Luke 18

1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, Sbut this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” 5Then the LORD said, 6Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 81 tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man* returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” Jesus Tells the Parable of Two Men Who Prayed (172) 9Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. ‘The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer*: ‘I thank you, God, that I am nota sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 121 fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for lama sinner.’ 14I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus Blesses the Children (174/Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16) 1SOne day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Man (175/Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31) 18Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 19"Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’*”

21The man replied, “I've carefully obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”18:8 “Son of Man’ is a title Jesus used for himself. 18:11 Some manuscripts read stood and prayed this prayerto himself. 18:20 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20.of all Gad’s people, and both Old Testament prophets andNew Testament apostles insisted that these needy people beproperly cared for. See, for example, Exodus 22:22-24: Isaiah1:17; 1 Timothy 5:3; James 1:27.18:6, 7 If godless judges respond to constant pressure,how much more will a great and loving God respond to us?If we know he loves us, we can believe he will hear our criesfor help.18:10 The peaple who lived near Jerusalem often would goto the Temple to pray. The Temple was the center of theirworship.18:11-14 I The Pharisee did not go to the Temple to pray toGod but to announce to all within earshot how good he was.The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging formercy. Seif-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride,Causes a person to despise others, and prevents him or herfrom learning anything trom God. The tax coilector’s prayershould be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy everyday. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God.18:15, 16 It was customary for a mother to bring her childrento a rabbi for a blessing, and that is why these mothers gath-ered around Jesus. The disciples, however, thought the chil-dren were unworthy of the Master’s time—jess important thanwhatever else he was doing. But Jesus welcomed them becauselittle children have the kind of faith and trust needed to enterGod’s Kingdom. It is important that we introduce our childrento Jesus.

22When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “ There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. 24When Jesus saw this,* he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” 28Peter said, “We've left our homes to follow you.” 29" Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” Jesus Predicts His Death the Third Time (177/Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34) 31Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we're going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32He will be handed over to the Romans,* and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” 34But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar (179/Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52) 35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37They told him that Jesus the Nazarene* was going by. 38So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41“ What do you want me to do for you?” “LORD,” he said, “I want to see!” 42And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. Jesus Brings Salvation to Zacchaeus’s Home (180)