Luke 18

Luke’s Good News

Luke

Hilda Bright

Chapter 18

Two *parables about prayer 18:1-14

1 The widow and the judge 18:1-8

v1 Jesus told his *disciples a *parable. It showed that they should continue to pray. They should not give up. v2 ‘In a certain town there was a judge who did not respect God’s laws. Also, he did not care about people’s rights or opinions. v3 There was a widow in that town who kept coming to the judge. Someone had acted wrongly against her. She wanted the judge to give her a right judgement against that person. v4 For a long time the judge refused to do anything. At last he thought, “I do not respect God. I do not care what people think. But I will make sure that she gets her rights. v5 She is giving me so much trouble. If I do not help her, she will keep coming to me. She will wear me out!” ’ v6 The *Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. v7 God will rescue his own people who call to him all the time for help. He will not be slow to help them. v8 I tell you this. He will make sure that they get fair results. He will do it quickly. The *Son of Man will return. But he will not find many people who have *faith in him then.’

Verse 2 The judge was probably a *Gentile official whom Herod or the *Romans appointed. He was a judge who wanted money. People called them ‘thief judges’. *Jewish courts had three judges. That made fair decisions more likely.

Verse 3 The widow was someone who was without help (Malachi 3:5). She had no friends who could persuade the judge to act for her. She had no money to encourage the judge to answer her request.

Verses 4-5 The judge answered her in the end. It was not because it was his duty. He was losing his patience because she kept coming to him.

Verses 7-8 God is very different from the unjust judge. God is not impatient. Sometimes he seems to delay the answer to the prayers of his people. But he will see that they get right judgement. This may not happen when people want it to. God knows the right moment to answer their prayers. Jesus will return to earth one day. He wonders whether he will find people who are loyal to him. He wonders how many people will continue to pray.

2. The *Pharisee and the *tax-collector 18:9-14

v9 Some people were sure of their own goodness. They thought that all other people were bad. So Jesus also told this *parable to them. v10 ‘Once there were two men. They went to the *Temple to pray. One man was a *Pharisee, the other man was a *tax-collector. v11 The *Pharisee stood by himself when he prayed. He said, “I thank you, God, because I am not like other people. I am not greedy or unjust. I do not have sex with other men’s wives. I thank you that I am not like that *tax-collector over there. v12 I go without food twice a week. I give you one tenth of all my income”. v13 But the *tax-collector stood at a distance. He dared not even look up to heaven. But he hit his *chest and said, “God, pity me! I am so bad!” ’ v14 Jesus said, ‘I tell you this. God forgave the *tax-collector when he went home. But God did not forgive the *Pharisee. If anyone thinks that he is important, God will make him humble. God will forgive anyone who is humble’.

Verse 10 People went to the *Temple court for private prayer. The *Pharisee ‘stood’. The *Jews usually stood when they prayed.

Verses 11-12 The *Pharisee informed God of the wrong things that he had not done. He then spoke of some *religious practices that the Law did not require. The Law told every *Jew to *fast on a special day that they called the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29). *Pharisees *fasted twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. The Law ordered that people should give a tenth of their oil, grain and *wine to the *Levites (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). The *Pharisee did more than this. He gave even a tenth of the small plants in his garden. He compared himself with the *tax-collector. The *Pharisee thought that he was praying. But really, he was praising himself. He used the word ‘I’ many times, as he was interested only in himself. He compared himself with other people. He should have compared himself with God, who is holy.

Verse 13 The *tax-collector put his head down. He kept hitting himself to show how sorry he was. He knew that he was a *sinner. He knew that he needed God to forgive him.

Verse 14 Nobody can be proud of himself in front of God. The men went home, but only the *tax-collector had pleased God. He had been humble and he asked God to forgive him. A person’s attitude is important to God.

Jesus and children 18:15-17

v15 Some people brought their babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. The *disciples told them not to bother Jesus. v16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the children come to me. Do not stop them. The people who are like children belong to the *kingdom of God. v17 Remember this! You will never get into God’s *kingdom, unless you enter it like a child’.

