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Welcometo Pastor's Chat. I prerecorded the chat for today in my office in NorthCarolina, but today I’m actually in Kingsland, Georgia, celebrating mygranddaughter Kaitlyn’s high school graduation. Both this chat and Sunday’s wasdone there, but I still wanted to share this wonderful passage from Lukechapter 19.
InLuke 19, Jesus sent the disciples to find a colt to ride into Jerusalem. Wecall this Palm Sunday, marking the last week of Jesus’ ministry before Hiscrucifixion on Friday and resurrection the following Sunday. We will be goingthrough this week in the final chapters of Luke. Jesus is preparing to enterJerusalem and needs a colt. This is the only place in the New Testament whereJesus allows a celebration of Himself as the Messiah. There are several reasonsfor this.
First,He’s fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah 9, riding in on adonkey. To us, a donkey might not seem exciting, but in those days, it was abeast used for royalty, for a king to ride into town triumphantly as the crowdcelebrated. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds celebrate Him as the Messiah,shouting, “Hosanna in the highest!” In verse 35, it says, “And as he went, manyspread their clothes on the road.” Then, in verse 37, as He was drawing nearthe descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began torejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they hadseen.
Imagine,for three and a half years, Jesus has been healing the sick, raising the dead,giving sight to the blind, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, preachingthe kingdom, and casting out demons. The word has spread, and people arelooking for a deliverer, a king to free them from Roman rule. They’re hopingfor someone like Moses to lift the Roman oppression. So they praise God,saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heavenand glory in the highest!”
It’sinteresting—the Gospel of Luke begins with the angel proclaiming, “Peace onearth and goodwill toward men.” Now the people are saying, “Peace in heaven andglory in the highest,” celebrating not only peace on earth but also peace inheaven with the King of glory. Because the King was rejected, there could be nopeace on earth. Instead, there would be constant bitter conflict between thekingdom of God and the kingdom of evil (Luke 12:49-53). There would be no peaceon earth but, thanks to Christ's work on the cross, there is "peace withGod" in heaven (Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:20). The appeal today is, "Be yereconciled to God!" (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
SomePharisees in the crowd told Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” But Hereplied, “I tell you, if these should keep silent, the stones would immediatelycry out.” As He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it—a moment we’llexplore tomorrow. For now, Jesus allows this great celebration as the peopleproclaim the King has come.
Thesecond reason for this celebration is that Jesus knew it would provoke theJewish leaders to a point where they could no longer tolerate Him. In verse 47,it says that as He was teaching daily in the temple, the chief priests,scribes, and leaders of the people sought to destroy Him. They had alreadytried to stone Him or throw Him off a cliff, but it wasn’t time yet. Now,during Passover week, Jesus, the Passover Lamb, fulfills the Old Testamentprophecies. This is why He allows this demonstration, letting the crowdproclaim Him as the Messiah, the King who has come.
God’stiming is always perfect and every prophecy concerning Jesus was fulfilled! Todaywith faith and great confidence we can believe that Jesus is indeed the Son ofGod and by believing we have life through His name!
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Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we're looking at Luke chapter 19. Yesterday, we talkedabout Jesus sending two of His disciples ahead when He was at the Mount ofOlives to go to a village and find a colt tied by a door. Mark's gospel says itwas where two ways met. Today, I want to talk about divine appointments.
Thatcolt tied by the door is a beautiful picture of a sinner tied by their sins,right outside the door of salvation, where two roads cross—one leading todestruction, the other to life. What a picture of how God wants us to go outand find people that He is working in, preparing their hearts to come to JesusChrist.
It’sa mystery to me how we have the Great Commission to share the gospel with everycreature, yet at the same time God is sovereignly working in people’s hearts,preparing them to receive it. Sometimes He uses trials, troubles, ordifficulties; sometimes it’s His providential care that brings them to a senseof needing something they don’t have, something money or family can’t provide.They feel a deep dissatisfaction with life and are searching for truth. God isworking in their lives, and He needs someone to tell them about Jesus.
Thinkof Cornelius, the centurion who was a good, godly man in a sense—he prayed andgave alms, yet he didn’t know Jesus. An angel told him to find Peter, who wouldshare what he needed to do. The angel couldn’t share the gospel, but Peter wasavailable, and the Holy Spirit sent him to deliver the message to Cornelius.
Ialso think of Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, in Genesis 24 that was sent to find abride for Isaac. Abraham told him not to take Isaac to the land he was going tobut to find a bride and bring her back. If she wouldn’t come, Eliezer would befree from his oath. We’re like that servant, sent by God to find a bride for Christ.Eliezer came to a well where Rebekah was drawing water. He prayed, asking Godto show him the right woman for his master’s son, and when Rebekah offered todraw water for him and his camels, his prayer was answered. He worshipped,saying, “I, being in the way, the Lord led me.” (Genesis 24:27).
Myfriend, there are people everywhere waiting for someone to tell them aboutJesus. God has prepared their hearts—they’re like that colt tied by the door ofsalvation, just a step away from eternal life. They need someone to loose themwith the power of the resurrection message of Jesus Christ. Paul said, “I’m notashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ; it’s the power of God unto salvation toeveryone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Wednesday,I was out with a friend named Ben, having lunch. Our waitress kept coming toour table, and we had the opportunity to invite her to Ben’s church, and also tellher about the Lord. She promised to come with her husband. I believe everywherewe go, there’s someone waiting to hear about God’s kindness and Christ’s love,someone we can show the way to salvation.
Divineappointments—I’ve had them all my life. On planes, in hotel rooms, at restaurants,at gas stations, on my neighborhood streets, at sports events, and many otherplaces! How exciting it is to look back and see what the Lord did when we werejust in the way, and He directed our steps. The same can be true for you today.Trust the Lord—there’s someone waiting for you to untie them and bring them toJesus. When Jesus sat on that colt, that had been never ridden before,everything was fine. Jesus can change a life and still does today.
Itrust you will be looking for a divine appointment today. Someone is waitingfor you!
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Todayas we look at this passage in Luke 19, we need to remember that in the lastseveral chapters, Jesus has been on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples. Heis giving His last lessons and messages, teaching them things about the comingkingdom. Now, on this particular occasion, in verse 28, it says, "Andwhen he had said this, He went ahead, going up to Jerusalem." Webelieve this is Jesus' last trip to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified. Theevents we read about here in verses 28 and following take place on what we callPalm Sunday. Over the next several dayswe will be talking about the events of this week leading up to his crucifixion.
Thisevent takes place on the east side of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. Jesussends two of His disciples to a nearby village to loose a colt that is tied by “adoor outside, where two ways met.” Of course this event is about what takesplace on Palm Sunday, but I think the great lesson here is, especially as wewere looking at the previous parable Jesus just gave about the ten minas thatwas given to the ten servants by their master (vv. 11-27), He was talking abouthow we, as the servants of Jesus, have been entrusted with the Word of God,with the seed of God's Word, and we are to take this seed to the world. We areto invest it in the lives of others, showing them the way to Jesus.
Thenwe have Luke recount this event that takes place. You also read this event indetail in the Gospel of Mark chapter 11. In Mark chapter 11, it talks about howJesus sends two of His disciples. You have a great illustration and applicationof how Jesus sends out His disciples two by two. The Bible teaches us that weshould have a companion to go with us as we share the gospel with others. Thereare many reasons for that.
