Luke 18:9
“He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others . . .”
The chief trait of this Pharisee was the idea that he did not need God. A modern equivalent would be the person who, with his imagination and personal experience, has fabricated both a god and a religious system by which he is acceptable to his god. The Pharisees did just that. They picked out certain verses from Scripture to form what they thought God was like, then based upon that, they established behaviors they believed He would accept. The result was a group of self-righteous men who looked down upon others and rejected Christ. In contrast, we find a man who has lived a compromising life. While externally he seems to be the one whom God would reject, he is accepted because he came to God, not on his own terms, but on God’s.
The lesson is very clear. It will be those who humble themselves, confess their sin, and come to God through Christ, who will be accepted by Him.
Don’t be like the Pharisees who rejected Him because they thought they were good enough.
Pastor Jim
Questions for Luke 18
- What is the next parable about?
- In the next parable, who were the two people that Jesus contrasted?
- What is the difference between the two individuals in this parable?
- Who did the disciples rebuke?
- What did Jesus ask the rich young ruler to do?
- What was Peter’s response to these things?
- What was Jesus response to Peter?
- Reflect on what Jesus explained to the twelve disciples.
- What is similar about the attitude of the tax collector in the beginning of the chapter and the blind beggar at the end of the chapter?
- Notice the response of the beggar and the people in verse 43 after the beggar received his sight. Take a moment to praise God and glorify Him for all that He has done in your life.
Old Testament:
Numbers 5- Marriage Problems
Numbers 6- Blessing
Jim Gallagher 