Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

In Luke 18:15, folks were bringing children, even infants, to have Jesus lay hands on them. The disciples just couldn’t imagine why that would be important at all. They began to rebuke the people. But Jesus took the situation in hand and explained that He had time for them.

In Luke 18:35-39, a blind beggar began to call out to Jesus. The crowd around him rebuked him and told him to be quiet. They just couldn’t imagine why Jesus would waste any time with that guy. But Jesus took the situation in hand and healed the beggar. Jesus had time for the beggar.

In Luke 18:18, a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked a question. Jesus, of course, had time for the rich young ruler, but what stands out is how nobody rebuked this man. The disciples, the crowds looked at this man as worthy to approach Jesus and ask questions.

How easy it is to look at these externals. How could God have time for little children? How could He have time for beggars? He’s got too much to do with the important people. Interestingly, it was the important one who went away grieved. Jesus had time for him, but he did not have time for Jesus–not really.

The take away for me is when I feel childish and beggarly, when I think I’m not worthy of God’s attention, I can be sure that God does not feel the same way. God has time for me. I can always go to Him and receive comfort and help.

***Question: What are some aspects of Jesus that make you thankful?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is from Luke 17:1-18:43.

One of the reasons I like a continual daily reading program is instead of hopping around, I get some consistency and read each book all in a row. In doing that, I sometimes catch things I otherwise would have missed if I only studied for a lesson or class. That happened today. I hate to do this, but my thoughts today will jump in to Luke 19:1-10 as well.

I saw some interesting contrasts in today’s reading all surrounding who Jesus accepts (for lack of a better term) and who He didn’t.

First, I had never thought about it before, but the reading starts off with a very interesting implied contrast. Perhaps I caught it because I’m reading from the ESV and that is relatively new for me. Luke 17:1 says, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one…” Alright, forget that you know what’s coming next and ask yourself what you expect to hear next. I expect, “But woe to the one who submits to them.” That, however, is not what Jesus says. “Woe to the one through whom they come.” Yes, yes, I know woe comes on those who sin as well. However, be shocked for a moment. Jesus chooses this opportunity to rebuke the tempter, not the sinner. WOW!

I don’t want to be distracted from my main point by getting into a discussion about Luke 17:3-4. We need to learn some lessons there. Let me simply point out for my purposes that if Jesus expects us to forgive the one who submitted to the temptations completely, we can have confidence He’ll do the same for us.

Second, there are the lepers. Clearly, it is amazing that Jesus will allow the unclean to come to Him and seek favors. But He does. However, this story goes a step further. Only one of the ten returned to give thanks and that was a Samaritan. Because of his thanksgiving, this Samaritan was accepted by Jesus. While the others were cleansed, Jesus commented on the faith of this one.

Third, in Luke 18:9-14, it is not the super personally righteous Pharisee who is justified. No, it is the sinful publican. I have to jump ahead here and note we see a parable here, but then we see this actually played out in real life in the next few verses. A ruler of the Jews comes to Jesus in Luke 18:18-23. He is not accepted by Jesus, but not because Jesus rejects him. He is not accepted because he refuses to accept Jesus as His God and submit to His direction. However, we see the contrast with Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Remember what he was? That’s right, a publican or tax collector. Jesus accepted Zacchaeus because Zacchaeus accepted Jesus, surrendering to His will.

Fourth, while the disciples felt that little children were beneath the Master’s dignity and were certain He simply didn’t have time to deal with them, Jesus expresses just the opposite. He wants them to come and He wants us all to know we must become like them if we wish to be in the kingdom. I could be wrong here, but I think the issue of being like little children is the issue of dependence. Little children know they are dependent upon parents and others to care for them. Adults believe they are independent. We need to be like little children turning to the Father, surrendering to Him because we know we can’t make it on our own.

Finally, there is the blind beggar. Jesus did not receive the rich young ruler unto Himself, but He received the blind beggar. He healed the blind beggar despite all the others in the crowd thinking the beggar was a nuisance who should just shut up and quit bugging this awesome teacher.

After we see all of this, we recognize that being accepted into the kingdom of Jesus Christ is not about heritage and lineage. It is not about wealth or poverty. It is not about social standing. In fact, it is not even about whether or not we have sinned. Rather, it is about surrender and dependence. Only those who truly recognize how much they need Jesus and throw themselves on Him for mercy and strength, surrendering completely too His will may receive healing and the kingdom. 

Think about that for a moment. If, like the Pharisee, I’m doing all kinds of righteous actions, but I’m doing them from a motivation of, “Look at how good I am and how righteous I can be on my own,” then I will not be received by Jesus into the kingdom. Because, after all, I am not receiving Jesus into my life. I’m trusting in me. We need to be like children who see their utter dependence, like tax collectors who see their utter failure to live by God’s will, like blind beggars who are so utterly impoverished we do not care what others say but will throw ourselves on Jesus’ mercy. Then we will be lifted up and exalted and salvation will come to our house.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?