Aswe go out two by two, we are to find a colt that's tied by the door. I love howMark's Gospel says it: “They went their way and found a colt tied by thedoor, outside in a place where two ways met, and they loosed him.” Thiscolt represents a lost sinner. It was a colt that had never been ridden, agreat picture of a sinner who is lost in his sins. He is tied by the door, andisn't it interesting that Jesus says, "I am the door"? He's tied by adoor that's outside. The people who are lost are tied to sin, outside the doorof salvation, Jesus Christ.
Theyare also in a place where “two ways met”. This is a place of decision. Youeither go to heaven from here, or you go to hell. When you meet Jesus Christ,you have to make a choice: Is He indeed the Christ, the Messiah, the Son ofGod, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, or is He justsomeone else you don't care to know? If you decide that He is Jesus the Christ,the Son of God, my friend, you want to be loosed from the bondage of your sin.And you need someone to bring you the power of the Gospel Word to loose you.
So,what should we be doing as servants and disciples of Jesus Christ? We should beobeying Him, going to the place where two roads meet, a crossroads for a lostsinner tied to his sin. Our job is to share the good news of Jesus Christ,loose him, and bring him to Jesus. Jesus said, "I have need ofhim."
Oh,my friend, Jesus has need of every lost sinner, who is someone who will bring Himglory, praise, and honor like no one else can. And serve Him to bring others toChrist also. Today, let's apply these scriptures to our lives and be like thesedisciples who went and did as the Lord told them. We have been given the GreatCommission also. We are sent by Jesus to loose a tied colt today! He or she isat the crossroad of decision! Be looking for him or her as you go!
Yesterday,my friend Ben and I had the opportunity to begin “loosing” a tied colt (awaitress), as we were eating lunch at a local restaurant. How exciting!!!!
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John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."
Hetells the parable of the nobleman and the 10 servants to whom he gives a minaeach. The one servant who kept the one mina says, "Oh,I knew you were a stern master, so I hid it in the ground, and here it is; Igive it back to you." The master says, "I'm judging you out ofyour own mouth. You should have at least put it in the bank, and then when Icame, I could have had it with some interest." This servant did notget rewarded; in fact, what he had was taken from him and given to the man whohad 10 minas.
Ibelieve what the Lord is clearly teaching us here is that one day He is comingagain. He is a Master who will come and reward his faithful servants one day. InRomans 14 Paul teaches that we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. “…For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:"As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongueshall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself toGod.” (Romans 14:10-12) Don't waste your time judging one another, tryingto figure out who's right and who's wrong. Serve the Lord; he is Lord of all.Whether we live or die, we live unto the Lord, and one day we will stand beforehis judgment seat, and each one of us will give an account of himself to theLord.
1Corinthians 3:5-15 teach basically the same thing, telling us we will give anaccount for each work we've done. There are works that abide and those thatdon't in the fire of judgment at the judgment seat of Christ. I believe thisjudgment takes place at the end of the tribulation period, just before themillennial reign of Christ. There the rewards will be passed out to thosewho've been faithful to serve the Lord and reign with Him. If we suffer with Him,we will reign with Him in His millennial 1,000-year reign, as He sits upon thethrone of David in Jerusalem and rules over the earth. We come back with Him torule and reign, and the reward will be determined by our performance now. (2 Timothy2:12; Revelation 19:11-16).
Butnot just by what we do, though, because the scripture teaches every work willbe judged, whether it's good or bad, whether it's gold, silver, or preciousstones, or whether it's wood, hay, and stubble. In other words, what we do ordon't do for Christ and through Christ alone. Remember in John 15 Jesus said, "Withoutme, you can do nothing." Our motives for our service will be judged atthat time, and we'll be rewarded accordingly. We all have been given the onemina, the Word of God, and we can determine, by the grace of God through thepower of the Holy Spirit abiding in us, to serve faithfully. I love what 1 John2:28 says: "Abide in me, little children." It says, "Ifyou abide in Him, you will be confident and not be ashamed at His coming."We're to “study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need notbe ashamed” (2 Timothy 3:15).
Manyof us will stand at the judgment seat of Christ and be ashamed! I believe manyChristians think that if they're saved, they will go to heaven, and everyonewill be happy all the time. But my friend, there will be a time of accountingwhen we stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and every work will be judged.Read 2 Corinthians 5:7-11. It says we will all stand before the judgment seatof Christ, and there it also says, “…knowing the terror of the Lord, wepersuade men”. Paul knew and talked about that judgment seat.
So,we need to understand what Jesus is teaching here in Luke 19. He says, "Listen,you need to make sure you serve me faithfully now, and serve me with the rightmotive, and your reward will be great in heaven."
Andmy friend, in the Millennial reign of Christ on earth, you will also rule andreign with him. Please take time to lookthe above verses up.
Godbless!
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Inthe first 10 verses of Luke 19, we meet Jesus as the Savior who seeks the lostand we have the story of Zacchaeus, the rich tax collector who comes to faithand salvation through Jesus Christ. Then, in verse 11, we meet the master whorewards faithful servants. My friend, that's who Jesus is. He is the Savior,but he's also the master who expects us to be faithful servants.
Itsays in verse 11, "Now as they heard these things, he spoke anotherparable because he was near Jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdomof God would appear immediately." Jesus is at the end of His three anda half years of earthly ministry. He's on his way to Jerusalem with hisdisciples, preaching, sharing, doing miracles, and healing people. He knowsthat He's going to be crucified, but the disciples and many others believe He isgoing to Jerusalem to set up his kingdom.
Atthat time in the Jewish world, there were subversive groups like the Zealotswho used commando tactics against Rome. There were also the Herodians, Jewishpoliticians who compromised their faith to rule with the Romans over the Jewishpeople in the land of Israel. Then, you had the common people, the majority,who were looking for the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies for theMessiah, the King to come and set up His kingdom.
That'swhy this verse says that as Jesus neared Jerusalem, He told this parablebecause they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. They werethinking Jesus is this possible king, the Prophet prophesied in the OldTestament, the Messiah who's come to give us a deliverer. This was at the timeof Passover, and people were flooding into Jerusalem by the thousands. Theywere looking for a deliverer, just like the Passover represented beingdelivered out of Egypt when God gave them a deliverer, Moses. Now they believedthat one like Moses would come and deliver them from the Roman rule. Theythought Jesus was that deliverer.
Jesusthen tells them this story, beginning in verse 12, about “a certain noblemanwho went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. Hecalled 10 of his servants, delivered to them 10 minas, and said to them,"Do business till I come." But his citizens hated him and sent adelegation after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign overus." When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded theseservants to whom he had given the money to be called to him that he might knowhow much every man had gained by trading.”
Jesusis presenting a picture here. It's interesting that there were 10 servants towhom he gave 10 minas, money. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the parable ofthe talents, and the master giving different amounts,5 to one, two to another,and one to one, to three servants. That was a picture of the gifts God giveseach of us to serve Him, and how we use those gifts will be held accountable.But here, he gave the same amount of money to ten servants and then tells howat least three of them were held accountable. We believe the application isthat Jesus gave the Word of God to all His followers today to share witheveryone we can, and we're going to be held accountable for it.
Thelesson here is that God expects us to be faithful with whatever He gives us,and He will hold us accountable for our faithfulness and obedience with thegifts and the Word of God that we're to share with those around us. May theLord help us to learn this lesson well.
Itrust you will use the Spiritual gifts that God's blessed you with and also sharethe Word of God with whoever crosses your path today.
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Here in Luke 19, Jesusis giving us this story of a rich man getting saved and making sure weunderstand what's impossible with men is possible with God. If you go back to Luke18, you might remember the rich young ruler who came running to Jesus and leftvery sorrowful. Jesus then made the statement, "How hard it is forthose who have riches to enter the kingdom of God."
