God always encourages us to come before Him in prayer. Sometimes He does not answer our prayers as quickly as we would like. Sometimes the answer is “No” or “Wait,” but be certain, He knows what is best for us. If we are treated badly because we are His children, there is coming a day when He will avenge His people, perhaps not here, but hereafter.
Next, the Lord shows us how we are to come before Him in prayer. The Pharisee had a longer prayer than the publican, but he was self-righteous and exalted himself. The publican smote upon his breast, the heart being the source of all his sin, and called on God for mercy. We read that through the Lord Jesus “all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39).
How sad it is to see that the disciples didn’t want the little children brought to Jesus. Do you know that unless you receive the kingdom of God as a little child, you cannot enter in?
The ruler who wanted eternal life was rich but he lacked one thing. It was faith in Jesus, for he would not follow Him. Are you willing to follow the Lord Jesus even though it will cost you something — perhaps everything?
The Lord was gradually making His way to Jerusalem. It was there that the Jews would deliver Him to the Gentiles. He would be mocked, spitefully treated, spit on, scourged and then put to death. How wicked the heart of man is! We can understand such treatment for a bad man, but the Lord Jesus only “went about doing good, and healing all” (Acts 10:38).
The blind beggar had better spiritual sight than the multitude. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He cried out, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Who told the blind man that Jesus is the Son of David? Surely he had faith, and so the Lord said, “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
1. When the Son of Man comes, what will He be looking for on the earth? __________ Luke 18:___
2. The publican stood afar off and would not lift up his eyes to heaven. After he smote upon his breast, what did he say? __________ Luke 18:___
3. A certain ruler was very rich, but he still lacked one thing. What did Jesus tell him to do with his possessions? __________ Luke 18:___
4. The Lord Jesus told the 12 disciples that the Gentiles would mock Him, scourge Him, and put Him to death. Then what would He do after three days? __________ Luke 18:___
5. The multitude told the blind man that Jesus of Nazareth passed by. How did the blind man cry out? __________ Luke 18:___