Luke 18 Summary - 5 Minute Study

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LUKE 18 IN 5 MINUTES

WHEN:

• The events of chapter 18 were part of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

• These events took place between approximately 26-31 A.D..

CHARACTERS:

• Jesus - The Son of God.

• Unjust Judge - A character in one of Jesus’ parables designed to teach the people about prayer.

• Pharisee and Tax Collector - Characters used by Jesus to teach about self-righteousness.

• Rich Young Ruler - A rich man who approached Jesus to ask, “...what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

• Blind Beggar - A man healed of blindness by Jesus outside the city of Jericho.

WHERE:

• Jesus was travelling to Jerusalem. In chapter 17, He passed between Samaria and Galilee (17:11-12).

• Jesus met a blind beggar outside the city of Jericho (18:35).

OUTLINE:

• THE PARABLE OF THE WIDOW AND THE JUDGE (18:1-8):

  • Jesus told His disciples a parable to teach them to pray and not lose heart.

  • A persistent widow continually asked an ungodly judge to give her justice.

  • Eventually, he granted the woman’s request because he was annoyed with her persistence.

  • If an unjust judge can be compelled to grant a request, how much more willing must a loving God be to answer the prayers of those He loves?

• THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR (18:9-14):

  • This parable was directed at those who were self-righteous.

  • A Pharisee was in the Temple praying about how he wasn’t as sinful as other men.

  • A tax collector was in the Temple asking God to forgive him for his sins.

  • Of the two men, Jesus said the tax collector was the one who was “justified.”

• JESUS WELCOMES LITTLE CHILDREN AND BLESSES THEM (18:15-17):

• THE RICH YOUNG RULER (18:18-30):

  • A rich man came to Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

  • Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give them to the poor.

  • The rich man wasn’t willing to obey Jesus’ instruction because he loved his riches.

  • Jesus warned the people about the dangerous impact riches could have on the soul.

• JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH (18:31-34):

  • Jesus informed His 12 Apostles about His upcoming arrest and murder.

  • The Apostles couldn’t comprehend the idea that the Messiah would be killed.

• THE HEALING OF A BLIND BEGGAR (18:35-43):

  • As Jesus was near Jericho, a blind beggar started yelling for Him to come and heal him.

  • The crowd tried to stop the man from yelling but he was determined to get Jesus’ attention.

  • Jesus noticed the man and “commanded him to be brought to Him.”

  • Jesus healed the man, saying, “Recover your sight; you faith has made you well.”

BIG PICTURE:

• In chapter 18, Jesus was nearing the end of His life on earth.

• He already knew the fate (crucifixion) that awaited Him in Jerusalem.

• Rather than run away from the cross, Jesus was determined to complete God’s plan and sacrifice Himself for sin.

APPLICATION:

• There are things that are more important than preserving our lives.

• Accomplishing God’s redeeming plan was more important to Jesus than protecting Himself from harm.

• He lived that way because He knew there was a resurrection on the other side of His pain.

• Being a part of God’s eternal work should be more important to us than protecting ourselves from harm.

• We can live that way because we are confident there is a resurrection on the other side of our pain.