The rich man in Luke 18came running to Jesus, but this man, Zacchaeus, ran ahead of Jesus because hesought to see Him. He was small of stature and had to climb up into a sycamoretree. We go by a sycamore tree whenever we go to Jericho, visiting the HolyLand, and we always get out and take a picture right there in the middle of thecity of Jericho. They believe it's possible that this very tree is from theroots of the tree that Zacchaeus might have climbed up. I don't know, but it'salways great to see that tree and think of the story about Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus ran ahead,and my friend, I think about how it says Jesus came to the place where he was. Zacchaeusset himself in the place where God's grace would come by. My friend, I'm goingto tell you, you're more apt to find Jesus at church than you are in a bar orout doing some wicked, evil deed. When you put yourself in the place of God'sgrace, that's when God's grace will pass by you. This place is called humility.Zacchaeus humbled himself. Jesus said, "If you're going to become rich andenter the kingdom of God, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is thekingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). You want to inherit heaven, you must humbleyourself and become like a beggar.
So here's a rich manrunning ahead, putting himself in the place of God's grace. Jesus is going topass that way. How do you put yourself in the place of God's grace? I wouldencourage you, if you're struggling to find salvation, read the Gospel of John,study the Gospel of John, hang out with some believers who love Jesus Christ,talk to people who want to talk about the Lord, put yourself in the place ofGod's grace, get away from those who are leading you into sin and continuing toencourage you to sin. This man ran away, he humbles himself, he climbs in thetree, and I love it. It says, "When Jesus came to the place, he looked upand saw him and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down."
Interestingly, Jesuslooked up. When we read the scriptures, God is looking down from heaven. Jesuswas in heaven, but one day, and he leftthe splendors of glory. “He who was rich became poor”. He became poor,and now he looks up to where Zacchaeus is. My friend, it is because Jesushumbled himself and became a man, became a servant, and became obedient even tothe death of the cross, that we can experience His grace of salvation (Philippians2:5-11).
Then Jesus makes thestatement, "Salvation has come to this man's house today because he isa son of Abraham." There was evidence of Zacchaeus' salvation. Hegives half his goods to the poor. He didn't have to give that much back to thepoor, but he did. Why? Because when a man meets Jesus Christ and the grace ofGod comes into his life, everything changes. We become new creatures in ChristJesus. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians5:17). A son of Abraham means he is a “son of faith” (Romans 4:12; Galatians3:7).
Today, will you putyourself in the way of God’s grace? “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Callupon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
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Todaywe are looking at one of the most exciting stories in the New Testament. I liketo call it the story of a little big sinner. That's the story of Zacchaeus, aman who comes seeking Jesus as Jesus is seeking him. What a wonderful story.This is probably one of the favorite stories of little children in Sundayschool growing up, with the great song, "Zacchaeus was a wee little man,and a wee little man was he. And one day, Jesus passed his way.”
InLuke 19:1, Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now remember, Jericho wasthe Las Vegas of Christ's day. It was the place where gambling, prostitutes,and where the mafia had their headquarters, so to speak. It was a bad place,and Jesus entered and passed through. Jesus is ready to pass through yourplace, no matter who you are or where you are. Jesus is seeking sinners, aswe’ll see in the first 10 verses of this chapter.
Behold,there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and he was rich.Zacchaeus was Jewish, and his name means "righteous one," but he wasanything but righteous. He was not only a tax collector but the chief taxcollector, maybe even Matthew’s boss at one time. Perhaps after Matthew becamea follower of Christ, he was burdened for Zacchaeus and prayed for him. NowZacchaeus has a prepared heart. He was rich, from collecting taxes for theRoman government while cheating people and taking more than he was supposed to.But his wealth did not bring him satisfaction or peace.
Hesought to see who Jesus was but could not because of the crowd, for he was ofshort stature. He was a little guy, not very tall. Because of the crowd, hecouldn’t get to Jesus. That’s true today—many people are kept from Jesusbecause of the crowd leading them the wrong way, telling them the lies of theworld. My friend don’t let the crowd keep you from Jesus. Don’t follow amultitude to do evil. Zacchaeus couldn’t see over the crowd or well enough tosee who Jesus was and what He was doing. He was curious, so he ran ahead andclimbed into a sycamore tree to see Him, knowing Jesus would pass that way. Ilike to say that Zacchaeus put himself “in the way of Grace”.
Jesuswould like to pass your way if you’re looking for Him. Zacchaeus, a man,becomes like a child. In the days of Christ, and even today, rich men don’trun—they walk with dignity and pride. But this man humbles himself. Not onlywas he small in stature, but he humbled his heart and became small in his ownsight. Remember in Luke 18, Jesus said, “Unless you become like a child, youcan’t enter the kingdom of God,”
WhenJesus came to the place, He looked up, saw him, and said, “Zacchaeus, makehaste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste,came down, and received Him joyfully. This chapter illustrates Ephesians 2:8-9as well as anywhere in the Bible: “For by grace are you saved through faith,and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any manshould boast.”
Theone thing that keeps people from coming to Jesus is pride. A seeking sinnerwill always find a seeking Savior. I don’t fully understand how Jesus seeks uswhile something happens to humble our hearts, and we begin to seek Him. But Iknow that it is the work of God’s marvelous grace, which only takes place whenwe humble ourselves. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James4:6). Only by grace can you be saved and begin to have a heart that seeksJesus.
Here’sa rich man who has need of nothing, but he’s lonely inside, has no friends, andpeople don’t like him. He’s a sinner, but Jesus loves sinners. What a greatstory. Today, I don’t know who you are, where you’re at, or what’s going on inyour life, but Jesus, by His grace, is ready to pass your way.
Areyou looking for Him? If you’re looking, you will find Him, and He’ll find you.
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Today,we're looking at Luke chapter 18, specifically verses 35-43, the last verses ofthe chapter. Jesus began this chapter by teaching about prayer, that men oughtalways to pray and not to faint. He gave us several stories about prayer. Inthese last verses Jesus teaches us that the prayer that always turns the ear ofGod to see our need, and give us the miracle that we need, is the “desperate prayer”.Now, as Luke ends this chapter, he points out a certain man who was a beggarand blind, who came to Jesus.
Inthis chapter, we've seen contrasts between different people and situations.Here, we see the contrast between this beggar who was blind and the rich manwho came to Jesus. Matthew's and Mark's gospels tell us there were two beggars,but in the Gospel of Luke, it appears Luke loves to point out how Jesus isinterested in the individual. It didn't matter if there were a hundred sheep;he's interested in one. If there are ten pieces of silver, there's one. Ifthere are two sons, there's one. If there are two beggars, here in Luke's Gospel,there's one. God is interested in you. He knows your need. He wants you to cryout to him.
Ifthere's anything we learn about prayer in this chapter, it's that men oughtalways to pray. We're not to pray like the Pharisee, but we come desperately toJesus. The rich young ruler came, thought well of himself, and bragged abouthis goodness. This beggar wouldn't be quiet when he heard Jesus was passing by.He was desperate for his need to be healed and would cry out, even when peopletold him to be quiet. That's another thing you learn from this chapter: thewidow in the first verses of the chapter kept crying out, even though the judgewouldn't listen. The beggar, even though people told him to be quiet, cried outanyway.
Ilove the contrast here, and we're encouraged to cry out in desperation. TheScripture says, "You shall seek me and find me when you have searchedfor me with all your heart." That's how you come to Jesus; that's howyou come in faith, believing. This man was blind and acknowledged it. He had nospecial merits to cry out and say, "Oh, I've been good; I've donethis." He had nothing. He came empty and went away rich. The rich man camevery rich and left eternally poor.
