What Jesus Did

When Jesus saw [that the rich man was sad when told he should surrender his wealth to help the poor, Jesus] said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 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!"

—Luke 18:24-25 NLT

Key Thought​

While material riches can be a great blessing and can be used to bless many in need and to do great things for the Kingdom, riches may also be a trap for us...

 

[Jesus continued,] "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!"
Those who heard this said, "Then who in the world can be saved?"

He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God."

—Luke 18:25-27 NLT

Key Thought​

Many things are hard for us. Other things seem impossible. Jesus wants us to realize that when we live for the Kingdom — if we trust in God's power to be at work within us —...

 

[After Jesus' reply to the religious leader's question about what to do to inherit eternal life, the] man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."
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."

But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

—Luke 18:21-23 NLT

Key Thought​

For...

 

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good."

—Luke 18:18-19 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus was challenging the religious leader to wake up and understand the truth that stood right in front of him. If he was calling Jesus "good," then he must come to understand that Jesus is God and not play religious games but truly come to believe. Jesus wasn't...

 

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" ...
[Jesus said,] "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.'"

The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."

—Luke 18:18, 20-21 NLT

Key Thought​

While most of us can say we have never been guilty...

 

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"

—Luke 18:18 NLT

Key Thought​

Can you think of a more important question than this? I can think of several that are equally important, but they all ultimately come down to the same basic issue: Am I living for God with all that I am, have, and do? Jesus' description of the final judgment [1] reminds each of us of the importance of using who we are and what God has given...

 

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised [1] tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not like other people — cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

"But the tax collector stood at a...

 

Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?"

—Luke 18:6-8 NLT

Key Thought​

One of the hardest things we face as human beings is injustice, especially...

 

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: ...

—Luke 18:9 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus' most scathing rebukes were reserved for those who were outwardly very religious but who were arrogant and self-righteous and felt superior to everyone else. Once again, Jesus illustrated his point with a story (in the following verses) not only so his disciples would know the truth of his message but also so they could...

 

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is...