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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)
29. Jesus Blesses Little Children (Luke 18:15-17)
LUKE 18:15-17
15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
In this incident Jesus shows us another way to come to him in our prayers, not on account of our merit, but as simple children with trust and joy, keeping in mind that these children did not come to Jesus by themselves, but their mothers carried them, for these little children were not yet able to walk. Therefore the children had no merit in the blessing given to them, but it was only a grace and gift.
The disciples desired that those around Jesus should not be disturbed by the cries of little children. They thought that the infants were unable to understand anything. If the old could hardly grasp the most exalted teachings, then how could the little children do so? The disciples drove away the mothers who brought their little children to Christ, that he might touch and bless them.
But Jesus pierced the proud ignorant hearts of his disciples, and showed them that it was their humility as children, and not their advancement in years or in mind that made them fit for the kingdom of God. Jesus preached to his self-conceited disciples by blessing and embracing the children.
The kingdom of heaven and of God is something great. It is the summary of God’s thoughts. Neither the principles nor the motives of this kingdom can be understood by natural man, except through the enlightening of the Holy Spirit in the forgiveness of our sins, which qualifies us to enter the eternal abode. God does not choose first the great, the strong, and the godly, but whoever he wishes. He prefers the weak children and those who trust in him with tears, for they are prepared to accept his grace. They desire it, and do not hinder the way of God into their hearts, for they are broken and not proud.
Do you stop God from coming to you? This story is not intended to refer to or to support the baptism of little children, but it directs us how to pray and how to come to Christ. It also reminds us that we must teach our children, according to their understanding the meaning of the gospel, and that we must represent this gospel to them by our good example. In this wonderful experience we see that many times the Holy Spirit has touched the hearts of little children, creating in them a deep recognition of God, and a trusting faith in his fatherhood, which sometimes surpassed the faith of adults. Jesus deals here with conditions of entrance into the kingdom of God: to become childlike in faith and trust, in coming to our heavenly Father.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, You are my Father, and you love all men. Please preserve me in your Sonship, and make all men your children, particularly our hard neighbors, and my classmates. Thank you heavenly Father, for you love me. Amen.
30. The Rich Ruler and the Danger of Riches (Luke 18:18-30)
LUKE 18:18-23
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
A ruler came to Jesus to enquire what he should do to gain eternal life. Thank God! This man was deeply rooted in the word of God, believing in eternal life, and knowing that no man lives forever, for the divine life is but a blessing from God. Those who are dead in sin are not living in fact, but are unstable and disturbed within their perishable being, but those who are blessed and established in the gospel are bearing the life of God and his light shines in them.
In his first words, Jesus turned around the question of the teacher and showed how he spoke superficially and not according to the Bible. None is good, except God. This was Jesus’ indirect question to the man, as if asking him: “Since you call me good, do you believe that I am God?” Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and goodness made incarnate. Jesus’ answer to this ruler was an evident proof of his divinity, and oneness with his heavenly Father.
This ruler was not aware that God himself was standing before him in Christ, and knowing more than he did about himself. He was not satisfied with Christ’s confuting questions, so he remained waiting for special revelations leading him into a better way to God.
Jesus did not say to him, “Believe in me”, but “Fulfill the law completely, and then you may know that you are a great sinner. You may also realize that I am your faithful Savior.” In order to clarify these spiritual principles, Jesus the eternal Lawgiver, changed the order of the Ten Commandments, and mentioned first the commandment of purity, to uncover the questioner’s heart that was filled with lust and sins. But he who claimed to fulfill the law did not know that the Ten Commandments condemned him, but asserted that he had kept the whole law from his youth. It was true that he had neither touched a strange woman, nor killed anyone, nor stolen anything, for he was rich, nor lied willfully. But he had always honored his parents. That was why he believed he was good. Yet in spite of this belief, he felt in his innermost being that he lacked something, which was probably the very life and power of God. Jesus told him what he felt: “You lack one thing, which is the most important.” The wise Jesus did not say to him: “You lack the knowledge of your sins”, or “You lack faith in forgiveness of sins” But he immediately showed him that money was the golden chain that bound him. This rich educated man was in need of liberation from this bondage. He had to free himself from mammon to serve God. In his discourse Jesus wanted him to understand the following points: “You love yourself, seeking eternal life for your own self, without caring about the poor, or the love of your Lord. So be careful! For love is eternal life. The more you love, the more you help the poor and the weak. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will become rich in love, through God.
As this rich teacher heard Jesus’ words, he resented tremblingly, and trembled resentfully, for he thought that Jesus would not ask him to surrender his wealth. He wished to have treasure in heaven in addition to his earthly treasure, and hoped to teach the word of God without becoming poor. So he neither followed Jesus, nor put his money in the heavenly bank. Consequently, he lost his earthly treasure when he died, and did not receive everlasting life in the other world, for he loved little, and did not sacrifice. Yet he who loves much truly lives. Some are poor though they are rich, and others rich in spite of their poverty.
LUKE 18:24-27
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Jesus showed his disciples that renunciation of wealth was a condition for entering the kingdom of God, and showed them through the parable of the camel which could not enter through the eye of a needle, that it was impossible for him who has riches devote himself to God and please him. God is love. He spends all that he has and offers his gifts richly. The Eternal One does not live for himself, but serves his creatures. Whoever wants to abide in him, let him love, give as God gives, and serve continually.
Do not forget that you are rich in your gifts of spirit, soul, and body. At what price would you sell your heart, if someone sick came to you asking your heart to be transferred to him? You have more valuable things than millions, which you are unaware of. In other words, do you still own your heart, or do you offer it in fact to Jesus Christ?
When the disciples understood Jesus’ command, they also became afraid like that rich ruler, and said, “Who then can be saved?” They still loved money, and hoped to become, in future, leaders with secure positions of authority in the kingdom of God.
Christ in his mercy testified to them that the power of God could deliver them from the sins and bonds of Satan. No man can gain material life through personal sacrifices, but God in his grace offers it freely. There is none who does good. God did what cannot be done, and made his Son a man, that men might become children of God. The Holy Spirit, who is today God’s life in the believers, creates in us love for the poor and the needy that we may feel bound to sacrifice, and put our money at Jesus Christ’s disposal. So do you submit your wallet completely to your Lord? Which poor man in your area have you helped practically and continuously?
LUKE 18:28-30
28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come everlasting life.”
What did you leave for the sake of following Jesus? Did you follow him to receive an advantage, or riches, and other privileges, or because you were fascinated by his character? Jesus confirms to every faithful follower as he already said to his apostles, who had left their jobs, relatives, and possessions, that they would find at his home brothers, sisters, children, and fullness of blessings, in addition to the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of everlasting life. But listen carefully to this important question: What do you have in mind by following Jesus? Do you want to improve your financial position, and secure your earthly future, or take advantage of any social benefit? If so, then you will be exposed to the risk of losing your share of the kingdom of God, for he is the power of love, and the way of sacrifice and renunciation of wealth. The Lord does not prevail by power and might, but through his Spirit working in you by faith. Following Jesus changes your life radically. It makes you a stranger in this world, but worthy of the kingdom of God. Are you prepared for such radical ideological conversion?
PRAYER: O Lord, please deliver me from worldly thoughts and financial bonds. Fill me with your love that I may walk today in your everlasting life, and sacrifice my money, time, and strength for your sake, who meet me in the poor and needy. Be merciful to me O Lord, and do impossible things in me that I may have affection as you do for the poor.
QUESTION 112: Why does money hinder many from entering the kingdom of God?