Myfriend, there's so much we learn from this. I encourage you today: you mightfeel like you have nothing, no merits to come to Christ, or that you've lived alife that merits none of his grace. But you can come in your desperation. If Iknow and have learned one thing from my years of ministry it is that God hearsthe prayers of desperate people. Honestly, I don't know if we really pray untilwe get desperate. The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much because wemeet Jesus where He is, and we cry out to Him.
The"human stories” we have "read" in this chapter should also encourageus to put our faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what others may say or do. Thewidow was not discouraged by the indifferent attitude of the judge, nor thepublican by the hypocritical attitude of the Pharisee. The parents broughttheir little ones to Jesus in spite of the selfish attitude of the Apostles,and the blind men came to Jesus even though the crowd told them to keep quietand stay put. Jesus always responds to faith and rewards those who believe.
Whata wonderful story to end this chapter. This poor blind beggar left rejoicing,and the people were praising God. Remember, the rich man left very sad andsorrowful. Don't leave that way, my friend. Come to Jesus, meet Him, have yourlife changed, and let Hm give you your sight.
Jesusasked this blind man, "What do you want Me to do for you?"? Theman said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." God made himpoint out his need, and Jesus met that need right where he was. I trust thatyou'll trust the Lord today to meet your need. Jesus is always ready to answerthe prayer of a desperate person!
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Today,we will continue looking at the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesuslooking for salvation. He came running, knelt before Jesus, asked the rightquestion, and came to the right person—all the right things. Matthew’s gospelcalls him “young” twice, emphasizing he also came at the right time of life.That’s a good time to give your heart to Christ, but it’s never too late. Aslong as you have breath in your lungs, a beating heart, and a thinking mind,it’s time to come to Jesus.
Jesustold him to give everything he had, because he was rich, and give to the poor.The Bible says when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was veryrich. Jesus saw he was sorrowful and said, “How hard it is for those whohave riches to enter the kingdom of God. It’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those whoheard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which areimpossible with men are possible with God.”
Petersaid, “We have left all and followed you.” Jesus replied, “Assuredly I say toyou, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife orchildren for the sake of the kingdom of God who shall not receive many timesmore in this present time and in the age to come eternal life.”
WhenJesus saw the man was sorrowful, He said it’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle. I’ve heard, from my many visits to Jerusalem andBethlehem, that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has a small door youcan barely get through. They made these doors small so raiders on animalscouldn’t invade the church where everyone might be taking shelter. A camelcouldn’t get through the door with a person with any burden of wealth on it.The door was like the eye of a needle, very small making it hard for anythingto get through it. I’m not sure all thatit meant, but Jesus was saying that for a rich person, the problem is theybelieve that their wealth gives them their security.
Iread years ago, and never forgot it, that whatever becomes our source ofsecurity becomes our idol, our God that we worship. It might be a person, ajob, or money. And most often it is our money—our job, savings account, orretirement plan. If that becomes our source of security, it becomes our God,our idol. Jesus said it’s hard for a person to give up that source of security.Jesus made it clear elsewhere you can’t serve God and mammon.
Youeither serve the Lord God, finding your security in Him and your relationshipwith Jesus Christ, or you trust in your wealth. Money can go away, people die,everything can change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, andforever (Hebrews 13:8). The real source of security for eternity is Jesus andyour relationship with Him.
Jesusfinishes this passage by taking the twelve aside, saying, “We’re going up toJerusalem. All the things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Manwill be accomplished. He’ll be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted,spit upon, scourged, and killed, and the third day He will rise again.”Jesus pointed them to the cross. My friend, that’s how you come to Christ—youcome to the cross, to the suffering of the cross.
What’simpossible with men is possible with God. Salvation can take place when youcome to the cross, and your life can be totally changed. No matter how wealthy,poor, sinful, wicked, evil, or good you are. You can come to the cross and besaved.
Today,come to the cross of Jesus.
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22 So when Jesus heard thesethings, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you haveand distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,follow Me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for hewas very rich.
Today,we're looking at Luke chapter 18, verses 18-30, the story of the rich youngruler who comes to Jesus looking for salvation. In verse 17, Jesus had justmade the statement, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as alittle child will by no means enter it." You have to come to Jesuslike a child, totally dependent upon Him, hungry for Him and Him alone. In thevery first “Beatitude” Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, Fortheirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This young ruler comes toJesus is an illustration of someone who will not enter the kingdom of heavenbecause of their pride, possessions, and their wrong views of Jesus, self, sin,and also basic dishonesty.
Jesussays to this rich young ruler, "Keep the commandments", and Helists five of them: "Don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal,don't bear false witness, honor your father and mother." The manresponds, "I've done all these things since I was a youth." Hecalled Jesus "good Master," honoring the Lord with his lips, but hisheart was far from Him. He didn’t truly believe Jesus is the Son of God,despite implying it by calling Him "good Master." He also had a wrongview of his own sin, claiming he’d kept all the commandments.
Noticethat Jesus didn’t quote the last commandment, "Thou shalt not covet."He tells the man, "Go sell everything you have, give to the poor, andfollow me." The man went away very sorrowful because he had greatriches. We see that this man had a problem with covetousness, and Jesus knowinghis heart deal with that by telling him to give his wealth away.
What’simportant is that unless we come to Jesus with a heart like a child, willing inhumility to repent of our sin, our selfishness and our pride, we will notreceive the grace of God to be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 4:6). This manthought he could get saved by what he did, asking, "What shall I do toinherit eternal life?" He wasn’t looking at his heart or the need torepent of his sins. He felt he was a pretty good guy, keeping all thecommandments.
Youdon’t get to heaven by keeping the commandments. I’ve asked people over theyears, "Are you going to heaven? How do you know?" They’ll say,"I do the best I can and try to keep the commandments." But myfriend, that doesn’t take away our sin. Our problem is a sin problem, acovetous, selfish, prideful heart problem. “All have sinned and come shortof the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We must come like a child, admit inhumility that we have sinned, turn from our sin, and trust Jesus.
Scripturedoesn’t teach that it’s wrong to be wealthy. You can possess great wealth andbe a wonderful, loving Christian, making a major difference in the kingdom ofGod. But you can’t let wealth possess you. Keep your focus on kingdom work, notpersonal gain. I’ll never forget a wealthy friend who said, "I take careof God’s business, and God takes care of my business." He was one of themost giving people I’d ever met.
Keepyour focus on eternity, knowing we are sinners. The only way to heaven is torepent, turn from sin, and trust Jesus Christ as Savior. Go to the cross, wheresin was taken care of. Jesus died in our place, gave us the only parachute lefton the plane, and went down with it. But thank God, He rose again the thirdday. He’s alive, and today He can save you if you come by faith to Him.
Don’tbe like this rich young ruler who goes away “very sorrowful”. No, youcan live a happy, joyful, wonderful life in Christ when you give your heart toHim.
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18Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do toinherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Megood? No one is good but One, that is, God. 2
Lukenow tells us what we call the story of the “Rich Young Ruler” in verses 18-30.This incident takes place as Jesus is traveling with His disciples to Jerusalem.What is interesting to me is that this exact story is repeated in almost the samedetails in the first three Gospels. We find it first in Matthew 19:16-30. Nextin Mark 10:17-31 and then lastly here in Luke 18:18-30.
Mark’sGospel begins this story by telling us: “Now as He was going out on theroad, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher,what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Notice that this man came “running”,he “knelt”, he “asked” the most important question a person could ask.
