Luke 18 explained: Persistence, Humility and Open Hands

The widow and the judge (vv. 1-8)

A widow had little power, and this judge cared for neither God nor people, yet her refusal to give up wore him down. Jesus reasons that a just God will surely answer people who keep crying out to him, then asks whether such trust will still be found when the Son of Man comes.

Two prayers at the temple (vv. 9-14)

Pharisees were respected for strict religious practice, while tax collectors worked for Rome and were widely seen as cheats and traitors. The religious man lists his good deeds and compares himself favourably, but the tax collector simply begs for mercy, and Jesus says he is the one who goes home right with God.

Jesus welcomes babies (vv. 15-17)

Parents brought infants for Jesus to touch and bless, and the disciples tried to stop them. Jesus says God's kingdom belongs to people like these, probably meaning those who receive it as a gift rather than trying to earn it.

A rich ruler's question (vv. 18-30)

The man said he had kept the commandments, but when Jesus told him to sell everything, give to the poor and follow him, he became very sad, because he was very rich. A camel through a needle's eye is a picture of the impossible; Jesus says what people cannot do, God can, and promises that those who give things up for God's kingdom will not lose out.

Heading to Jerusalem (vv. 31-34)

Jesus plainly tells the Twelve he will be handed over to the Romans, mocked, beaten and killed, and will rise on the third day. They could not take it in, perhaps because it clashed with what they expected of the Messiah, God's promised king.

A blind beggar near Jericho (vv. 35-43)

By calling Jesus Son of David, the beggar named him as the promised king from David's royal family, and he kept shouting when the crowd tried to hush him. Jesus stopped, asked what he wanted and healed him, and the man followed him, praising God.

Key verse: Luke 18:14

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether Jesus' call to sell everything is meant for all his followers or was a call aimed at this one man.

Something to think about

Is it easier for you to ask for help or to feel you have earned your place, and where do you think that comes from?