Verse 15 Jesus probably placed his hands on the children’s heads. This was the way that he gave them a *blessing. The *disciples protested. They probably thought that Jesus was too busy and tired. Jesus was helping and teaching the adults. The *disciples thought that children were not as important.

Verses 16-17 Children trust and believe people. And they accept gifts with delight. The only people who are in God’s *kingdom are those who trust and accept his rule over their lives.

The rich young ruler 18:18-30

v18 A *Jewish ruler asked Jesus, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to receive *eternal life?’ v19 Jesus asked him, ‘Why do you call me good? Only God is good. v20 You know the *commandments: “Do not have sex with anyone who is not your wife. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about someone. Respect your father and mother” ’. v21 The man replied, ‘Ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these *commandments’. v22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one more thing that you need to do. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor. Then you will have wealth in heaven. Then come back and be my *disciple’. v23 But, when the man heard this, he became very sad. That was because he was very rich. v24 Jesus saw that he was sad, and said, ‘It is very hard for rich people to enter the *kingdom of God. v25 It is difficult for a camel to go through the hole of a needle. It is even harder for a rich man to enter the *kingdom of God’. v26 The people who heard him asked, ‘If that is true, then whom can God *save?’ v27 Jesus answered, ‘What is impossible for people, God can do’. v28 Then Peter said, ‘Look! We have left our homes to follow you’. v29 ‘Yes’, Jesus said to them. ‘I tell you the truth. If anyone leaves his family and becomes my *disciple, he will receive much more from God. v30 He will receive much more in this present time, and receive *eternal life in the future age’.

Verse 18 The man was a leader of the *Jews. He may have been a ruler of a *synagogue. Matthew tells us that he was young (Matthew 19:22). The ruler used the word ‘Teacher’ because he respected Jesus. He thought that he had to do things to earn life with God after death.

Verse 19 Jesus asked why the ruler had called him ‘good’. Jesus was not denying that he was good. Instead, he was reminding the ruler that only God is completely good. Therefore, if the ruler meant that Jesus was good, he was saying something very important. Moreover, *eternal life is life with the God of absolute goodness. The ruler could not have been as good as God is. Therefore the ruler should have asked for God’s *mercy, rather than how he could earn *eternal life as a reward.

Verse 20 The ruler had asked what he should ‘do’. So Jesus mentioned five *commandments. These speak of a person’s duty to other people. Jesus left out the *commandments that speak of duty to God.

Verse 21 Jesus mentioned five *commandments. The ruler believed that he had obeyed those five. He had obeyed them all his life.

Verse 22 Jesus knew that the man’s wealth separated him and God. He trusted in his riches rather than in God’s *mercy. Jesus promised him wealth in heaven, which is *eternal life. But he must have no possessions to take first place in his life.

Verses 24-25 Jesus saw that the ruler was sad. Jesus said that it is difficult for rich people to accept God as their king. ‘It is difficult for a camel to go through the hole of a needle’. Writers have explained what this means in three different ways:

1 A camel with a load on its back could not squeeze through a very narrow gate into a city. A man with a ‘load’ of riches cannot enter the *kingdom.

2 The *Greek word for camel is similar to the word for a very thick type of string. This string could not go through a needle’s hole.

3 This is the most probable explanation. Jesus used a phrase that means something is impossible. The *Jews had a similar phrase about an elephant.

Verse 26 The people who listened were astonished. They thought that wealth was evidence of God’s *blessing. However, Jesus said it was difficult for a rich man. Therefore, the people wondered whether it was possible at all for anyone else.

Verse 27 God has *mercy and he can work *miracles. He can *save people who cannot *save themselves.

Verse 28 Peter says that he and the other *disciples have left everything. Therefore, he thinks that they must deserve some reward, either on earth or in heaven.

Verses 29-30 Jesus replied that God’s rewards are always far greater than service to him. If *disciples have to leave their own family, they still belong to the far larger family of God. And they will have *eternal life with God.

