Luke 17-18

Introduction

Chapter 17

1. DISCIPLES MUST NOT CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE (vv. 1-4)

Woe to those who cause others to sin - better to be drowned than to lead believers astray

When a brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him

Forgive repeatedly, even seven times in one day - reflect God's unlimited forgiveness toward you

2. FAITH THE SIZE OF A MUSTARD SEED IS SUFFICIENT (vv. 5-6)

Apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith

Jesus responds: even tiny faith (mustard seed size) can accomplish impossible things

The issue isn't the amount of faith, but the Object of your faith - God can do anything

3. SERVANTS SHOULD SERVE WITHOUT EXPECTING SPECIAL PRAISE (vv. 7-10)

Illustration: servants don't expect thanks for doing their normal duties

After doing everything commanded, consider yourself an "unworthy servant"

We've only done our duty - all service to God flows from gratitude, not merit-seeking

4. ONLY ONE LEPER RETURNED TO THANK JESUS (vv. 11-19)

Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one (a Samaritan) returns to glorify God

Where are the nine? Even religious Jews failed to give thanks

"Your faith has made you well" - saving faith involves grateful worship, not just receiving benefits

5. THE KINGDOM IS HERE NOW, BUT WILL COME IN FULLNESS LATER (vv. 20-37)

Kingdom present: "The kingdom of God is in your midst" (in Jesus' person) - no dramatic signs needed

Kingdom future: The Son of Man will come suddenly like lightning - unmistakable and universal

Warning: Life will continue normally (like Noah's and Lot's days) until sudden judgment - be ready, pray persistently (leads to 18:1-8)

Chapter 18

2 parables on prayer

Parable of the unjust judge Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1–8 KJV

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

This is an easier one since Jesus tells us at the start the reason for it; Jesus encourages them to be persistent in prayer

It’s a “how much more” parable.

If an unrighteous judge eventually avenges the persistent widow, how much more will the righteous God avenge His people that pray persistently

quickly is in God’s time not ours

think of this as tarry until time, then will happen quickly when it does

God will fulfil His purpose for His people even when it may seem for a season like He’s not there at all. So keep praying!

But the question Jesus asks at the end is for us not for Himself

When Jesus comes back will He find many faithful?

Whether it’s the few of faith that may be when he comes back or us now, Jesus is saying “remain faithful”!

Parable of the Pharisee and tax collector Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9–14 KJV

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 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. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. 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.

Jesus tells the purpose and meaning when He gives the error committed by the ones listening

The Pharisee sees himself as more righteous than these other “sinners” due in part if not all at the things he did “for God”. He’s doing way more than is required,

The tax collector can’t even raise his head because by the grace of God, he knows in his heart that who he is, a sinner, has led to him doing all he’s done and just begs God for mercy

Think of the moments when you’ve been in preaching and the preacher points out a verse or passage that the Holy Spirit uses to step all over your toes because of some sin or conviction you’ve ignored

We would tell someone: “It made me feel about this big...”

Jesus is saying here what I heard while studying: “THAT’S TOO MUCH! It’s much too much. That much self righteousness will send you to hell!”

Bringing their babies to Jesus for healing Luke 18:15-17

Luke 18:15–17 KJV

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 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. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

whether the disciples thought Jesus was too busy or too important to be bothered by these parents and their kids, they rebuked them

Jesus corrects them by receiving the children and pointing out it’s those that come like children to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs, not those that are proud of themselves like the Pharisee was.

As a matter of fact unless all come to Him with the same childlike faith with complete dependence and trust in Jesus, nobody gets in!

The rich young ruler Luke 18:18-30

Luke 18:18–30 KJV

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 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. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 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. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 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! 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. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 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, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

By God’s providence, the perfect example of what Jesus is teaching comes to him

Don’t know what kind of ruler he was, coulda been Jewish, maybe even Roman. “Good Master” is just an empty greeting, a throwaway line- like saying “Good Sir” in old-fashioned greetings

We do know, he’s a ruler with some authority and thinks Jesus has something to offer when it comes to eternal life and asks how to get it

Jesus responds by asking him why he called Him good? Doesn’t he know that God is the only good master. The rest are wretched sinners in need of grace.

Jesus is also saying “Think about what you’re asking! Eternal life is to be in the presence of the awesome, fearful, perfect holiness of God. For that you don’t need a checklist, you need the mercy of God!”

