Luke 18:9-17  Jesus tells a second parable about prayer.  The first one emphasized how necessary it is for us to be persistent in prayer for we have a God who will hear and provide for those who continue in faith.  This one teaches about the attitude of prayer. 

The two men who go up to the temple are opposites in every way. The first is a Pharisee. The second is a tax-gatherer.  One would be considered "righteous" because of his position, his outward behavior, and his own testimony... "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people; swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get' "    He never acknowledged his sins, his failures, or his need for God's grace. 

The tax-gatherer was automatically judged to be evil. They all thought that the tax-gatherers were crooked, corrupt, and unclean because of their job.  This man, however, was "unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "  All he asked for was mercy. With every word he confessed his unrighteousness and his need for a Savior.

Jesus says that it is the tax-gatherer who left the temple "justified".  The Pharisee was not repentant and  remained unforgiven.  The one who trusted in himself, thinking he was righteous was far from it.  The one who was held in contempt, despised by the Pharisee.. is the one who is made truly righteous by the Lord.  

Jesus says, as He had said before, "everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted." 

Luke gives us another glimpse of this truth in the next few verses.  The people were bringing their babies to Jesus "so that He might touch them".  The disciples tried to stop them, but Jesus "called for them".  He said "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all." 

The Message says it this way, " Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child you'll never get in." 

 With simple faith, a  humble heart, and an honest confession of sin.. we come to the only One who has mercy to give, grace to bestow, forgiveness to offer and love to complete it all so that we can receive His Kingdom.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Father in heaven, we exalt Your Holy Name and we praise the Son of righteousness!  Hold us in Your Hands today we pray. How we need You every hour! Thank You for showing us mercy and forgiving our sins, for making us whole and clothing us in the righteousness of Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

 Luke 18:1-8  Luke says that this parable about prayer was to "show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart." 

The parable is about a judge and a widow.  The judge, we are told, "did not fear God and did not respect man." What a description!  None of us would want to willingly go before such a man.  No goodness is attributed to him.. he had power over others, but no mercy, no love.. and not even any regard for anyone but himself. 

The widow was a different character altogether !  She was relentless in her pursuit of justice.  She was bold to keep coming to this godless judge in an effort to find relief from her "adversary". 

Because of the widow's persistence she was finally granted justice in her case.  It was not goodness that caused the judge to finally relent and help her.. it was his selfish desire to just be done with her that he granted her request. 

The point of the story, Jesus says, is that if an unjust judge would help the widow because of her persistence.. that how much more our God.. who is good, who is gracious, and who is merciful and full of love.. a Just and Mighty God.. "bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night and will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will bring about justice for them speedily." 

What a wonderful promise!  Our God hears our prayers.  He sees our need.  He will act on our behalf.  He is able to do all things!  Our part is to keep praying, to keep trusting, and to be people of faith until Christ returns again. 

Prayer matters.  Persistent and consistent prayer matters.  Urgent prayers matter. Humble, honest prayers matter. 

Jesus says we "ought to pray" .. at "all times".  It is necessary.  It is needed. It is vital.  He also says that we should "not lose heart".. we should not "faint".  Don't grow weary. Don't give up.. don't fail.  Be like the widow.. bold, persistent, and relentless.  We have a good, good, Father who will not fail. May we be found to have the kind of faith that persists until the coming of Jesus. 

Father, may it be so! 

Amen. 

 Luke 17:20-37  

The Pharisees questioned Jesus about the coming of God's Kingdom.  They were still looking for signs.. they were still wanting proof that Jesus was Who He claimed He was. They still had a narrow definition of God's Sovereignty and Greatness.  They still had no clue what God's Kingdom was. 

Jesus answered the Pharisees, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed." In fact, He tells them, it is not something they could see or point to.. "Look, here it is!"  The truth, Jesus tells them, is that "the kingdom of God is in your midst."  The Kingdom of God was right there in front of them. They just couldn't see it. Their spiritual eyes were blind. They rejected the One who will bring the Kingdom to earth. 

Jesus preached continually about God's Kingdom.. it was His theme and His greatest desire.  He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy Kingdom Come".  He now gives them some more teaching about the Kingdom coming.. 