Jesus speaks about his death for the third time 18:31-34

v31 Jesus spoke to the 12 *apostles in private. ‘Listen! We are going to Jerusalem. There everything that the *prophets wrote about the *Son of Man will come true. v32 People will hand him over to the *Gentiles. The *Gentiles will laugh at him. They will insult him and *spit on him. v33 They will whip him and kill him. But three days later he will rise to life’. v34 But the *disciples did not understand any of these things. They failed to realise what he meant. They did not know what Jesus was talking about.

Verse 31 What happens in Jerusalem will be part of God’s plan.

Verses 32-33 This is the first time that Jesus speaks of *Gentiles. He refers to the way that they kill people. They were whipped before *crucifixion. But that would not be a defeat for Jesus, because he would rise again.

Verse 34 Jesus had spoken about people dying in order to live (Luke 17:33). The *apostles may have thought that he was speaking about that again. They did not understand what Jesus meant. Not until after he died and rose again.

Jesus *heals a poor blind man 18:35-43

v35 Jesus came near to the town of Jericho. There was a blind man who was sitting at the side of the road. He was asking people for money. v36 When he heard the crowd passing by, he asked, ‘What is happening?’ v37 ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by’, they told him. v38 He cried out, ‘Jesus, *Son of David, please pity me!’ v39 The people in the front of the crowd told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, ‘*Son of David, please pity me!’ v40 So Jesus stopped and ordered, ‘Bring the blind man to me’. When the blind man came near, Jesus asked him, v41 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘*Lord’, he answered, ‘I want to be able to see’. v42 Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight! Your *faith has made you well’. v43 At once the man was able to see. He followed Jesus and gave thanks to God. When the crowd saw this, they all praised God.

Mark 10:46 says that the blind man’s name was Bartimaeus.

Verse 35 Jericho was an important city about 15 miles (24 kilometres) from Jerusalem. Jesus and his *apostles were on the last part of the journey to Jerusalem, where Jesus would die.

Verse 36 The crowd would include people on their way to Jerusalem for the *Passover. So, the blind man would hear that many more people than usual were passing by.

Verses 37–38 Many people believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the *Messiah. The blind man must have heard that. He called out to Jesus as ‘*Son of David’. This was one of the names of the *Messiah. Jesus did not say that it was wrong to call him this.

Verse 39 The people wanted the man to stop shouting. They could not hear Jesus when he shouted. Perhaps they thought that he only wanted money. He was also delaying their journey to Jerusalem. They were selfish and impatient.

Verses 40-41 Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. Jesus knew that the man wanted more than money. But the man had to express himself what he needed. God knows what we need. But he wants us to tell him.

Verse 42 Sometimes Jesus touched blind people and cured them (Mark 8:22–25; John 9:1-7). This time Jesus just spoke. The man did not doubt that Jesus could make him see. People had tried to stop the man. But he had continued to ask Jesus to help him. The man’s *faith *healed him.

Verse 43 The man could see immediately. He became a *disciple of Jesus. He began to thank God for what Jesus had done for him. The crowd joined in and praised God too.

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)

parable ~ a story with a moral meaning.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.'Son of Man ~ special name that Jesus used of himself.
faith ~ trust.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Pharisees ~ group of Jews who were very strict about the law of Moses.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'tax-collector ~ man who received taxes for the government.
tax ~ money that people must pay to the government.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
chest ~ top part of a person’s body where the heart is.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
fast ~ to choose not to eat and drink for a time.
wine ~ a drink made from grapes.
grape ~ fruit of vine.
vine ~ plant that produces grapes.
Levite ~ priest’s helper in the Temple.
priest ~ a man that gave gifts and burned animals as a sacrifice to God for the Jews; a man that God chose to serve him.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins; or to thank him for something.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.'bless, blessing ~ to say or to do much good to a person; to call something holy; to ask God for good things to happen; to guard and to keep from evil things.
eternal ~ without beginning or end.
commandment ~ a rule that God gave.'save/salvation ~ rescue from the power and result of sin.

sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather to pray and to study the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
mercy ~ be kind to and help a person who does wrong.
Greek ~ language of the *New Testament. Many people spoke Greek in *New Testament times.
miracle ~ an event that seems to be against the usual laws of nature.
apostle ~ one of the 12 men whom Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
prophet ~ one who tells God’s messages.
spit ~ to send liquid out of the mouth.
crucifixion ~ to nail someone to a wooden cross in order to kill them.
heal ~ cure; make completely well.'Son of David ~ descendant of David; a title of Messiah.
descendants ~ future members of a family or nation.

Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.

Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Passover ~ annual ceremony to remember when God rescued the Jews from Egypt.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.

'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.

Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.

Luke: The Man Christ Jesus

Jesus on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem

Luke 9:51-19

Ian Mackervoy

Chapter 18

Two stories about prayer – Luke 18:1-14

v1 Then Jesus told his *disciples a story. It showed them that they should always pray. They should pray and they should never give up. v2 He said, ‘In a certain town, there was a judge. This judge was not afraid of God and he did not care about people. v3 There was a widow in that town. She came to the judge. She said to him, “Act on my behalf against my enemy.”

v4 For some time he refused to do anything on her behalf. But later he said to himself, “I am not afraid of God. And I do not care about people. v5 However, this widow bothers me so much. I will give to her the help that she wants. Otherwise, she will come so often that she will wear me out.” ’

v6 And the *Lord said, ‘Listen to the judge. Although he does not act in a right or proper manner, he still said that. v7 God will certainly do what is right for his people. They are the people whom he has chosen. They cry out to him day and night. He will not be slow to answer them. v8 I tell you that God will help his people quickly. The Son of Man will come again. But he may not find on earth many people who believe in him.’

v9 Jesus told a story to some people. These people were confident that they were good people. And they thought that they were superior to all other people. v10 He said, ‘Two men went up to the *temple to pray. One man was a *Pharisee, and the other man’s work was to collect taxes. v11 The *Pharisee stood alone and he prayed. “God, I thank you that I am not like other men. They steal and they cheat. They act unfairly. They are guilty of *adultery. I thank you that I am not a *sinner, like this man. He collects taxes. v12 Twice each week, I choose not to eat because of my religion. And I give a 10th of everything that I get.” v13 The man who collected taxes stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his hands on his upper body. And he said, “God, pity me. I am such a bad *sinner.” v14 I tell you that this man, and not the *Pharisee, went home with a right relationship with God. God will make humble everyone who tries to make himself great. Those people who are humble, God will make great.’

Verses 1-6 Jesus had spoken about the time when he will come again. Nobody knows when that time will be. In the meantime, those people who believe in Jesus should pray. The *Jews would pray every day and up to three times a day. But Christians can pray at any time and as often as they want. They should pray often and they should not stop. Christians must pray until Jesus comes. And they should never give up hope.

Jesus did not teach that God was like the bad judge. God is not like that in any way. However, even the bad judge did what was right in the end. God loves his people. He always does what is best for them. The story is all about the widow. She continued to ask the judge to make a decision on her behalf. If she had not done so, the judge would not have made that decision.

The bad judge did what seemed best for him. He did not bother about right or fair decisions. He did not respect God and he was not afraid of God. Maybe he had accepted money from a rich enemy of the widow. It was much easier to refuse this widow’s appeal. But she would not accept that. She continued to come to him. And she continued to ask him to act for her benefit. In the end, he had to make the right decision on her behalf and against her enemy.

The bad judge made the right decision because the widow insisted on an answer. God is good. He will always do what is right. He hears his people as they cry out to him day and night. They realise that they need God’s help. They know that their only hope is in God. God does not always answer immediately. But he will not delay the answers. He will act on their behalf at the proper time.

Jesus said, ‘I am coming soon’ (Revelation 22:20). The *apostle John replied, ‘Come, *Lord Jesus.’ But maybe he will not find many who pray with *faith. Perhaps there will be just a few Christians who are praying with *faith for his return.

Verses 9-14 Luke does not say who the people in verse 9 were. Many people think that they are good enough to get to heaven. They trust more in themselves than they do in God. But this is a serious mistake. The Bible tells us that all have *sinned (Romans 3:23). Therefore, nobody can get to heaven by what he has done. Many people think that they are superior to other people. They consider that those other people are greater *sinners. But this attitude is not a good one. God hates all *sin, whether in our opinion it is a great *sin or a small *sin.

