Thought on This Chapter
LK 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
This parable is spoken to men who believed in a works
salvation. They thought they were saved because of what they did.
This belief often leads to thinking that you are better than someone who does
not do as much works as you do. Trusting in yourself and your
righteousness lifts up pride and leads to despising others.
LK 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the
one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
LK 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
LK 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all
that I possess.
Can you just see the pride oozing out of this works
salvation believer?
LK 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not
lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God
be merciful to me a sinner.
The second man is quite a contrast. He realizes
that he is a sinner. He knows that he is not worthy. He is burdened
and convicted by his sin. He simply calls upon God for mercy. The
second man has not fasted, he has not tithed, he has not done any works to get
saved. He did not join a church. He was not in the religious crowd.
He did not get baptized.
Now which one is justified in the eyes of God? Is
it the first man (works), or is it the second man (grace)?
LK 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The second man is justified and the first is not.
Works does not save. Only the mercy of God saves us.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great
love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Thought On This Chapter
LK 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end,
that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
In verse one we have clearly stated what the purpose of
this parable is. A parable always has a purpose; a reason of why it was
told. A parable is a teaching tool. In many parables, the
explanation comes after the parable, but not here. Here we are told up
front that what this parable teaches is that men should keep praying.
Don't give up. Don't quit. Men ought always to pray, and not to
faint.
LK 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which
feared not God, neither regarded man:
LK 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she
came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
LK 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he
said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
LK 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will
avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
LK 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge
saith.
LK 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which
cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
The unjust judge had no fear of God, and he also did
not care what man thought. Verse 4 says, "nor regard man" This was a
very wicked judge. Because he did not fear God, his judgments would not be
done based on righteousness. And because he did not regard man, you could
not get him to do what is right based on political pressure. He would do
what was right to impress someone no matter what the authority. This
unjust judge was only going to do what he wanted to do. And in this case
the judge did not want to right the wrong done to this widow. Not wanting
to help a widow shows a cold wicked heart. The case looks hopeless.
The judge will not do it for God. He will not do it for man. What
can possibly make him move?
LK 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will
avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
What did it was the widows relentless continual coming.
She would not give up. She just kept asking. She did not get an
answer the first time so she asked again, and again. The judge knew that
she was not going to stop. The judge did not care for doing what was
right, and he in no way cared for this widow. The unjust judge was swayed
by her continual asking.
The application. If an uncaring, unholy, unjust
judge will grant a request because of continual asking, how MUCH MORE will a
loving, Holy, Just, God who loves you dearly? So don't quit asking.
LK 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which
cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Verse 7 says, "though he bear long with them" God
does have reasons for delaying answers, but the answer will come. God's
wheel of justice sometimes seems to turn slow, but it never slips. In His
time justice will always be done.
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King James Bible Main Index:
LK 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
LK 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
LK 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
LK 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
LK 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
LK 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
LK 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
LK 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
LK 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
LK 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
LK 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
LK 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
LK 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
LK 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
LK 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
LK 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
LK 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
LK 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
LK 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
LK 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
LK 18:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
LK 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
LK 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
LK 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
LK 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
LK 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
LK 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
LK 18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
LK 18:29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
LK 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
LK 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
LK 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
LK 18:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
LK 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
LK 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
LK 18:36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
LK 18:37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
LK 18:38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
LK 18:39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
LK 18:40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
LK 18:41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
LK 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
LK 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
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LK 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive
the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Only a child like faith is needed to get saved.
No theological degree required!
God has made salvation so simple that a child can
understand it.
Salvation is not a matter of who can understand.
It truly is only a matter of whosoever will. Rom 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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