March 26: Luke 18
Jesus Gives a Parable about Prayer
18 One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope. He shared with them this illustration:
2 âIn a certain town there was a civil judge, a thick-skinned and godless man who had no fear of othersâ opinions. 3 And there was a poor widow in that town who kept pleading with the judge, âGrant me justice and protect me against my oppressor!â
4â5 âHe ignored her pleas for quite some time, but she kept asking. Eventually he said to himself, âThis widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and Iâm tired of listening to her. Even though Iâm not a religious man and donât care about the opinions of others, Iâll just get her off my back by answering her claims for justice and Iâll rule in her favor. Then sheâll leave me alone.ââ
6 The Lord continued, âDid you hear what the ungodly judge saidâthat he would answer her persistent request? 7 Donât you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all of his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day? He will pour out his Spirit upon them.[a] He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. 8 God will give swift justice to those who donât give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, just like the widow was with the judge. Yet when the Son of Man comes back, will he find this kind of persistent faithfulness in his people?â
Humility in Prayer
9 Jesus taught this parable to those who were convinced they were morally upright and those who trusted in their own virtue yet looked down on others with disgust:
10 âOnce there were two men who went into the temple to pray. One was a proud religious leader, the other a despised tax collector. 11â12 The religious leader stood apart from the others and prayed, âHow I thank you, O God, that Iâm not wicked like everyone else. Theyâre cheaters, swindlers, and crooksâlike that tax collector over there. God, you know that I never cheat or commit adultery; I fast from food twice a week and I give you a tenth of all I make.â
13 âThe tax collector stood off alone in the corner, away from the Holy Place, and covered his face in his hands, feeling that he was unworthy to even look up to God. Beating his breast,[b] he sobbed with brokenness and tears saying, âGod, please, in your mercy and because of the blood sacrifice, forgive me,[c] for I am nothing but the most miserable of all sinners!â
14 âWhich one of them left for home that day made right with God? It was the humble tax collector and not the religious leader! For everyone who praises himself will one day be humiliated before all, and everyone who humbles himself will one day be lifted up and honored before all.â
Jesus Blesses Children
15 The people brought their babies and small children[d] to Jesus so that he might lay his hands on them to bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents and told them to stop troubling the Master. 16 But Jesus called for the parents, the children, and his disciples to come and listen to him. Then he told them, âNever hinder a child from coming to me. Let them all come, for Godâs kingdom realm belongs to them as much as it does to anyone else. They demonstrate to you what faith is all about. 17 Learn this well: unless you receive the revelation of the kingdom realm the same way a little child receives it, you will never be able to enter in.â
Jesus Speaks with a Young, Wealthy Official
18 One day a wealthy Jewish nobleman of high standing posed this question to Jesus: âWonderful Teacher, what must I do to be saved and receive eternal life?â
19 Jesus answered, âWhy would you call me wonderful when there is only one who is wonderfulâand that is God alone?[e] 20 You already know what is right and what the commandments teach: âDo not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not lie, and respectfully honor your father and your mother.ââ
21 The wealthy leader replied, âThese are the very things Iâve been doing for as long as I can remember.â
22 âAh,â Jesus said. âBut thereâs still one thing youâre missing in your life.â
âWhat is that?â asked the man.
âYou must go and sell everything you own and give all the proceeds to the poor so you will have eternal treasures. Then come and follow me.â[f]
23 When the rich leader heard these words, he was devastated, for he was extremely wealthy.
24 Jesus saw his disappointment, and looking right at him he said, âIt is next to impossible for those who have everything to enter into Godâs kingdom realm. 25 Nothing could be harder! It could be compared to trying to stuff a rope through the eye of a needle.â[g]
26 Those who heard this said, âThen who can be saved?â
27 Jesus responded, âWhat appears humanly impossible is more than possible with God. For God can do what man cannot.â
28 Peter said, âLord, see how weâve left all that we have, our houses and our careers, to follow you.â
29â30 Jesus replied, âListen to my words: anyone who leaves his home behind and chooses Godâs kingdom realm over wife, children, parents, and family, it will come back to him many more times in this lifetime.[h] And in the age to come, he will inherit even more than thatâhe will inherit eternal life!â
Jesus Prophesies His Death and Resurrection
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside in private and told them, âWe are going to Jerusalem so that everything prophesied about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 They will betray him and hand him over to the people, and they will mock him, insult him, and spit in his face. 33 And after they have abused[i] and flogged the Son of Man, they will kill him. But in three days he will rise again.â
34 The disciples didnât have a clue what he was saying, for his words were a mystery that was hidden from them.
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 As Jesus and his followers arrived at Jericho, there was a blind beggar sitting on the roadside. 36 When he heard the crowd approaching, he asked, âWhatâs all this commotion about?â
37 âItâs Jesus!â they said. âJesus the Nazarene is passing by.â
38 The blind beggar shouted, âJesus, Son of David,[j] have pity and show me mercy!â
39 Those who were in the front of the crowd scolded him and warned him to be quiet. But the blind beggar screamed out even louder, âJesus, Son of David, show me mercy!â
40 Suddenly Jesus stopped. He told those nearby, âBring the man over to me.â When they brought him before Jesus, he asked the man, 41 âWhat is it you want me to do for you?â
âLord,â he said, âplease, I want to see again.â
42 Jesus said, âNow you will see. Receive your sight this moment. For your faith in me has given you sight and new life.â[k]
43 Instantly he could see again. His eyes popped opened, and he saw Jesus. He shouted loud praises to God and he followed Jesus. And when the crowd saw what happened, they too erupted with shouts of praise to God.