Jesus told this story about two men. One was a *Pharisee. The *Pharisees tried to obey all the rules and traditions of their religion. Many of them were proud. They thought that they were better than other people. The other man collected taxes. Most people hated the men who did this work. That was because they worked for the *Romans. Many of them collected more taxes than were due. In this, many of them robbed the people and they became rich. These two men came into the *temple to pray.

The *Pharisee stood to pray. This was the normal way to pray in the *temple or in the *synagogue (Mark 11:25). However, he prayed with an attitude of pride. He thanked God that he was better than other people. He thanked God that he was not a *sinner like the other man. He spoke of the bad things that he did not do. Then he told the *Lord of the good things that he did. What the *Pharisee said about himself was true. He chose not to eat frequently, in fact, more often than God’s law orders the *Jews to do. He gave a 10th of more than the law said (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). But he prayed with a wrong attitude. He was not humble. He showed no sense of *sin in himself. He did not express his need for help from God. He expected God to *bless him as a reward because of his good deeds.

The man who collected taxes had a completely different attitude. He knew that he was a *sinner. He stood at the back of this area of the *temple. It would have been normal to look up to pray. But this man would not look up. He was so aware of his *sins. He was so sorry that he beat his upper body. (It was the custom to do that when people felt very sad and desperate.) His prayer was short and simple. He did not tell God how good he was. He just said how bad a *sinner he was. He asked God to pity him and to forgive him.

God accepted the prayer of the man who collected taxes. God answered his prayer and God forgave his *sin. The prayer of the *Pharisee did not need an answer. He received nothing from God.

Jesus told this story to teach that God hates pride. God opposes those people who are proud. Those people who make themselves important, God will refuse. But God accepts those people who are humble. To them, God will give honour.

Jesus and the children – Luke 18:15-17

v15 Some people brought even babies to Jesus, because they wanted him to touch them. When the *disciples saw this, they told the people to stop. v16 But Jesus called for the children to come to him. He said, ‘Allow the children to come to me. Do not stop them, because God’s *kingdom belongs to such as these. v17 I tell you the truth. You must accept God’s *kingdom as a child does. If you do not, you will never enter the *kingdom.’

Verses 15-17 People, probably parents, brought their babies and little children to Jesus (Mark 10:13). They wanted Jesus to put his hands on them and to bless them. The *disciples tried to stop them. Maybe the *disciples thought that Jesus was too busy or too tired. Maybe they thought that little children were not important. But Jesus considered the little children to be very important. He wanted them to come to him. He told the *disciples not to stop them.

Jesus took the little children in his arms. He put his hands on them and he blessed them (Mark 10:16).

Little children have simple trust in their parents. The *kingdom of God is open to people who have such simple trust in Jesus. In this way, people need to become as little children to enter the *kingdom of God. The way in is not by deeds but by *faith. Without this simple trust in Jesus, there is no way into the *kingdom.

The rich young ruler – Luke 18:18-30

v18 A certain ruler asked Jesus, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to have *eternal life?’

v19 Jesus said to him, ‘You call me good. But nobody is good except God alone. v20 You know God’s commands. “Do not *sin in *adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false evidence. Give honour to your father and to your mother.” ’

v21 The ruler replied, ‘Yes. I have obeyed all of these since I was a boy.’

v22 Jesus heard this reply. He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything that you have. Then give it to poor people. And you will have wealth in heaven. Then come and follow me.’

v23 When the ruler heard this, he became very sad. This was because he was very wealthy. v24 Jesus looked at him. And Jesus said, ‘It is very hard for wealthy people to enter God’s *kingdom. v25 It would not be easy for a camel to go through a *needle’s eye. It is more difficult for a wealthy person to enter God’s *kingdom.’

v26 The people who heard him asked, ‘Then whom can God save?’

v27 Jesus replied, ‘God can do anything. He can do the things that are impossible for people to do.’

v28 Peter said to Jesus, ‘We have left everything. And we have followed you.’

v29 Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth. Some people have left their homes and their wives. Some people have left their brothers, parents and children. They have left all this for God’s *kingdom. v30 But they will certainly receive much more in this present age. And in the age that will come, they will have *eternal life.’

