Prayer And Devotion To God

In two parables and two encounters, Jesus teaches how to pray and live.

Luke 18:1-25

Prayer should be enthusiastic and in earnest (v. 1-8)

• The squeaky wheel gets the grease; and the persistent appellant will gain the court’s ear.
• The unsaved may do what is right for wrong reasons.
• Unlike the importunate woman of the parable, we have a Judge who always does right, who hears and responds to the cries for help which come from his people, who will avenge them speedily.
• Will Jesus find faithful, persistent and praying people when he returns?

Prayer should be humble and honest (v. 9-14)

• Jesus had a target audience. We should know what to say and to whom, too.
• The Pharisee prayed with himself.
• The publican, ashamed even to look to heaven, pled for God’s mercy.
• Conclusion: the humble penitent left the temple in good standing with God.  The Pharisee did not.

Devotion to God has no minimum age (v. 15-17)

• Some would prevent little children from being close to Jesus.
• Others would do anything to have Jesus handle their children.
• What did Jesus think about the request or the rejection?
• Little children are welcome.
• Little children are our example in how to receive the kingdom of God. If we don’t follow the child-like faith and obedience we will never enter the kingdom of God ourselves.

Devotion to God requires lifestyle changes (v. 18-25)

• From the dependent child we now turn to a man of independent wealth.
• He asked how to have eternal life.
• Jesus challenged his knowledge of the scriptures and his obedience to them.
• More, Jesus challenged his lifestyle and ordered that the man start over financially.
• Being very rich, the man was very sorrowful at the thought of parting with his fortune.
• Jesus pointed out that it’s hard (though not impossible)for a wealthy man to enter the kingdom of God.
• Threading a rope though a needle would be easier.

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The Kingdom of God

To those who expect Christ’s kingdom to be worthy of a Hollywood movie, read closely as Jesus himself describes his kingdom.

Luke 17:20-37

• Without observation (v. 20). Don’t expect to see the kingdom of God with your eyes.
• Within you (v. 21). The kingdom of God is not stone and mortar.
• Unseen (v. 22)
• Not a tourist attraction (v. 23). You don’t need to travel to find the kingdom of God.
• Everywhere (v. 24)
• Preceded by the passion of Christ (v. 25)
• As in the days of Noah (v. 26-27) human activity will continue normally, with no expectation of danger.
• As in the days of Lot (v. 28-30) judgment will come suddenly, without warning.
• Don’t look back on your earthly past and accomplishments (v. 31-32). Be willing to part with everything and everybody for your soul’s sake.
• A nighttime illustration (v. 34). Many will be sleeping;only few will go with Christ.
• A daytime illustration (v. 35-36). Many will be working; only few will go with Christ.
• Where? Wherever there is death. (v. 37)  Like scavenger birds gathering quickly upon the recently dead, so this judgment of the kingdom of God will gather where the death of sin is widespread.

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Ten Lepers

Some people are grateful for the grace of God; and some are not. The thankful Samaritan receives an additional bonus from Jesus—his faith has saved him.

Luke 17:11-19

• 10 men with a common medical (and social) problem. Brought together by leprosy. As a group crying out for the mercy of the Lord Jesus (v. 12-13).
• Jesus recognizes their cries, and he instructs them to go to the priests (for evaluation)  (v. 14).
• AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed. (If they had not obeyed Jesus, if they had not begun the journey to the priests, would they have been cleansed?(
• 1, and only 1, of the ten came back to thank Jesus. The one was a Samaritan. So grateful was he that he fell on his face before Jesus and glorified God with a loud voice.
• Jesus comments that 9 (90%!) of those who received healing did not glorify God for their cleansing. Do you expect to see more gratitude in the people you know?

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The Raising Of Lazarus

Yes, Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus. But then we would not have witnessed the resurrection.

John 11:38-57

The Event (V. 38-44)

• Lazarus’ body was laid in a cave/tomb; it was not buried in the earth and covered.
• When Jesus asked for the stone “door” if the cave to be moved aside, Martha protested that after four days surely the body would stink (v. 39).
• Nonplused, Jesus reminds her to believe and see the glory of God.
• Then he prays, for the benefit of those witnessing the proceedings.
• With a loud voice, Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb; and Lazarus, still wrapped in a long burial cloth, ambles forth from the dark.  Before others can say anything, Jesus instructs that Lazarus be set free from the grave clothes.

The Effect (V. 45-57)

• Many of the mourners believed on Jesus. Wouldn’t you?
• Some of the witnesses reported the miracle to the Pharisees. (Were they being snitches, or were they trying to persuade the Pharisees to believe?)
• Upon learning of this miraculous raising of the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered in council to discuss what to do with Jesus.
• The miracle was public and well-attested. The fearful Jews could not deny it.
• Some expressed concern that the popularity of Jesus would lead to rebellion against Rome—which the Romans would not tolerate. Especially were they concerned that the Jewish leaders would lose the privileges that Rome had granted them.
• Caiaiphas, the high priest, spoke prophetically that Jesus’ death would be the salvation of the nation. Historically, it wasn’t for another 40 years that the Romans destroyed the nation of Israel.
• Who understood that the death of Jesus would be for the salvation of Jews and Gentile alike?
• Acting on the counsel of the high priest, the council undertook, in earnest, plotting the death of Jesus.
• Jesus withdrew from public ministry in Judea.
• The upcoming passover stirred speculation about whether Jesus would return to Jerusalem. (Of course he would!)

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