Therich young ruler may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet ofJesus and went away in worse condition than when he came. And yet he had somuch in his favor! He was moral and religious, earnest and sincere, andprobably would have qualified for membership in the average church. Yet herefused to follow Jesus Christ and instead went his own way in great sorrow.
Whatwas wrong with him? In a word: dishonesty. In spite of the fact that came theright way, “he came running”, he knew his need was urgent. That he camewith the right attitude of humility, “he knelt”. That he came to theright Person, he came to Jesus, the Teacher of teachers. And that he asked theright question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” and he receivedthe right answer, he still made the wrong decision.
Why?Because he was not honest with God or with himself. Therefore, he would not dowhat he was commanded to do. He was a superficial young man who said one thingbut did another. We will consider the areas in which he was dishonest.
Firstwould be his view of Christ (vv. 18-19). Notice that he called Jesus, “Goodteacher”. I always wondered why Jesus responded by asking him, “Why doyou call me good?” The rabbis in the days of Jesus were called "Teacher”,(Master), but it was most unusual for a rabbi to be called "Good."The Jews reserved the word good for God alone (Psalms 25:8; 34:8; 86:5; 106:1).This explains why our Lord asked the young man what he meant, for if he reallybelieved that Jesus was "good," then he had to confess that Jesus wasGod.
Byasking this question, our Lord was not denying His deity but affirming it. Hewas testing the young man to see if he really understood what he had just said.His subsequent behavior proved that the young ruler did not believe that JesusChrist was God. If he really thought he was in the presence of Almighty God,why did he argue politely about the Law, brag about his character, and thenrefuse to obey the Word? Surely he knew that God sees the heart and knows allthings!
Today,the real question that should settle all the questions about Jesus andsalvation is, “Do you really believe that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh?” Thatis what the entire Gospel of John is about (John 20:30-31)! We might say thesewords in our heads and with our lips, but there if there is no change in ourlives and in our hearts, we really are being dishonest with ourselves and withGod.
Today,is a good day to ask what do you really believe about Jesus in your heart!
Godbless!
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InLuke chapter 18, Jesus begins this chapter talking about prayer, teaching aboutprayer. He's preparing His disciples for the time when they will have theresponsibility and the command to take the gospel to the far ends of the earth,and he knows a major part of accomplishing this great task will be knowing howto pray. You'll see in the first chapters of Acts how the disciples must havelistened to that lesson and learned it.
Herein Luke 18, Jesus tells us first that we're to be praying always withoutceasing, to pray and not to faint. He tells the parable about the widow whodidn't have anything, and how she goes to the unjust judge and begs, cries, andscreams for help to avenge her of her adversary. He won't listen, but finallyshe wears him down, and he says, "I'm tired of this woman doing this, andI'll finally avenge her." But God says, "Listen, I'm not like thatunjust judge, and you're not really like that widow either. I'm your heavenlyfather who cares for you. You can come running to me, and I'm ready to avengemy own that cry unto me day and night."
Thenhe goes to the story of the Pharisee who comes to the temple to pray with aproud, arrogant, self-righteous heart. He's better than everybody else, he praysto be seen by men. The Lord is teaching us not to pray like that. Then hefinishes this story by telling about the publican, the tax collector, who getson his face before God, beats his breast, and cries out, "Oh God, bemerciful to me, a sinner."
I'llnever forget the time a man came to my office and told me his wife had lefthim. He had two little children. He told me that he couldn't read or write, buthe had a good job, but now he was at the end of his rope. I said, "Well,you need to pray." He said, "I've never prayed before. I don't knowwhat to pray." I said, "Just call out to God." We bowed ourheads, and I'll never forget as it got silent for a moment, then all of asudden this man with tears cried out, "Oh God, help me." I thoughtmaybe for the first time in my life I really heard someone pray. By the nextSunday, I saw him at church, and something had happened. He came in with thiswoman by his side, introduced me his wife, and said, "It didn't take God24 hours to answer that prayer."
Jesus is now teaching us that we should pray like a child.A child has faith. We have a great grandson, his name is Keanu, almost 8 months old, and Edith and I have the responsibility anddelight to babysit him every day. I can tell you he has faith in us to holdhim, take care of him, and meet his needs. I can see his faith in his eyes, ashe trust us to hold him, feed him, watch out for him. Children are totallydependent. You're not only dependent as a child, you have faith to believeyou're going to be taken care of every day with what you need to sustain you.
Itwas customary for the Jews to bring little children to the rabbis to receivetheir special blessing, so it is strange that the disciples would stand in theway. Perhaps they thought Jesus was weary and needed rest, or they may havedecided that He was not really interested in children. How wrong they were! However,this was not the first time the disciples had attempted to get rid of people.They wanted to send the crowd away hungry, but Jesus fed them (Matt. 14:15);and they tried to stop the Canaanite woman from asking Jesus to heal herdaughter (Matt. 15:21), but Jesus answered her prayer. The Twelve did not yethave the compassion of their Master, but it would come in due time.
Jesuswants us to be childlike but not childish. An unspoiled child illustrateshumility, faith, and dependence. A child has a sense of wonder that makes lifeexciting. The only way to enter God's kingdom is to become like a child and beborn again (John 3). If the proud Pharisee had become like a child, he toowould have gone home justified.
Myfriend, we need to learn to pray to our Heavenly Father with the humility, faith,and dependence of a child!
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Jesusbegan this chapter (vv. 1-8), by telling a parable about prayer, speaking aboutthe necessity of prayer, that we ought always to pray and not to faint, and thefrequency of prayer, that we are to pray without ceasing, continuously,believing that the presence of the Lord is in our lives, knowing that He'sthere, and we have open communication with Him through Jesus Christ. Oh, howwonderful that is.
Thenin verses 9-14, Jesus is talking about the failure of prayer as He tellsanother parable. Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselvesthat they were righteous and despised others. Now, how should we pray, and whatshould our attitude be when we come to pray? First, we see this Pharisee whowas deceived. He was deceived about himself; he trusted in himself and prayedthus with himself because he wasn't praying to God, and God wasn't listening tothis kind of prayer from a proud heart. He was deceived about his pride; hethought he was better than others. He despised the sinners around him insteadof loving and caring for them.
Hethought that he could please God by his works. He fasted twice a week. Jewishlaw required fasting maybe once a year, but this man fasted twice a week. Hegave tithes down to the smallest detail of whatever he might have brought in,even from the field. Oh, he thought he was so good.
That'sjust like so many of us who think we can please God and can gain His favor byour service, when God just wants a humble heart coming to Him, totallydependent upon Him for our salvation and everything in our lives, acknowledgingthat we are sinners and deserve nothing. That's why the Bible says in Ephesians2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourworks, lest any man should boast." This Pharisee was boasting.
ThroughoutHis public ministry, Jesus exposed the self-righteousness and unbelief of thePharisees (see Luke 11:39-54). He pictured them as debtors too bankrupt to paywhat they owed God (Luke 7:40-50), guests fighting for the best seats (Luke14:7-14), and sons proud of their obedience but unconcerned about the needs ofothers (Luke 15:25-32). The sad thing is that the Pharisees were completely deceivedand thought they were right, and Jesus was wrong. This is illustrated in this parable.That’s what Jesus is doing here, exposing the hypocrisy of a man who thinkshe's religious enough to merit favor with God rather than humbling himself andcoming like a sinner.
That'swhy Jesus said this publican, this tax collector, went home justified. To bejustified means to have a right standing with God, to stand righteous beforeHim without sin, without any guilt. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore beingjustified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. We are justified by faith not by our works.Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins. This publican came with ahumble heart; the Pharisee came with a proud heart. God wants us to come humblybefore Him in prayer and not “pray with ourselves” to be seen publicly,like Matthew 6:5 says about the hypocrite, so others will see him.