First, He tells His disciples that they would long for the Kingdom.. "the days of the Son of Man".. but they would not see it.  They wouldn't have to run here and there when others try to point them in a different direction. But.. when the Kingdom does come to earth.. when Christ returns "in His day".. there will be no doubt that it has come.. the whole world will know. 

Secondly, He tells them that before the Kingdom comes.. before He can return.. He will suffer. 

Jesus compares the coming of His Kingdom to the days of Noah and the days of Lot.  Life was going on ...In both cases people were just doing what they do.. eating, drinking, getting married.. building, planting, selling and buying. But, when Noah entered the ark with his family and when Lot left the city of Sodom with his family.. all those left behind were judged and destroyed. 

Those "taken" and those "left" in the next few verses represent those who are ready for the Kingdom and those who are not.  This is not arbitrary.  If a person seeks to "keep his life ".. if he is holding on to the things of this world and rejecting God's salvation.. they will lose everything.  But, those who "lose" their lives.. for the sake of the Kingdom..will live. 

The Kingdom of God is so near.. Christ has invited us in  and paved the way for us by His own death on the cross.  But.. some still choose their own way.. and no matter how good we think we are.. it is not enough.  Only Jesus saves and cleanses us from the thing that blocks our way to the Father.. sin.  Big sins, little sins,, unknown sins.. it doesn't matter. We are all in the same boat.. or if we think of Noah.. we are all outside the boat and only Jesus can open the door and let us in.  

Father in heaven,  Let Your Kingdom Come and let us be ready!  Open blind eyes today, Lord Jesus, so that the lost will call upon Your Name and be saved.  We know there is a Day coming when You will come again and reign on this earth.. and we pray that we will be ready!  We pray for the lost ones in our families.. those working beside us, those sharing our homes, those who are our neighbors ...will receive the Good News that You are able to save them and bring them into the Kingdom if they will just humble themselves and give their lives to You.  Our prayer lists are long, Lord. We bring each one to You right now and ask in the Name of Jesus.. in agreement with Your Will,  that many more will be saved. Amen

 Luke 17:11-18  There is an interlude from  teaching as Jesus continues heading towards Jerusalem.  They are passing "between Samaria and Galilee" when 10 men, all with leprosy call out to Him. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"   Jesus does not hesitate to send all ten men to go show themselves to the priests... to be examined and declared clean.  They obey and head towards the tabernacle. But.. only one turns back to glorify God when he realizes that he has been healed. 

How could the others not turn around and praise the Lord? They were all cleansed. They were all obedient to the command to go show themselves.  But.. nine missed an opportunity to give glory to God and to receive another word from Jesus.  "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." 

How would we react to such a situation?  To be in great need.. facing an impossible trial.. a disease so horrible that you cannot recover on your own...  and then.. miracle of miracles you come within shouting distance of the Healer!  Would we fall on our knees and worship the God who showed mercy?  I hope so!  

In fact, we have all been in that situation.. covered with the disease of sin.. unable to cleanse ourselves. And we are all in shouting distance.. and even closer.. to the only One who can cleanse us and make us whole. He is willing to answer our cry.. and we can go our way rejoicing.. But, let us not miss the opportunity to turn around and give glory to God! We can never praise Him enough for what He has done!

Father, I want to be one who recognizes Your grace and mercy and who falls on my knees and gives You glory.  Don't let me miss any opportunity to give You glory!  I  will glorify Your Name in the everyday blessings and in the trials and struggles of this life. You are so good and ready to forgive!  You are abundant in lovingkindness and there is none like You.  You are the Healer, Jesus, and we need Your healing touch today.  Make our faith great, Lord and help us to always give praise and glory to God!  Thank You!  Amen. 

 Luke 17:5-10

The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith... and His answer is "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.' " A mustard seed, as we know is very, very small.  If it is not the quantity of faith that matters, then could it be the quality of the disciple's faith that needs to grow? 

What kind of faith do we have?  Do we have the kind of faith that  cares so much about others that we are on our guard to help them?  Are we careful to not put stumbling blocks that would keep people from coming to Jesus?  Are we careful to speak up when our friend or brother sins?  Do we have faith that will forgive and forgive and forgive again when someone sins against us? Do we have the kind of faith that obeys the Master.. keeping His commandments and recognizing His worth and our own unworthiness?

