The two stories at
the beginning of chapter 18 (v1-14) end the central section of Luke Gospel
which began at 9:51 with the declaration that "Jesus resolutely set out
for Jerusalem". We have seen that
most of the material in these chapters are unique to Luke and are not found in
Matthew and Mark. And while Luke will continue to add in a few twists and
stories that the others do not have, by and large by the end of chapter 18 all
three Gospels are once again travelling along the same narrative road that will take
the reader to Calvary and beyond. So what does Luke want us to learn?
Firstly, we need
some more instruction about faith (18:1-30), particularly about its
character. For while the two parables
focus on particular rights and wrongs regarding the practice of prayer (v1,10),
Jesus' comment about 'finding faith' when He returns shows that this is His
main concern (v8,9). At its heart,
prayer is a conscious and active dependence upon God to act in His sovereign
grace on behalf of His people (v7). Such
dependence is expressed in prayer as relentless persistence. True believers do not persevere in
praying to change God's mind or overcome His reluctance to answer, but
prayerfully hang in there because they know God's loving heart and and are assured of His loving
commitment to bless His children. As such, the Pharisee's prayer is not borne
out of dependant faith but is merely a Godward expression of his own
self-reliance (v9). He doesn't think he
needs God's help and so doesn't really 'pray' (v11-12). In contrast, the praying tax-collector
(Luke's go-to example of a typical despicable, sinful scoundrel - see also 19:1-10)
has nothing to commend himself before God and in his helplessness must
therefore cast himself wholly upon God's mercy (v13) as an expression of faith
borne out of deep, genuine humility. A point that is underlined in following
verses (v15-17) where Jesus welcomes children who have nothing to commend them
to Him other than their need of help.
One more point to
consider in this regard: if true faith
is recognised by its prayerful persistence - which after all, is what Jesus is
commending (v1) - then it is but a small step for sinful man to twist such perseverance
into a reason for self-congratulatory pride (see the dangerous tone introduced
by the disciples in v28). So, CBE-ers, take
note!! That you are hanging in there
with these daily readings is wonderful and to be rightly commended!! But please don't think that such doggedness
is a mark of the strength of your spiritual resilience or maturity. That any of
us make any progress at all in the walk of faith, is all due to God's gracious
enabling - for which, as we have just learned, is to be acknowledged with
humble thanksgiving. See the paradox that is Philippians 2:13.
So much to comment on in these chapters; so little
time or space!! So, here's a
final, brief thought that echoes something we saw back in Mark 8 (Day #13).
Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is coming to its end and the disciples need to be
reminded - again - of what to expect (18:31-33). The people are expecting Messiah Jesus to
lead a revolutionary uprising against the Romans (19:11), but that's not going
to happen. What will happen is that Jesus will be arrested, humiliated,
crucified and resurrected. However, despite the clarity, Luke tells us:
"the disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from
them, and they did not know what he was talking about" (18:34). They don't
see it. What happens next? A blind man
receives his sight and follows Jesus as He makes His way to the cross (v35-43).
By the end of the story, the disciples will see, they will understand. And, by faith, so will we.
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