ST LUKE
CHAPTER 18
Jesus gives the parables of the unjust judge, and of the Pharisee and publican—He invites little children to come unto him and teaches how to gain eternal life—He tells of his coming death and resurrection, and gives sight to a blind man.
1 AND he spake a parable unto them to
this end, that men ought always to pray,
and not to faint; [ According
to Luke 18:1, why did Jesus give the parable of the unjust judge and
the widow? What
does this meanto always pray? Joseph Smith once
said "Weary
[the Lord] until he blesses you" Madsen Joseph Smith The Prophet pg 16; Is
the message to continually ask for the same thing? When is enough; enough? The
Lord said in D&C 59:22; 130:15 "Trouble me no more concerning this
matter"
]
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge,
[ What do we know about
judges? 1)
They are supposed to be good men, 2) They command power and usually are
wealthy 3) They are supposed to meat out justice without merit to station
- to be the same reguardless of whether the person is poor or rich, powerful
of weak Duet 1:16-17] which feared
not God, [Because he feared not God, he paid no
attention to the calls of justice;] neither regarded
man: [ because he respected
not man, he was unmoved at the complaint of the widow.]
3 And there was a widow in that city;
[ What do we know about
a widow? 1)
Usually they are grouped with the poor and the orphans, ] and she came
unto him, saying, Avenge
me of mine adversary. [ The original, "ekdikhson
me apo tou antidikou mou", could be better translated as, "Do me justice
against, or vindicate me from, my adversary." What would her adversity
be? ]
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he
said within himself, [argueing with himself; justifing
it to himself?.] Though
I fear not God, nor regard man; [ How many actions
which appear good have neither the love of God, nor that of our neighbour,
but only self-love of the basest kind, for their principle and motive!
]
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I
will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. [Just as
a fighter continues to deliver blows to his opponent to beat him down
until he eventually submits.]
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge
saith. [ Intimating that we should reason this
for ourselves - If a judge that has no regard for God or for man; no
desire to really do the right thing because it is the right thing; eventually
does the right thing and vindicates the widow. Then how much more will
a just Lord vindicate his elect that plead with him? ]
7 And shall not God avenge his
own elect, [ you can apply your own logic; but
if the unjust judge will do what is right; then how quickly will the
Lord who is just, deliver justice for his chosen. James E. Talmage taught,
“Jesus did not indicate that as the wicked judge finally yielded to supplication
so would God do; but He pointed out that if even such a being as this
judge, who ‘feared not God, neither regarded man,’ would at last hear
and grant the widow’s plea, no one should doubt that God, the Just and Merciful,
will hear and answer” (Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 436).] which
cry day and night unto him, [ How often are his
elect praying here? What does it mean to pray always? ] though
he bear long with them? [Or
HE is compassionate towards THEM, and consequently not at all like to
the unrighteous judge. How is persevering in prayer an act of faith?
What should we do when we have persevered in prayer and feel that we
have not received an answer?
Elder Richard G. Scott said: “It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately. some prayers require considerable effort on our part. …
“When we explain a problem and a proposed solution [to our Heavenly Father], sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 38; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 30–31). What have you learned as you have persevered in prayer? ]
Elder Richard G. Scott said: “It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately. some prayers require considerable effort on our part. …
“When we explain a problem and a proposed solution [to our Heavenly Father], sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 38; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 30–31). What have you learned as you have persevered in prayer? ]
8 I tell
you that he will avenge them
speedily. Nevertheless when the son
of man [title for Christ - The "son of God" and
the "son of Man" are synonymous. Elder ] cometh, shall
he find faith on the earth? [Elder Bruce R McConkie
taught that this parable goes far beyond the simple persistence of prayer;
but requires that we exercise faith in asking for that which is according
to Gods will as well. "Jesus now teaches, in a parable, how the perservering
prayers of the saints will finally prevail in the day of his coming.
He is not here speaking of the simplistic principle that earnest and
repetious imoportunings will eventuall be heard and answered, though
this may be true in some cases.It is not a matter of an importunate widow
gaining redress from an unjust judge because of her insistent pleadings,
and that therefore those who pray to him who is just will have their
petitions granted if they earnestly and everlastingly importune at the
throne of grace. Prayers are answered when there is faith; faith is found
on truth and can only be exercised in harmony with the plan of heaven.
Only those petitions which are just and right are granted.Rather this
parable, as we shall see, teaches that is the saints will continue to
importune in faith, for that that which is right, and because their cause
is just, though the answers to their prayers may be long delayed, yet,
finially in the days of vengeance when he judges whose judgement is just,
when he comes again to rule and rein, the faithful shal be rewarded"
Mortal Messiah 3 :287]
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
31 ¶ Then he took unto him the twelve, and
said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by
the prophets concerning the son
of man [title for Christ - The "son of God" and
the "son of Man" are synonymous... In the pure Adamic language, the
name Elohim, the Father, is "Man of Holiness" (signifying that God
is a Holy Man), and the name of Christ, the son, is short for "son of
Man of Holiness"
(Mormon Doctine p671; Moses 6:57] shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
35 ¶ And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh
unto Jericho, a
certain blind man [ Bartimeus, the son of Timaeus
see Mark 10:46 ] sat
by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it
meant. [ What dpes the
blind man do to show he has faith? 1) He puts
himself in the right position; aligns himself with Christ and his path.
2) Calls upon the Master for help 3) Addresses him as the Savior; demonstrates
that he believes that he is the son Of God the chosen Messiah. 4) Asks
for a specific blessing 5) He is healed 6) Acknowledged and gave thanks
to God for the blessing of sight]
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son
of David, [ What
is the signifigance of calling Jesus - Thou son of David? It
was the general opinion in Judea at the time of this statement, that
the Messiah should be son of David. (John vii. 42.) And that Jesus Christ
was generally and incontestably acknowledged as coming from this stock.
chap. xii. 23. So the plea would have been one that acknowledged Jesus
as the Messiah.] have
mercy on me. [
An acknowledgment that the only thing they were worthy
to ask for the Savior was for his mercy - pretty humble plea. If you
envision this scene it would have not been quite; anytime you have a
group of people walking and talking it can get rather noisy; and yet
the Savior hears this one particular voice from all the commotion. Why?
Because it was a voice of faith. It may not have been so much what was
said but the faith with which it was said that touched the Savior.]
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should
hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son
of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
43 And immediately [he
did not wait until he prayed that night he did it immediately.] he received
his sight, and followed him, glorifying God:
[ he gave thanks. Are we like the blind man -
do we give thanks immediately when we receive a blessing from God? or
do we wait; sometimes so long that we can forget to even give thanks ] and
all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto
God.