Luke 18:1-17

In light of Jesus’ teachings concerning the trials and hardships which await those who follow God (17:25), Jesus speaks a parable to His disciples “that man ought to pray and not lose heart” (18:1). Since He knew that His followers would face intense persecution and opposition throughout their ministry, Jesus reveals that the key to enduring hardship is continual prayer. To teach about this concept, Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge who had no concern for God or man (18:2) and also a woman who had been wronged by someone in the city (18:3a). The woman wanted the judge to take swift action and bring judgment upon her adversary (18:3b), but the judge “would not for a while” (18:4a). It seems like the woman would not take “no” for an answer so she kept on begging the judge to intervene in her situation until he finally said, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (18:4b-5). Jesus used this woman’s persistence as an example of how His followers should respond during trials. Instead of giving up or maybe even blaming God, Jesus challenges them to have faith which leads them to cry out to God for help (18:6-7). If this judge, who was unjust, could respond to the continual plea of a woman, how much more will God, who is perfect, respond to those who love Him? (18:8). Jesus then poses a piercing question, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (18:8b); in other words, at Jesus’ return, will He find people who have the kind of faith in God that causes them to beg for something until He responds?

Luke then writes concerning another one of Jesus’ parables that He spoke “…to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (18:9). Obviously, the people best known for their arrogance and pride in spiritual matters were the Pharisees and they would often compare themselves to others thinking that they were much more spiritual. In order to confront this false perception, Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and tax collector, who both went to the temple to pray (18:10). The pious Pharisee prays, “‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (18:11-12). In contrast to the prayer of the Pharisee, Jesus describes the actions of the tax collector by saying, “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’” (18:13). What’s the difference between the prayer of the Pharisee and the prayer of the tax collector? The Pharisee trusted in his own good deeds instead of recognizing that he stood unrighteous before God, while the tax collector knew that regardless of his actions he was a sinner in the sight of God. Humility is the key to unlocking God’s favor. Jesus declared that “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (18:14). Luke then places a couple words here to follow up on the importance of approaching God in humility. It appears that some parents brought their children to see Jesus and be blessed by Him, but the disciples turned them away (18:15); however, Jesus demanded that the children be brought to Him and He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (18:16). Children have a sense of excitement, anticipation, humility, and dependence which are necessary attitudes if adults wanted to enter the kingdom of God (18:17).

Dear God, may I be persistent in prayer and humble in my actions.