I'mafraid many prayers, even in our churches today, by good, well-meaning people,are just flowery words that mean nothing to God because the person is prayingout of a motive to make sure everybody knows how religious, how special, howgood he is by all his deeds and works of service. God, help us, forgive us,cleanse us from that kind of attitude. May we come before Him with a humbleheart, trusting in the Lord for His grace and mercy today. We need to come likethis publican. He smote his breast; he knew his heart was dirty, not clean, andonly God could clean it. "Be merciful to me, a sinner"! What agreat prayer.
Itrust we will learn how to pray with frequency, with necessity, and with ahumble heart.
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Todaywe're looking at Luke 18:1-8. Jesus is teaching a lesson on how men oughtalways to pray and not to faint. We are to pray without ceasing, and here Jesusgives us a story of contrast. There is a widow who has no standing with thecourt, going to an unjust judge, asking to be avenged of her adversary. In ourfirst lesson, I said this widow is like us in some ways, but that's beforewe're saved. We have no standing with God; we are lost, hopelessly andhelplessly lost.
Butthe contrast begins when we realize what Jesus says at the end of this story: "Shallnot our Father in heaven, shall not our God avenge his own elect who cry untohim day and night?" He closes by saying, "Yes, he'll avengethem speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really findfaith on earth?"
Eventhough this widow is lost and helpless and can't find help unless she bribessomeone, which she has no money to do, the judge avenges her because she'sdriving him crazy with her screaming and yelling, "Help, help, help!"Jesus is basically saying to us, "Hey, you're not like that widow anylonger. You're a child of God, you are in the family of God, you have thepromises of God in the Bible."
Godis a great and awesome God; He loves His children, protects His children, andcares for His children. In Romans 8, we can call Him Abba, Father, dearprecious Father. We can sit in His lap; He longs for us to come into Hispresence. “If God spared not His own Son, how much more freely through Himshall He give us all things” (Romans 8:32). The unjust judge did it becausehe got weary of this woman crying to him. God is teaching us to pray withoutceasing, but remember, you have a Father who is ready, willing, able, andpowerful to answer your prayers.
ThenJesus closes this passage asking the question, "Shall He find faithwhen He comes?" In Luke 17, we see the story of Noah and the ark,where only eight people were saved. The gospel was preached, the message ofhope was preached for hundreds of years, and no one responded by faith to trustNoah's message and escape the judgment of God. Remember at Sodom and Gomorrah,only four people were saved from that destruction.
Jesusis saying, "Shall the Son of Man, when He comes, find faith on theearth?" According to 2 Timothy 3:1-7, in the last days, it will beperilous times, evil, terrible times. People will be blasphemers, haters ofGod, and haters of Christians. It's not going to get better, my friend; it'sprobably going to get worse before Jesus comes again.
ButHe's reminding us we have a heavenly Father. You don't need to bribe Him. He'sa God that doesn't have to be bribed; He has a willing heart. The Bible says “ifwe ask anything according to His will, we know that He hears us, and we canhave this confidence that whatever we ask of Him” (1 John 5:14-15). He will give it to us if it's according to Hiswill. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires ofyour heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Jesusis teaching us to pray in this passage with faith, believing we have a loving,kind, providing heavenly Father, Who, when we come to Him, will meet every needwe have. What an awesome God we have! Come to Him today in faith, believing. Weare not like the widow with no standing. Through Jesus Christ, we have fullaccess, and He is also our intercessor, making intercession for us (Hebrews7:25). We have the Holy Spirit making intercession according to the mind andwill of God (Romans 8:26-27).
Thereis no reason we should not be crying out to our Heavenly Father day and night,"Oh God, we need help in this evil, wicked, cruel world. We need yourprotection, your grace, your strength." We can do that today.
Let'sbe encouraged to pray always and not to quit. Our Heavenly Father is waitingfor us to come to Him!
Godbless!
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1Thessalonians 5:17 - “Pray without ceasing”.
Ifwe don't pray, we will faint; it's as simple as that! The word faint describesa believer who loses heart and gets so discouraged that he or she wants toquit. There is a connection between what our Lord said in Luke 18:1 and Hisstatement in Luke 17:37. If society is like a rotting corpse, then the"atmosphere" in which we live is being slowly polluted, and this isbound to affect our spiritual lives. But when we pray, we draw on the"pure air" of heaven, and this keeps us from fainting.
Inother words, we're living in a polluted, ungodly, wicked world, it appears tobe controlled by Satan, and if we're not careful we will faint. On severaloccasions, I have fainted. It is usually when a doctor or nurse sticks a needlein my arm to draw blood or put something inside me. It causes me to start goingout, and I'll say to the people around me, "I'll see you later." Myblood pressure drops, my pulse drops, and I faint. Have you ever notice that onething they always do when someone faints is give them air or some good oxygen.
Inthis passage in Luke 18, Jesus said men ought always to pray and not to faint.Then he tells the story of the widow and the unjust judge and talks about theadversary that's out to overcome this woman. My friend, we live in a pollutedworld, breathing its air, and if we're not careful, we won't get enoughspiritual oxygen, the pure atmosphere of heaven in our spiritual life. We willthrow in the towel and quit, looking at the circumstances rather than the greatGod who is in charge and has already defeated Satan on the cross. We need to breathethe spiritual air of heaven.
That'swhat praying is all about. Men ought always to pray, as the scripture teachesus. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Thisdoesn't mean repeating the same prayer over and over, but that praying should becomeas natural as breathing. We don't think about breathing until we can't breathe,until we need oxygen in our body. That's when we learn to pray always, withoutceasing, because prayer becomes as natural as breathing. We're always thinking,"God, you're right here with me, you're going to answer our prayers,you're a Father who cares about me."
Prayeris much more than the words on our lips; it's the desires of our heart. Ourhearts are constantly desiring Him. If you're desiring the things of the worldand the flesh, looking at circumstances, problems, and difficulties, you'll beoverwhelmed and faint. You won't have enough spiritual oxygen. That's when ourheart cries out to God, "Oh God, help me, meet my needs, speak to me,strengthen me, give me the grace I need to face this situation." Prayingwithout ceasing means that we have holy desires, we want to do the will of God,we're constantly loving Him and in communion with our Father in heaven,desiring His blessings. That's what real prayer is.
Myfriend, we're either going to choose to pray or we're going to faint, throw inthe towel, and quit. We'll lose heart in the battle. But we need to rememberthat the battle's already won through Jesus Christ and His cross. Yesterday, Isaid we're kind of like the woman, hopeless and helpless, with no standingbefore the court. But in another way, it's just the opposite. We're not likethis woman; we are children of God. We have access to the Father. (We will talkmore about that tomorrow).
Today,remember you're a child of God. God delights for you to be in His presence. Hewants you to have Him on your heart continually. When you do that, you'repraying without ceasing, breathing the spiritual air of heaven. You'restrengthened, encouraged, you sense His presence, and everything's okay. “Iwill not fear, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Itrust you will have a wonderful day thinking about these things.
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8 I tell you that He will avenge themspeedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith onthe earth?"
Luke18 is a chapter that has influenced my prayer life as much as any other passagein the Bible. I love Luke chapter 18. We mentioned yesterday how people changeour lives, but it's not so much the people themselves, it's the stories fromtheir lives that teach us lessons. We might forget a principle, but we rarelyforget a story. That's why Jesus told parables, and why Luke, a compassionate physicianwho cared about people, wrote about widows and politicians, Pharisees and publicans,children and adults, rich men and beggars. He gave us a rich cast of charactersto learn from, showing how God worked in their lives, how He can work in ours,and how He wants us to live, not just to make a living, but to enjoy life as Heintended.