Verses 18-21 A ruler came to Jesus. He was a young man and he was wealthy (Matthew 19:22). We do not know what he ruled. He could have been an official in the government or in a *synagogue. But he was probably too young to be a *synagogue ruler.

He called Jesus the good teacher. It was very unusual to call any man ‘good teacher’. Jesus replied that nobody was good except God. Jesus did not say that he was not good. In effect, the young man gave to Jesus a name that belonged to God. What the young man had said was important. Maybe he did not think about what he said. But perhaps he did recognise Jesus as the Son of God.

The ruler asked Jesus what he must do to have *eternal life. He thought that somehow he could earn *eternal life. Jesus said that nobody is good except God. Therefore, nobody can achieve *eternal life because nobody is good enough.

Jesus answered the question about what the man should do. He referred to 5 of God’s 10 commands (Exodus chapter 20, Deuteronomy chapter 5). These 5 commands are about our duty to other people. The young man thought that he had obeyed these commands from childhood. If he had thought more about it, he would not have been so sure. He would have realised that he had neglected to obey even these 5 commands. To other people he may have seemed without blame in the law. But in himself, he could not have been perfect to the standard that these commands declare to be necessary. (See James 2:10-11.)

On this occasion, Jesus did not mention those commands that are about our duty to God.

Verses 22-25 The young ruler thought that he had obeyed the commands of God. But he was wealthy and his wealth had become his god. In other words, he trusted in his wealth rather than in God. The first command is that we must *worship the real God only. So, Jesus told him to sell all that he had. He should give the money to poor people. Then he would have no wealth on earth but he would be rich in heaven. Then he should follow Jesus.

This action was special to that man. It is not a general rule for all people. The principle for everyone is that nothing should take the place of God in our lives. We cannot trust in wealth or anything else.

The young man did not want to give away his money in order to serve God. Luke does not tell us that he refused to obey Jesus. But at that time he went away very sad because he was very wealthy.

It is hard for rich people to enter the *kingdom of God. They seem to have sufficient for all that they need. They trust in what they have. They feel no need for God’s help. So, it is very difficult for them to realise that they do need God.

It would be impossible for a camel to go through a *needle’s eye. It is impossible for a rich person to buy his way into heaven. But God can do what is not possible for men.

Verses 26-30 People thought that it was good to be rich. It showed that God had *blessed that person. So, a rich person should have the best opportunity for life after death. So, if it is so difficult for them, it must be worse for other people. If rich people cannot achieve *salvation, then nobody else can. That is true. Nobody can achieve *salvation. But what is impossible for people is possible with God. *Salvation for rich people and for poor people is by the kindness of God. *Eternal life is a gift from God that no person can earn.

Peter said that the *disciples had left everything. And they had followed Jesus.

In his reply, Jesus showed that God could not be in debt to anyone. So, if a person gives up anything for God’s *kingdom, God will give more. He will give to him in this life and in the life to come. But the promise of reward cannot be the purpose of the person’s action. It must be on behalf of God’s *kingdom and in the purposes of God.

Jesus tells about his death – Luke 18:31-34

v31 Jesus took the 12 *disciples aside. He said to them, ‘Listen. We are going to Jerusalem. There everything that the *prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen. v32 The *Jewish leaders will hand him over to the foreigners. They will laugh at him. They will insult him and they will *spit on him. v33 They will beat him with whips and they will kill him. But on the third day he will rise to life again.’

v34 The *disciples did not understand any of this. What he said was a mystery to them. And they did not know what he meant.

Verses 31-34 There are many *prophecies in the *Old Testament that tell about the *Christ’s death. Jesus told the *disciples that these *prophecies were about him. He would die in Jerusalem. This was part of God’s purposes for him and for our *salvation.

The *Jewish leaders would hand him over to the *Romans. They would make fun of him and they would insult him. They would *spit on him. They would hurt him with whips and they would kill him. But death could not defeat Jesus; Jesus would defeat the power of death. On the third day after his death, Jesus would rise to life again.

