“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 18:31-43:

In our previous lesson, the Lord counseled the ruler concerning the necessities of discipleship. He then counseled His own disciples concerning the difficulty the rich would face when trying to serve God in righteousness. In addition, He taught that it is God who elevates individuals who learn humility, true care and concern for those around about them.

In this lesson we will conclude the chapter with the Lord being in Judea , but not yet in Jerusalem . On the road, as He travels in the direction of His coming fate, He will for a third time predict His coming death and resurrection to His chosen.

Text #1:

Luke 18:31-34 “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem , and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.”

See also: Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:3-34.

As mentioned in the introduction, they were in Judea , but had yet to come to Jerusalem . Mark's account states that they had been amazed and fearful as they went. At this point, He takes them aside and delivers a message that was just for them and not for the ears of those who usually followed.

In this message, the disciples knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem ; yet, they didn't understand why this was going to happen or why it was necessary.

John 11:7-8 “Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

John 11:16 “Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

Of the three accounts of the Lord announcing His coming demise, this would be the most informative and clearest version. It will include:

• His delivery and betrayal.
• His condemnation.
• His delivery to the Gentiles.
• The manner of His mocking.
• His scourging.
• His death by crucifixion.
• His resurrection on the third day.

In the final verse of this section, the chosen are confused about the words of the Lord. This was not that they didn't understand that death awaited the Lord if He went to Jerusalem, but that they still did not think that this was a fitting end for their Lord (remember the words of Peter – Matthew 16:22).

In addition, they still believed that the kingdom was going to be a physical entity and could not understand how the Lord's death was going to affect its coming. This is seen in Matthew's account, immediately after Jesus would teach concerning His death and resurrection, the twelve would fight among themselves concerning who would be greatest in the kingdom, note:

Matthew 20:20-28 “Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Text #2:

Luke 18:35-43 “Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho , that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”

See also: Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52.

• Matthew and Mark's account have the Lord coming to Jericho and confronting the blind man as He is departing from Jericho . Jericho is known as the city of palm trees (Deuteronomy 34:3). It is about five miles west of the Jordan River , about seven miles north of the Dead Sea , and about twelve to fifteen miles from Jerusalem on a difficult, winding, and treacherous road.
• Matthew's account has two blind men mentioned; however, in Mark and Luke's account only the prominent one is mentioned in the lesson.
• We find that the name of the blind man, who is the prominent character, is “Bartimaeus” (according to Mark's account). Bar - means ‘son of'; thus his name means son of Timaeus. It is insinuated in the story that they (the blind men) were normally at this location, especially at this time of year; since there would be multitudes of travelers going to Jerusalem .
• After asking what the commotion was about and having been told, He and the other blind man cried out with a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
• The term, “Son of David” was a distinctly Messianic title pointing to Him who would be the One who fulfilled the Davidic promise; the One who would establish the kingdom and bring Israel to freedom (Matthew 1:1; 21:9; Luke 1:32-33).
• The blind men were told by those who went in advance of the Lord, not to bother the Him. This only caused them to speak out louder.
• The Lord was not a respecter of persons (see: Luke 20:21), but more importantly the Lord saw an opportunity presented to Him by the claims of the blind men.
• He has the blind men brought to Him and asks Bartimaeus what he wants from Him. Bartimaeus responds “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight” (Mark 10:51). “Rabboni” is an Aramaic variation of Rabbi, which means teacher. To this blind man, Jesus has come to be known to him as the “Son of David”, the One who would fulfill the Davidic promise (2 Samuel 7:12-17); and a teacher of God. Keep in mind that this recognition comes from one who has never seen the Lord, only heard of His teaching and miracles.
• As the Lord heals the blind man; He makes the statement, “Your faith has made you well”. He is immediately healed and follows the Lord glorifying God. He then becomes a lesson that faith heals by leading to proper actions. In addition, the opportunity that presented itself by the blind men is now manifest; “And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God”.

Next: “Zacchaeus”