Bible Study Luke 18: A Childlike Heart and a Persistent Cry (Part 2)

 Welcome to Part Two of today’s Bible study of Luke Chapter 18.

1. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child? Vs. 17. It means to possess innocence, to not question the ways and the works of God. It is to receive the Good News of Jesus Christ with joy and embrace the knowledge of Christ wholeheartedly. Thus, this is why Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to little children, vs. 16.

2. It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, Jesus declares in vs. 24, because of their attachments to worldly wealth. Jesus’s encounter with the rich man calls for reflection. It requires us to ask ourselves this question: “What are we holding onto that could prevent us from entering God’s kingdom?” Anything we hold onto dearly and are unwilling to let go of can prevent us from seeing Jesus. This is because that thing becomes like a god and now takes our full concentration and devotion. Hence, we must be careful to not allow worldly things to take our gaze from Jesus, and we must be willing to let go of anything that can prevent us from entering God’s kingdom.

3. What is impossible with man is possible with God, vs. 27. Jesus here educates us that in the realm of possibilities, there are no limitations to God. God is all-powerful, and God is possibility itself. With man, there are limitations, but with God, there are absolutely none.

4. Jesus assures us that letting go or giving up attachments (wealth, status, properties) or relations (relationships, friendships, or associations) that can prevent us from entering God’s kingdom is not a loss but a gain. He declares in vs. 30 that there is a reward that is many times worth more than what we have given up, which awaits us in this lifetime and in the lifetime to come. Therefore, whatever we think we have lost by letting go is not compared to what God has in store for us.

5. Don’t stop calling on God. Do not stop calling the name of Jesus, vs. 39. Something about the blind man is notable, and it is the fact that he knew what he wanted from Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” vs. 41, and he knew what he wanted. He did not hesitate to reply, “Lord, I want to see,” vs. 41. This is a cause for reflection. Do you know the things you want God to do for you? If Jesus were to come to you today, do you know what you would ask of the Lord? The blind man teaches us a masterclass on knowing our weaknesses, challenges, and being ready to ask for help concerning them. The Scripture records that Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” The blind man immediately received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.

Prayer Points

a. Father, please help me to let go of attachments and relations that can prevent me from entering Your kingdom.

b. Dear Jesus, help me to develop childlike honesty and innocence in order to receive the kingdom of God.

c. Help me to receive the Good News of Jesus without questioning it.

d. Dear Jesus, empower me with the grace to never get tired of calling on You.

e. Dear Jesus, help me to recognise my weaknesses and to know what I really seek from You. Help me that I may know what to ask from You when You come.