Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 5, 2024
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 18. This chapter continues our study in what a disciple looks like. Jesus builds on the themes of faith and gratitude, with persistence, humility, and surrender. These themes are difficult for the apostles to grasp, in a way they are blind to them. Luke answers this inability to see with a final story of the blind beggar. The beggar cries out to God, modeling the very themes the apostles struggle to see.
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In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, Jesus vividly describes what it truly means to be a disciple. Through parables, He defines the characteristics and expectations of discipleship: persistence, humility, and surrender.
Defining Discipleship: Jesus begins by describing the essence of discipleship. A disciple persists in prayer, humbles oneself before God, and surrenders everything for the sake of the Kingdom. Without this clear definition, we risk misconstruing the meaning of discipleship and crafting our own flawed interpretations.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8): In this parable, Jesus contrasts the persistent widow with the indifferent judge. The widow's relentless pursuit of justice illustrates the virtue of persistence in prayer. Likewise, as disciples, we are called to seek God persistently.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14): Through the contrasting prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus teaches the importance of humility in discipleship. God responds to humility with grace, rejecting the prideful. As disciples, we are called to approach God humbly, acknowledging our need for His mercy.
Childlike Faith (Luke 18:15-17): Jesus urges us to emulate the faith of children, characterized by persistence and dependence. As disciples, we should approach God with the tenacity of a child, trusting Him completely. Furthermore, we are called to treasure and care for children, reflecting God's heart for His children.
Surrendering to Follow Christ (Luke 18:18-30): The encounter with the rich young ruler reveals the third aspect of discipleship: surrender. The rich man's unwillingness to relinquish his possessions highlights the challenge of choosing relationships over riches. Discipleship requires surrendering whatever hinders our relationship with Christ and trusting in His provision and blessing.
The Blind Beggar (Luke 18:31-43): Finally, Jesus encounters a blind beggar who cries out for mercy. The beggar's desperation mirrors the spiritual blindness of the disciples. Yet, through his persistence and humility, he receives sight and follows Jesus. Likewise, as disciples, we are called to cry out to God in our blindness, trusting in His transformative power.
Conclusion: As we reflect on Luke 18, we are reminded that discipleship is a journey of faith, gratitude, persistence, humility, and surrender. Like the disciples who struggled to understand, we may find ourselves spiritually blind at times. However, the prescription for sight remains the same: persistent prayer, humble surrender, and a childlike faith. Let us humble ourselves and cry out to God, trusting His promise to transform us into true disciples.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does the definition of discipleship in Luke 18 challenge your previous understanding?
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with persistence in prayer?
3. How does the Pharisee's attitude towards himself compare to the tax collector's attitude?
4. How can we cultivate a spirit of humility in our daily lives and our relationship with God and others?
5. What possessions or desires hinder your surrender to follow Christ wholeheartedly?
6. How can you develop a childlike faith in your daily walk with God?
7. Take a moment to cry out to God, expressing any areas of spiritual blindness or need for His mercy.