Luke Part 3 Week 5

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 18:15 

¹⁵ One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 

In the debates that arise about whether sprinkling babies or immersing adults, those who believe in sprinkling like to use this passage. Jesus “touched and blessed” their babies (brephē). This Greek word was even used in the first century to refer to a nursing child, but nothing is said about any application of water. If one goes by the Bible and the Bible alone there is no mention of sprinkling infants. But even the little children being brought to Jesus upset the disciples. 

REFLECT 

One of the most important decisions you will need to make is whether to go by the Bible alone or by what culture and a denomination has taught you.  

RESPOND 

Some even teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They like to quote Acts 2:38 in this regard that says baptism is “for” the forgiveness of sins. The Greek word translated “for” in this passage (eis) is the same that is used in Matthew 12:41 that says people repented “at” (eis) the preaching of Jonah. Better to understand in both cases the word means “with a view to” or “because of.” 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 18:16-17 

¹⁶ Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. ¹⁷ I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 

Jesus wanted the children (paidia) to come to Him. This Greek word was used for a child from birth onwards. This should be a great comfort to every parent to know that Jesus loves children. Anyone who wants to be a part of the kingdom of God must come like a child to be able to enter it.  

REFLECT 

So many children in this world grow up in bad circumstances, but Jesus loves each one.  

RESPOND 

There can be no greater joy for a parent than telling a child about Jesus and having that child believe in Jesus for salvation. Then such a child needs a model to live by, and hopefully parents fulfill that role. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 18:18-20 

¹⁸ Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. ²⁰ But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” 

Notice the religious leader thought he had to do some good works to be qualified to enter heaven. Jesus reminded the religious leader of some of the Mosaic laws, which he surely knew. If he kept those serious commands, would he be right with God and qualified to enter heaven? Many today would answer yes to this question. 

REFLECT 

How would you answer the question? Would you be right with God if you kept these commandments about which Jesus reminded the religious leader? 

RESPOND 

In his unsaved state, the apostle Paul was a Pharisee and sought to keep all the Mosaic Law. Yet, notice what he wrote about the law in Romans 3:19-20. Talk about this with a friend. Good works are not a means of salvation; they should follow as the result of salvation because of gratitude for all Jesus has done for the believer.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 18:21-22 

²¹ The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” ²² When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

The religious man must have been proud to answer that he had kept all the laws Jesus mentioned to him. Then Jesus gave him another command: “Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This would be a test of whether this religious leader also obeyed the command not to covet what others had (see Exodus 20:17). Had he truly loved his neighbor as himself this would not have been a problem.  

REFLECT 

What would you have done if Jesus told you to do what He told the religious leader? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Romans 13:8-9. This was written during the time of the Law when people were instructed to do this. Religious leaders of that time would have known about loving one’s neighbor as he loves himself. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 18:23-25 

²³ But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. ²⁴ When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! ²⁵ In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 

Verse 25 is used by some to think it is referring to a small gate that camels had to kneel down to get through. However, the Greek word for “needle” is belonēs that referred to a sewing needle and not to a small city gate. Jesus was talking about the impossibility of a rich man trusting in his riches being able to enter the kingdom of God.  

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who are trusting in their earthly means to make them right with God instead of trusting in the Lord Jesus for salvation? 

RESPOND 

There are those who are covetous about gaining as much as they can, thinking it will give them security for the future and for eternity. With a friend read what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24.