31 October

Bible in 365 Days

Luke 17-18

Luke 17

The thinking of the Master for His disciples is always that they should live in love. He knew, however, that offenses must come. In that connection He uttered the solemn word of warning, "Woe unto him through whom - they come." He then gave instructions on our attitude toward the offender.

There follows the story of the lepers. Ten men with a common need lifted a cry of agony in petition to the Son of God. Ten men were directed by Him to do what appeared absurd. The law required to show themselves to the priest when they were cleansed. These men were still lepers. Nevertheless, ten men trusted Him, and started on the journey. Ten men were miraculously healed through obedience, and then one man turned back to glorify God. Because of this, the question of Jesus, "Where are the nine?" becomes arresting and revealing, showing, as it does, that He waits for the worship of healed sods, and often is robbed of it.

The Pharisees asked Him when the Kingdom of God would appear, while it was right in their midst because the King Himself was there. This the Lord declared: "The Kingdom of God is in the midst of you." Turning to His disciples, He spoke of the day that lay far ahead in which He would no longer be unrecognized, but revealed in His glory to a faithless and unbelieving age.

Luke 18

Two parables on prayer are here given. The first insists on its necessity as an alternative to fainting. The second reveals the secrets of prevailing prayer, namely, humility and a deep sense of need. The comparison of the two prayers offered in the Temple precincts will show in the case of the Pharisee a sense of self which almost excluded the consciousness of God, while in the case of the publican the supreme sense was of God. The fist was rejected. The other was justified.

It is significant that the three evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, show that the incidents of the blessing of the children and the rich young ruler were united. Of the children our Lord declared, "Of such is the Kingdom of God." The character that proves citizenship is the character of childhood.

In dealing with the young ruler the truth was emphasized that only through the strait door of absolute renunciation of self is it possible for men to regain the child attitude toward life.

What follows reveals that this renunciation demands the way of the Cross. For a while these disciples shunned the shame and the pain of it. Ultimately, however, every man of them, save Judas, went into the realm of death with Jesus. The incident of the blind beggar reveals that fellowship in that Cross always results in compassion and willingness to help those in trouble.