Father in heaven, we ask for this kind of faith that yields completely to Your will.. so that we might  live as Your servants in humble, loving obedience.. Fill us  Holy Spirit, so that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus.  Jesus,  You are the One who has authored our faith and You are the One who completes it.. to the glory of Your Name and to the praise of the Father in heaven.  May the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus be ours today we pray,  asking all things in Your Mighty Name. Amen. 

 Luke 17:1-5   Jesus taught His disciples some important lessons that are included here as He heads towards Jerusalem. 

The first lesson is about "stumbling blocks".  This is also translated as "offences."  It can mean a trap or a snare.. or something that draws a person into error or sin. Jesus warns that these snares will come, but the one through whom it comes is the one who will be judged.  "It would be better if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble." 

Then the Lord tells His disciples to "Be on your guard!"  The lesson is about looking our for your brother. If they sin, rebuke him.. if they repent.. forgive him and keep on forgiving him as much as necessary .. 

In reply to these 2 lessons, the disciples ask the Lord ,  "Increase our faith". 

Shepherd, help us to have ears to hear what You are teaching us today. 

I don't want to be a stumbling block to anyone and I don't want anyone to cause me to stumble.. do you?  The judgement of God is terrifying... as the Word reminds us.. "Our God is a consuming fire! The truth is that we have all stumbled or been offended.. or have been drawn into sin by someone during our life time. Someone has sinned against us.. and he or she has to make a decision how to deal with that guilt.. either they repent and we forgive them.  Or they don't repent and face the judgment of the Lord. 

If I am the one who has offended someone or caused them to sin, then it is up to me to repent and seek forgiveness  or face the judgement of the Lord. Let me be the one who repents Lord God!

Oh how we need faith too!  Help us Lord Jesus to humble ourselves and seek Your grace.. forgive us our sins and trespasses and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.  May we not cause anyone to stumble and may we not stumble our own selves.  We need You Lord Jesus! Fill us with Your wisdom and love and lead us is Your ways. Increase our faith and help us to trust and obey in every situation.  You are our help and our salvation O God! Thank You. amen. 

Luke 16  The next parable that Jesus teaches His disciples is about the rich man with the "unrighteous steward". This steward was accused of "squandering"  the possessions of the rich boss.  The boss called in the steward and asked for an accounting before being let go from his position. The steward quickly made a plan for his own future. He called in those who were in debt to the master and forgave some of what they owed. His hope was that they would help him out after he lost his job.  The master "praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly".  

Was Jesus using this example to glorify the wisdom or shrewdness of the servant?  No.. He clarified His point to this disciples.. " And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings."  And it will fail.  Worldly "mammon" .. riches, treasures, money.. have a usefulness.. but it is nothing in the light of eternity. Jesus illustrates this truth with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. When they both died it is the poor man, Lazarus who suffered in this life.. who rests in paradise at the side of Abraham.  It is the man who had more treasures than he ever needed who suffered greatly in the fire of Hades. 

Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters.  We cannot pursue and serve riches and serve God at the same time. If God is not first.. we are not His.  The Pharisees "who were lovers of money".. scoffed.  Jesus  warned them once again that God knew their hearts. They justified themselves but that did not mean that they were justified before God.  They manipulated even the Law that they claimed to love and obey.. to justify their own sinfulness.  They called divorce a good thing.. but Jesus called it adultery.  They were ignorant of the Truth of God's Word. 

The rich man considered himself blessed.. until he found himself in Hades. What do we need to learn from this?  Are we being wise and faithful with what God has given to us?  Jesus said, " he who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very  little thing is unrighteous also in much."  Are we faithful to use what belongs to God for His glory?  Not just worldly goods, but spiritual treasures too?  Jesus will address this again in the parable of the talents. It is something He really wants us to hear! 

Lord, open our ears and eyes to see Your wonderful works and to know Your will in all things. Fill us, Spirit of God, that we might be faithful in the little and in the great.. in all that You have provided.. for we want to glorify You in every good work. Come, Lord Jesus, and cleanse our hearts from all unfaithfulness ... we surrender all to you..  as we pray in Your Name..  uniting our hearts with Yours. Amen.