Day 303—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 303 – Luke 18  (Parables, children, eternal life, His coming death, healings)

Jesus encourages His disciples not to lose heart in their praying by telling them the parable of the Persistent Widow. She had a desperate need that she brought before a judge, but he refused to see her.  She kept coming and coming until finally he listened to her and granted her petition, saying: “…so she will not beat me down by her continual coming.”

Of course, God is not an unrighteous judge but a loving heavenly Father. Jesus said, “Will not God give justice to His elect who cry to him day and night?  Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily.”

Next, Jesus tells them the very familiar parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Tax Collector). The (self) righteous Pharisee stood tall and proclaimed how righteous he was (unlike all other law-breakers) because he fasted twice a week (not required by the Law – Leviticus 16:29-31) and gave tithes of all he got.  Meanwhile, the Publican, bowed low with his eyes to the ground, simply cried to God for mercy to the sinner he knew he was. 

“THIS man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Carrying on the same theme of humility, Jesus encouraged infants to be brought to him for blessing, telling His men, “…for such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Next, a rich, young ruler comes to Jesus. (NOTE: He possessed the three things that “wow” people today: wealth, youth, and power. And yet, he sensed something missing.)  “Good teacher, what must I DO to inherit eternal life.”

“You know the commandments,” Jesus said, naming the last FIVE of Moses’ ten commandments, which deal with our relationship with others.  “All these I have kept from my youth,” the man vowed. 

Great! “You still lack one thing. Go sell all you have and give the money to the poor. Then, come, follow me.”  But the man could not, for he was extremely rich (and loved his wealth more).  Seeing him go, Jesus was sad. “It’s difficult for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God.” (But not impossible – consider Joseph of Arimathea.)

WHO THEN CAN CAN BE SAVED?? His disciples asked. Jesus answered, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 

Then – for the third time and in more detail – Jesus foretells His coming death. “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.” 

1. “He will be delivered over to the Gentiles.

2. He will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.

3. After flogging Him, they will kill him.

4. On the third day, He will rise.”

But the disciples did not understand any of these things.

Still pressing toward Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a blind man (Bartimaeus) who cries out, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus heals the man, and he glorifies God and follows Jesus.  All who saw the miracle praise God.