“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 18:15-30:

In our previous lesson, we were introduced to a couple of parables designed to assist the disciples of the Lord to pray continuously and not lose heart (18:1). In the first parable, the Lord used an antithesis (contrasting ideas to give emphasis and balance).

•  Petitioned: Unjust Judge – Just God.

•  Petitioner: Helpless Widow – Beloved Disciples.

•  Petition: Frequent Visits of One – Continual Cries of Many.

In the second parable the Lord would contrast the difference between those who would not lose heart and those by their self righteous attitude would find themselves left out of the coming kingdom (17:31-37).

As we continue in this chapter, we now find children being brought to the Lord and an opportunity for the Lord to emphasize the message from the previous parable.

Text #1:

Luke 18:15-17 “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.”

See also: Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.

It was customary at this time to bring children to the rulers of the synagogue in order for them to pray for the child. It is little wonder that they brought the children to the Lord!

Apparently the disciples thought they would protect the Lord from what they must have perceived was an annoyance. In Mark's account, the Lord was greatly displeased by their actions (Mark 10:14). In many places now, we have seen the Lord speak concerning the nature of children and that their innocence was something to be mimicked. Likewise, the Lord would at this point state that only by becoming like a little child or by becoming humble and innocent and learning to rely on the Father would they enter the kingdom of God .

This was the last thought of the previous parable, note:

Luke 18:14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - see also: Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11.

Text #2:

Luke 18:18 “Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

See also: Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:17-22.

Opening Thoughts:

• The Lord is now going to counsel concerning the peril of riches and the reward of sacrifice.
• In Mark's account, the man who approached was anxious to meet the Lord; as he came running and then knelt before Him to ask this question.
• As a point of observation; asking the Lord what he should “do” to inherit eternal life, may point to the fact that he believed salvation could be gained by some meritorious act (In Matthew's account, he states “What good thing shall I do?” – Matthew 19:16). An attitude of salvation as a reward for doing, more than for being!
• A final observation, none of the disciples tried to stop this man from approaching the Lord?

Text #3:

Luke 18:19-23 “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 things 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.”

See also: Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20.

One Good: Jesus, as He has done throughout His ministry, takes no credit for what He teaches. He has said over and over again that He only instructs as He has received from the Father (John 5:24; 6:38; 7:28-29; 8:14-18; 28-29; 10:28-30; 12:49).

A second point that Jesus is making, is that God has already spoken concerning what this man should do. This is why the Lord is going to emphasize the commandments, as He has done elsewhere; note:

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

The Lord taught the Jews that sought to persecute Him, that they did not recognize the witness of God, John the Baptist, or the signs and wonders He performed. In addition, He recognized that many knew the Old Testament scriptures, but denied the fact that they testified of Him and the true pursuit of eternal life. This is going to be the message of the Lord to this ruler!

Response: The Lord reminded the ruler of the commandments of the Law; and even stated some as example. Note that repentance to God at this time was according to the Law of Moses.

The ruler stated with confidence that he had done all these things since his youth. As was the case in most at this time, they held the strictness of the Law in the observance of the ritual; however, had lost the heart of the Law (see: Matthew 23:23 – justice, mercy, and faith).

Jesus said to Him: As the Lord now counsels the ruler concerning the fact that He is lacking, the Lord is going to give a direct answer to a direct response. The Lord will give him the universal test He has given all who have asked to follow Him or to know salvation; forsake all and follow Him. In addition, the Lord equates following Him as laying up treasures in heaven; something the rich ruler should have seen as more valuable than the riches he had here on earth (see: Matthew 6:19-21).

Another point to the Lord's response to the ruler; He did not modify the Law for the sake of the ruler as he turned away in order to keep him. Something he may have been used to hearing from the Pharisees and scribes.

And as a final point to the Lord's response, In Mark's account; it is stated that the Lord looked at him and loved him, then responded.

This then becomes an illustration of the fact that love often demands chastening in order to stop behavior that is detrimental. The Lord would not have done anything beneficial for this man had He enabled him to continue along the path of destruction.

Text #4:

Luke 18:24-30 “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.”
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 eternal life.”

See also: Matthew 19:23-30; Mark 10:23 -31.

Final Thoughts:

• Luke records that the rich ruler went away sorrowful twice as a statement of emphasis.
• As the Lord watches the ruler walk away dejected, Matthew and Mark's account states that His remarks are given to the disciples (Matthew 19:23; Mark 10:23).
• The statement of difficulty concerning the rich entering into the kingdom of God is not poised as a question but as a statement; and verse 25 is a continuation of the thought.
• The statement in verse 25 is a hyperbole or an extravagant exaggeration; however, even in its humorous presentation, it illustrates a difficult procedure at best.
• The disciples recognized the point of the statement and “were astonished beyond measure” , then stated among themselves “who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26)
• The Lord knowing their thoughts and possibly also recognizing in their question the precept the Jews held that riches were a sign of Divine favor; responds with the notion that with God nothing is impossible. Even saving those who have given everything.
• With this statement of the Lord and the negative choice of the rich ruler; Peter is reminded of a positive choice that He and the other disciples had made.
• The Lord would reinforce that the choice was the correct one; however, He would dispel any notion His disciples may have concerning working for gain instead of love, note:

Matthew 19:29-30 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10:30-31 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Reference verses – John 14:1-3; Hebrews 11:13-16; 12:22 -24; 1 Peter 2:21; 4:12-16.

This Case's Specific Precepts:

• To dispel, in love, the rulers self deception. He had done nobody harm, but he had done no one good either.
• To show impartiality. If he wanted to be a disciple of Jesus, the Lord asked of him only what He has asked of everyone else.
• Finally, to those who think they have done all, they still need to follow after the Lord!

Next: “Son of David!”