognize it as well.

Luke 18:23

The problem wasn’t that this man possessed riches, but that riches possessed him. Thus, Jesus wasn’t trying to make him miserable. He was trying to set him free.

Luke 18:24

Riches have a tendency to control and distract. Therefore, Jesus said, “It’s difficult for a wealthy man to enter into the kingdom because all too often, his toys and his bank account blind him to his need.”

Luke 18:26

The salvation of rich, poor, or middle-class is impossible in our own energy or efforts. Salvation for anyone and everyone requires a work of God’s supernatural grace and miraculous power.

Luke 18:28

We who are saved are part of a big family, indeed, who will care for us and stand by us. Not only that, but the riches awaiting those who invest in heaven and serve the Lord sacrificially will make them richly blessed in eternity.

Luke 18:31

Drawing closer to the city of Jerusalem, Jesus speaks straightforwardly to His twelve disciples. As Christopher Columbus sailed west, he actually kept two logbooks. One contained false information that showed them closer to land than they actually were. This was the book made available to the crew in hopes that they wouldn’t lose hope in ever seeing land again. The other book, showing their true location, was the one Columbus used. Columbus evidently decided the morale of the crew was more important than the integrity of the captain. Not so Jesus. He says to His disciples, “When we get to Jerusalem, people will reject Me and crucify Me.” But He gave hope to them as well when He said He would rise again.

Luke 18:35

In contrast to the rich young ruler who left the Lord in sadness, we’re introduced to a blind man who will follow the Lord in gladness. Notice three characteristics of this manwhom Mark identifies as Bartimaeusthat are applicable to you and me…

Luke 18:36

Bartimaeus was a man of humility. If you were in Bartimaeus’ sandals and knew Jesus was passing by, would you say, “Have mercy on me,“or would you say, “How come of all the people in Jericho, I was the one afflicted with blindness? I deserve better than this.” Isn’t the latter all too often our tendency? It is only because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed (Lam_3:22). Therefore, may God give us the wisdom of Bartimaeus to approach Him with humility.

Luke 18:39

Bartimaeus was a man of tenacity. “Pipe down,” the multitude told him. But he yelled all the louder. A living example of the parable of the woman and the unjust judge, Bartimaeus simply kept coming all the more. In prayer, in ministry, and in our walk with the Lord, this really is essential. One of the most famous pieces of music in history, “Braham’s Lullaby,” took over seven years to compose. We let go too quickly. We give up too easily. It was after Abraham patiently endured that He received the promise (Heb_6:15). The same was true of Bartimaeus.

Luke 18:40

Bartimaeus was a man of expectancy. Mark tells us that when Jesus called him, Bartimaeus left his garmenta garment beggars wore to identify them as those in need of alms. In other words, once he heard Jesus’ voice, he said in faith, “I don’t need this anymore. I’m expecting the Lord to do a work in me based upon His mercy.” You and I will either follow in the footsteps of the rich young ruler or in the footsteps of Bartimaeus. Choose those of Bartimaeus. Call out to the Lord in humility with tenacity and expectancy, knowing that to any who call upon Him, the Lord shows matchless mercy.