Luke 18
Summary
Today's summary is in single sentences for each part of the chapter.
Be persistent and consistent in your prayers.
Be humble or be humbled.
The kingdom of God belongs to those with no social standing.
Eternal life is easier than you think, but the most difficult thing to do.
Jesus has to die.
When someone's eyes are opened, we need to rejoice and praise God.
My take away
As we get closer to the time of Jesus' death, the lessons seems to have more urgency. He teaches to pray and keep praying. So often we think God knows what I need. Jesus says pray anyway. He reminds us to be humble before God and people.
Children had no standing in that culture. They were worth less than a good working donkey or ox. But Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to them. Be humble. The kingdom belongs to the lowly.
Following Jesus isn't hard. It's giving up the stuff that gets in our way that is difficult.
Open your eyes and see.
This Advent exercise is to help us recognize who Jesus is and if following him is a good idea.
It certainly appears that his teachings are pretty good, but some might argue that we need to get what we can when we can. The teaching of Jesus assumes an afterlife and I realize that not everybody believes that.
But is Jesus God?
Is it necessary to acknowledge that?
Is having our eyes opened as easy as asking Jesus to restore our sight?
John <><
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