Jesus had spoken about his death several times before. But the *disciples still did not understand about his death. They could not understand that Jesus would come back to life again. Perhaps their hopes about him made it especially difficult for them to think about his death. They hoped that he would lead the *Jews to defeat the *Romans. By that means, they expected him to become the king of the *Jews.

Jesus cures a blind man – Luke 18:35-43

v35 As Jesus came near to the city called Jericho, a blind man sat by the road. He was asking people to give money to him. v36 He heard the crowd go by. He asked what was happening. v37 The people told him that Jesus from Nazareth was going by.

v38 The blind man cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, pity me.’

v39 The people at the front of the crowd told the blind man to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, ‘Son of David, pity me.’

v40 Jesus stopped and he ordered them to bring the blind man to him. When he came near, Jesus spoke to him. v41 He asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied, ‘*Lord, I want to see.’

v42 Jesus told him, ‘Receive your sight. Your *faith has cured you.’ v43 Immediately, he could see again. He followed Jesus and he gave honour to God. All the people saw this, and they praised God.

Verses 35-37 On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus crossed the river Jordan. As he approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the road. The blind man heard the noise of the crowd that followed Jesus. He learned from the people that Jesus from Nazareth was there.

In Matthew, there were two blind men. In that incident, Jesus was leaving Jericho. Jesus cured both of them (Matthew 20:29-34). In Mark, as Jesus was leaving Jericho, there was a blind man called Bartimaeus. And Jesus cured him (Mark 10:46-52). It seems that the accounts from Matthew and Mark are the same. If so, Bartimaeus had a companion whom Mark does not mention. Perhaps Bartimaeus was the one who first cried out to Jesus. The account in Luke seems to be different because Jesus had not yet arrived in Jericho. So, Luke is describing a third blind man whom Jesus cured during this visit to Jericho.

The blind man had heard about Jesus, the *prophet from Nazareth. Jesus had become famous. The blind man had heard stories of how Jesus cured people. He believed that Jesus could cure him.

Verses 38-39 He cried out to Jesus. The people near to the man told him to be quiet. But he continued to cry out. He shouted out even louder to Jesus. He asked Jesus to pity him.

He called Jesus ‘the Son of David’. The Son of David was the *Christ whom, in the *Old Testament, God had promised to send. It seems that, on this occasion, Jesus accepted the title ‘Son of David’. If so, then here he agreed that he was the *Christ.

Verses 40-43 Jesus stood still and he asked the people to bring the blind man to him. Then Jesus asked the man what he wanted. The man had asked Jesus to pity him. Now the man replied to Jesus that he wanted to see. He believed that Jesus could cure his sight.

Jesus told the man to see again. The means by which the man could see was his *faith. He believed and immediately he received his sight. He followed Jesus and he praised God. Also, the people saw this and they praised God.

disciple ~ a person who follows a leader, especially the 12 men that Jesus chose to be with him.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Pharisees ~ a group of Jews who tried to obey all God’s rules. Many of them did not approve of Jesus.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
adultery ~ sex with a person who is not one’s wife or husband.
sinners ~ people who sin.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
apostle ~ someone whom God sends; especially one of the 12 men whom Jesus chose to be his helpers.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; belief and trust in God and in Jesus Christ his Son.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that time. Anything that belonged to Rome was Roman.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather for prayer; a meeting place for Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
bless ~ to show kindness to someone.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this is nearly always the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
eternal ~ something that will always be and will never end.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
salvation ~ the result when God saves us from sin and punishment; the new life that God gives to those people who believe in the Lord Jesus.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
salvation ~ the result when God saves us from sin and punishment; the new life that God gives to those people who believe in the Lord Jesus.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
eternal ~ something that will always be and will never end.
prophet ~ person who speaks on behalf of God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
spit ~ to force liquid from the mouth.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit whom Jesus sent to help his people. It is another name for God, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He lives and works for God, he is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.

'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to be the Saviour of his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
Saviour ~ a title for Jesus, who saves his people from their sins.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.