Thisis a powerful story about prayer. Jesus begins this parable by saying that menought always to pray and not lose heart or quit. Either we're praying, or we'requitting. Luke introduces us to a story Jesus told about a widow, featuringthree characters. First, there's a judge in a certain city—an unjust judge whodidn't fear God or man. He did what he wanted, was corrupt, and favored his owninterests, his party, and his friends. We live in a day in America where itseems we have many unjust judges, though, thank God, we have good ones too.Let's not give up on all of them because of the unjust ones.
Interestingly,Luke mentions widows more than do all the other Gospel writers combined (Luke2:37-38; 4:25-26; 7:11-17; 18:1-8; 20:45-47; 21:1-4). In that day, widowsusually had a difficult time making ends meet, in spite of the care Godinstructed His people to give them (Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 14:28-29; 16:9-15; Ps.146:9; Isa. 1:17, 23; Jer. 7:6). The early church was serious about the care ofChristian widows (Acts 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:3-10; James 1:27), a good example for usto follow today.
Then,there's an adversary. The widow said, "Give me justice from myadversary." We are like the widow—hopeless and helpless without someone tostand up for us. In Jesus' time in Palestine, widows had no legal standing.They couldn't go to court themselves, had no husband to represent them, and nomoney to bribe a judge or court officials. Judges back then moved from place toplace, setting up court in a tent. Bodyguards or officials stood at the door,and only those who paid bribes or had the right connections could even see thejudge. This widow had no way to get to the judge. All she could do was standoutside, yelling and screaming, "Please avenge me of my adversary."
Jesustells us this unjust judge is a picture of God, which we'll explore in thecoming days. For now, we see that we are like the widow, and our adversary isthe devil. He goes about like a roaring lion, deceiving, devouring, stealing,killing, and destroying. This widow had no way to defend herself, and byourselves, we cannot stand against our adversary, the devil. We need to besober and vigilant. He makes a lot of noise, making us think we're in bigtrouble—and we are, if we don't know how to go to our Father in prayer, askingHim to defend us, avenge us, meet our needs, and strengthen us.
That'swhy every morning, as I walk around our house, after I pray the Lord's Prayer,I pray, "Lord, avenge me of the adversary in my life, in Edith'slife," and then I pray for my children and grandchildren by name, otherfamily members, and church members, and their families, asking God to avenge usof the adversary today. We have a God who is willing, ready, and waiting withopen arms for us to call on His name to avenge us. What a great lesson. We'llstudy it in more depth tomorrow.
Wemust learn to pray, or we will be overcome by our adversary and will loseheart, faint, and quit. Are you learning to pray?
Godbless!
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Todaywe will be looking at a new chapter, Luke chapter 18. Over 50 years ago when I was in BibleCollege in Lynchburg, I went to Winchester, Virginia, to be a part of startinga new church, Shenandoah Valley Baptist Church. Right after I graduated in1975, I became the senior pastor of the church. Shortly after that, I met adear friend who greatly influenced our lives and greatly encouraged andassisted us in my early days of ministry. His name was Dave Sisler.
Wewere very sorry and sad to hear that Dave went to be with the Lord earlier thisweek. He was someone who invested in us in many different ways. One of the wayshe tried to help us, I’ll never forget, was taking me and my brother-in-law,Ronnie Riggins, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, because we were getting ready toplant a new church up there. Ronnie was going to go up there and meet somepeople and start a church, and we were excited about that. So Dave took us upto Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and he introduced us to a man that he knew by thename of Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. Dave was involved in Amway in a really bigway, and Charlie Tremendous Jones was one of the top motivational speakers inthe world at that time and spoke at the Amway conventions. So Dave personallyknew him.
I’llnever forget our first meeting with Charlie Tremendous Jones there inHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, in his bookstore with Ronnie Riggins and Dave. That’sa longer story, but Charlie Tremendous Jones, over the years, also became apart of the church that was started there with Ronnie, and became a friend ofours too. One of the things that Charlie was famous for saying is, “Two thingswill change your life more than anything else in the next five years are thepeople you meet and the books you read.”
Isaid all that to first give honor to my friend Dave Sisler. He’s going to begreatly missed by many people, especially his family, but also to make a point.The Bible is a book of people. If you want to learn the Bible, learn the peopleof the Bible. God introduces us to people in the Bible, and through thesepeople, the main person we meet is God Himself. When you meet people, you meetthem in their books, you meet them in their lives, you meet them in theirstories, and your life can be forever changed because. And especially throughthe people of the Bible, you meet God.
Now,in this story in front of us today in Luke chapter 18, Jesus is teaching alesson about prayer, that men ought always to pray, not to faint, not to giveup hope. This parable is teaching us that either we’re going to be praying, orwe’re going to be fainting, quitting, throwing up our hands, throwing in thetowel, and walking away from our Christianity. The importance and the power andplace of prayer that Jesus speaks about here is wonderful.
SoJesus told this parable, saying, “There was in a certain city a judge whodid not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city, and shecame to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would notfor a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear Godnor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest byher continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjustjudge said. And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry out day and night toHim, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge themspeedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on theearth?”
Forthe next few days, we’ll be talking about this parable and the three people inthis story that we’re going to meet: the widow lady, the unjust judge, and thewidow’s adversary. Through them, we’re going to hear and learn about how greatour God is to take care of us when we cry out to Him day and night.
Todayyou might think about who you’re going to meet and how you can influence theirlives or maybe how they might influence your life.
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32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will loseit, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Luke17:30-36 describes what will occur when Jesus Christ returns in judgment todefeat His enemies and establish His kingdom on earth (Rev. 19:11-20:6).Believers in every age of the church can take warning from these verses, butthey apply in a special way to Israel at the end of the age (see Matt.24:29-44). When Jesus comes for His church and takes it to heaven, it willhappen "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor.15:52). Nobody taking part in the rapture of the church need worry about beingon a housetop or in a field and wanting to get something out of the house!However, when the Lord returns to the earth, His coming will first be precededby a "sign" in heaven (Matt. 24:30-31), and some people might try tohurry home to rescue something. "Remember Lot's wife!"
Theverb taken in Luke 17:34-36 does not mean "taken to heaven" but"taken away in judgment" (Matt. 24:36-41). The person"left" is a believer who enters into the kingdom. Noah and his familywere "left" to enjoy a new beginning, while the whole population ofthe earth was "taken" in the Flood. In spite of their sins, Lot andhis daughters were "left" while the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were"taken" when the fire and brimstone destroyed the cities.
Thefact that it is night in Luke 17:34 but day in Luke 17:35-36 indicates that thewhole world will be involved in the return of Jesus Christ in glory. "Behold,He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him" (Rev. 1:7).
Threetimes the disciples had heard Jesus talk about people being "taken"and "left," so they asked Him a most logical question: "Where,Lord?" Our Lord's reply has the sound of a familiar proverb: "Justas the eagles [and vultures, Matt. 24:28] gather at a corpse, so the lost willbe gathered together for judgment." The description of the last battlein Revelation 19:17-21 certainly parallels the image of carrion-eating birdsgorging themselves on flesh.
Inother words, when the Lord Jesus returns to judge His enemies, there will be aseparation of the saved and the lost. Whether it be day or night, whetherpeople are working or sleeping, the separation and judgment will come. Thosewho are saved will be left to enter the glorious kingdom, while those who arelost will be taken away in judgment.
