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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