The ruler asked what he needed to do, so Jesus tells him what he should do: no adultery, no killing, no stealing, no lying, and honor his mother and father. All things we are supposed to do toward men

His answer shows his heart. The ruler basically says “is that it? piece of cake, been doing all those since I was a kid!” The ruler can’t see what he doesn’t see.

Jesus tells the ruler “maybe, but you’re missing one thing” “go and sell everything. Then give all the money to the poor and you’ll have made it, come, follow me”

For all the man had done toward his neighbors, with one sentence Jesus points out the rulers money had pushed God off the thrown of his heart.

24-26: Jesus, using the largest animal they would all have thought of and the smallest opening they all would have thought of, tells all of them and us it’s impossible to buy our way into heaven. When money is our god, we’ll get the only eternity that money can deliver. No eternity at all!

Their response is “well, can anybody get in then?”

Jesus answers directing them away from the money and back to source: God Himself is the only way

Peter says: “we did all that you told him, what do we get?”

Jesus assures Peter and us that all who’ve given up the world for Jesus and the kingdom of heaven, will get more back now AND in eternity than they gave up.

He’s not saying “sow a seed and reap wealth” He’s not even necessarily talking about getting money at all.

Gaining salvation and then giving for the kingdom until we reach heaven is worth more than anything we have here on earth, but God also has the right to reward us here with whatever he sees fit and whatever He gives- is enough, no matter what it looks like!

We learn later that Peter gets it. He says to Simeon the Magician: Acts 8:20–21 “20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”

Another prophecy of the passion Luke 18:31-34

Luke 18:31–34 KJV

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. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Jesus is fulfilling ‘all things written by the prophets’- Psalm 22 ('They have pierced my hands and feet'), Psalm 69 (given vinegar to drink), Isaiah 53 ('led as a lamb to the slaughter'), and many others. Everything happening to Jesus was predicted centuries before."

Each time Jesus prophesies about His death it gets more explicit than the last. This is the first time he mentions being turned over to the Gentiles.

Luke 9:22 “22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”

"Jesus had predicted His resurrection multiple times, but they kept missing it. Even after hearing it again here, they still don't understand—which is why the angels at the tomb have to remind them:

Luke 24:5–6 “5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,”

The disciples were looking for a dead body because they'd forgotten Jesus said He would rise."

Luke 24:8 “8 And they remembered his words,”

A blind man receives sight Luke 18:35-43

Luke 18:35–43 KJV

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 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. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

“And it came to pass” We see God’s providence again.

The blind man hears the hubbub as he’s by the road begging. He asks some that he hears passing by “what’s up?” And they answer “It’s Jesus passing by”

“JESUS, THOU SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” Why wouldn’t he shout? "He's heard about Jesus healing impossible cases, and if nothing else, he's definitely an impossible case—a blind beggar with no hope except Jesus. So when those around him tell him to be quiet, that he should “hold his peace” —a beggar, ritually unclean, and irrelevant! Of course he yells louder!

Now for our learning, “thou Son of David” was a Jewish Messianic title. He’s at least implying Jesus is the Messiah

Jesus stops and tells them to bring the man to Him. Then Jesus asks him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man asks for his sight.

When Jesus said “Receive thy sight”, the man could immediately see. No haze, or even his eyes having to adjust to the light. The bible says he saw perfectly immediately!

By saying 'thy faith hath saved thee,' Jesus confirms the man's confession—yes, Jesus is the Messiah, and yes, this faith in Him brings salvation.

The man not only saw physically immediately, but immediately is aware he’s been saved and he gives glory to God rejoicing in his sight AND salvation

Got to see the irony!

vv. 31-34: Disciples can't understand despite Jesus explaining clearly—"this saying was hidden from them"

vv. 35-43: Blind beggar immediately sees physically AND spiritually

Disciples with physical sight are spiritually blind

Blind beggar receives both physical and spiritual sight

Those who think they see are blind; the one who knows he's blind receives sight

Conclusion

Good preaching doesn’t scratch your itch- it creates an itch that only God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's grace can scratch.

The rich ruler thought he could buy his way in with his good works and clean living. But listen to what Peter—who learned from Jesus—says about what actually redeems us:

1 Peter 1:18–19 “18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

The rich ruler had wealth, status, and self-righteousness—and went away sad. The beggar has nothing but desperate faith—and receives everything: sight, salvation, and joy.

Which one are you?