Eventhough the primary interpretation of these verses is for Israel in the endtimes, they do emphasize for the church the importance of being ready whenJesus returns. We must not be like Lot's wife whose heart was so in Sodom thatshe looked back in spite of the angels' warning (Gen. 19:17, 26). There aremany professed Christians today whose plans would be interrupted if Jesusreturned! (note 1 Thes. 5:1-11) Our Lord's warning in Luke 17:33 findsparallels in Matthew 10:39; Luke 9:24; and John 12:25, and is a fundamentalprinciple of the Christian life. The only way to save your life is to lose itfor the sake of Christ and the Gospel.
Jesuspictured civilization as a "rotting corpse" that would one day beripe for judgment. The discerning believer sees evidence of this on every handand realizes that the "days of Noah" and the "days of Lot"are soon on us. Our Lord can return for His church at any time, so we are notlooking for signs; but we do know that "coming events cast their shadowsbefore." As we see many of these things begin to come to pass (Luke21:28), we know that His return is nearing.
Arewe looking for His return, and do we really want to see Him come? Remember, Lot’swife, and don’t look back but be looking up!
Godbless.
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26 Andas it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son ofMan: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage,until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed themall. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, theybought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot wentout of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
InLuke 17, Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, has been especially teaching Hisdisciples about forgiveness (vv. 1-6), faithfulness (vv. 7-10), and thankfulness(vv. 11-19). In verse 20, the Pharisees brought up the subject of the coming ofthe “Kingdom of God”, referring to the time when the Messiah would set up Hiskingdom on earth. Jesus reminded them to quit looking for a physical, political,and material kingdom and to look for a spiritual one (v. 21).
Thenin Luke 17:22-30, Jesus turns and speaks to His disciples about His return, theday of the Son of Man. Today, this passage challenges us to live withreadiness, not distracted by the world’s noise or lulled into complacency.Jesus uses vivid Old Testament examples to show how sudden and certain Hiscoming will be, urging us to stay faithful and alert.
Jesus warnsHis disciples that a time will come when they’ll long for His presence, but itwon’t be as they expect. False voices will cry out, “He’s here! He’s there!”but Jesus says not to chase them. His return will be unmistakable, likelightning flashing across the sky. It will be sudden, visible to all, andimpossible to miss (Read Revelation 1:7; and 19:11-16). Yet, before that day,He must suffer and be rejected, a reminder that the path to glory goes throughthe cross (v. 25).
Todrive home the urgency, Jesus points to two Old Testament events: the days ofNoah and the days of Lot. In both, people were consumed with everydaylife—eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, building. There’s nothingwrong with these activities, but the problem was their focus. They were sowrapped up in the ordinary that they ignored the warnings of coming judgment. BothNoah and Lot lived in days of religious compromise and moral declension, notunlike our present time. During "the days of Noah," population growthwas significant (Gen. 6:1), lawlessness was on the increase (Gen. 6:5), and theearth was given over to violence (Gen. 6:11, 13). In Lot's day, the unnaturallusts of Sodom and Gomorrah were so abhorrent to God that He completelydestroyed the cities. Only Lot, two of his daughters, and his wife (who laterwas destroyed) were saved from the terrible judgment.
Jesussays it will be the same when He returns. The world will be caught off guard,living as if life will go on forever. But for those who follow Him, the call isclear: stay awake, stay faithful, and don’t get lulled into spiritual sleep.This isn’t about obsessing over dates or signs but about living each day withpurpose, doing God’s work, and keeping our hearts fixed on Him. The suddennessof His coming isn’t meant to scare us but to spur us to live differently. To beready, expectant, and aligned with His kingdom.
So,here’s the challenge for us this week: Live ready. Take a moment each morningto ask yourself, “If Jesus returned today, would I be found displaying thereality of Jesus Christ in my life. Living a life of forgiveness, faithfulness,and thankfulness because of my faith and love for the Lord?” Today, identify one area where you’re temptedto drift into complacency—maybe it’s neglecting prayer, chasing distractions,or ignoring a call to serve. Commit to one intentional action to counter thatdrift.
Maythe Lord help us to be prepared for His coming living with eternity in view andnot be caught off guard like the world was in Noah’s or Lot’s day. Will you be readywhen He comes?
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Today,It is my prayer today that our Heavenly Father will open our hearts to His Wordand help us understand the true nature of His kingdom and how it transforms usfrom within. And that He would guide us by His Spirit to live as citizens of Hiskingdom.
ThePharisees were looking for a kingdom they could see. Along with most of theJewish people thew were looking for a grand, political empire that wouldelevate their nation and crush their enemies. They wanted a Messiah who wouldarrive with pomp, power, and a clear timeline. When John the Baptist showed upwith his message, some thought he might be the Messiah (John 1:19-27). But thenthe attention of the nation turned to Jesus, especially after John wasbeheaded.
Jesus’response to their question about the kingdom turned their expectations upsidedown. The kingdom of God, He said, doesn’t come with “observation”, which meantit wasn’t going to come with fanfare or visible signs you can point to and say,“There it is!” God's plan for a visible, millennial kingdom was dependent uponthe Jews' accepting the spiritual truths of the kingdom as preached by John andJesus (John 3:1-12). The mystery parables of Matthew 13 reveal that the plan toestablish an earthly kingdom was postponed because of the Jews' attitude towardthe King. Instead, Jesus answer is that His kingdom is already present, workingin a way they couldn’t imagine: within people’s hearts.
Jesus’words should challenge us to rethink what God’s kingdom is. It’s not aboutexternal power, wealth, or status. It’s not confined to a specific place or adramatic event. The kingdom of God is spiritual, transforming us from theinside out. It begins when we surrender to Jesus as King, allowing Hislove, grace, and truth to reign in our hearts. This kingdom changes how wethink, act, and love others. It makes us humble where we were proud, generouswhere we were selfish, and hopeful where we were discouraged.
WhenJesus told the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God is within you,” He wasn’t sayingthey already had it—they rejected Him! Instead, He was pointing to Himself, theKing standing in their midst, and urging them to recognize the kingdom’spresence through a changed heart. For us, this means the kingdom is alreadyhere, accessible through faith in Christ. It’s in the quiet moments when wechoose forgiveness over bitterness, service over selfishness, or trust in Godover worry. It’s in the way we reflect Jesus to the world.
Jesustaught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come….”. In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus gave usthe “principles of the kingdom”. Only by the new spiritual birth (John 3:3-7),can we see or enter this kingdom. And then only by His Holy Spirit living withinus can we experience the reality of living by the principles of His kingdom.
Today,this truth should challenges us. Like the Pharisees, we can get caught uplooking for God’s kingdom in the wrong places, expecting it in materialsuccess, public recognition, or a perfect life. Jesus calls us to look inward.Is His kingdom ruling in our hearts? Are we living as His ambassadors, showingHis love and truth in our everyday actions?
Maythe Lord help us to focus on cultivating God’s kingdom within. Before I get outof bed each day, I pray the Lord’s Prayer to remind myself that I want to experienceHis Lordship in every aspect of my life. Today, would you take five minutes topray and ask God to reveal one area of your heart where He wants to reign morefully, maybe it’s an attitude, a habit, or a relationship. Then, take onepractical step to align that area with His kingdom values.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank Youfor being our King and bringing Your kingdom near. Help us to seek Your kingdomwithin our hearts, not in the things of this world (Matthew 6:33). Transform usby Your Spirit to live as Your people, reflecting Your love and truth. Guide usin this week’s challenge to let You reign in every part of our lives. Amen.
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