Author: Bill Hall

And, hearing the crowd passing through, he asked, ‘Who is this?’

Luke 18:36

Having been blind for some time, this man would recognize the sound of a crowd walking by. Of course a large crowd would have some person of note within it, or would be a particular group headed somewhere for some important event.

Heavenly Father, we so easily forget how blessed we are in America! But You care for and watch over Your people all over this globe. Only by Your power does any of us live from day to day. And, without Your Blessed Hope, this world would immediately pour itself into the abyss. Thank You for Your goodness! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

It happened as He was in the approach into Jericho, someone blind was sitting beside the way begging.

Luke 18:35

The beautiful serendipity of the life God has planned for each of us is at once surprising and delightful. But, the ‘happenstances’ are all in His glorious plan. Yes, it just so happened that this blind person was there that day. But Jesus knew, as He had known thousands, and millions, of our years before.

One of the important things to understand about our God is that He doesn’t just know everything that will happen. He knows everything that could have, should have, would have, and might have happened. Every possible variable is completely in view for Him. Included in His omniscience is prescient knowledge of everything.

Heavenly Father, You are glorious! As humans, we like our heroes to be like us, very limited. But when we begin to understand Your limitless nature, we see that all heroes are but a poor reflection of Your goodness and steadfast love. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not understand what was said.

Luke 18:34

There are two reasons for this. First, the disciples had the common human malady of not paying attention to things that they do not feel completely certain about. We tend to operate on the basis of what we know vs what ‘might be’ so in our thinking.

Second, the Lord withheld the exact meaning. He wanted them to know something was coming, and that was a mercy. But He also kept them from knowing exactly what it was, and that was in accordance with His will.

Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing us so well! You alone can handle us properly. You know what we truly need and are the only hope we have. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

‘and whipped, killing Him. And the third day, He will rise up.’

Luke 18:33

One of my favorite things to point out is the fact that Jesus had no doubts about what would happen. He knew from eternity past that He would rise again after the death He must endure. Death was simply a step along the way, an enemy to be subdued. It was not even remotely final for the Darling Son of the Father.

Heavenly Father, You are so amazing! Christ is awesome! The plan of redemption is so beautiful. Thank You for the power of truth and love. We will praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

He will be be delivered by betrayal to the nations, and will be ridiculed, and insulted, and spit upon,

Luke 18:32

Jesus is very specific, and everything He says here would shortly take place. A normal human being in His position would not be able to know exactly what might happen. The mock trial and crucifixion He was about to ensure was more impromptu from man’s perspective. To be sure the Jewish leaders had it in for Him. But they themselves could not have been this specific as to what would actually happen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the sufficiency of Christ! We are so flawed and proud, but You have made a way for us to be forgiven. And when we think we are worthless You remind us that it was for us that Jesus died. How amazing! We will praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then, taking the twelve aside, He said to them, ‘Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything will be finished that was written by the prophets about the Son of Man.’

Luke 18:31

This is a foretaste of the completion that Jesus would Himself announce on the cross not long after. He was headed to do the work laid before Him and He knew it would be finished. There was no question in His mind as to what He was about to do. He would fulfill what He had directed the prophets to write about Him so many years before.

Heavenly Father, thank You! Christ is the richest gift ever to be given, or that ever could be given. We are in awe of Your plan for our redemption. Nothing could make us worthy of it, though by it wea are given worth in Your grace. We will praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

‘who shall not recover many times more in this season, and in the age to come, life eternal.’

Luke 18:30

The joy of fellowship with our Christian family is excellent. For some their physical family is also their spiritual family. But even when this fails, the family of Christ at large fills the void. We have at any time a host of brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.

Beyond these riches, we look to eternal life. That which is to come will be wonderful, excelling above all of our fondest imagination.

Heavenly Father, we see this all as so grand. And yet it is no trouble for You. Your power is so much greater than we can ever comprehend. Thank You for Your gracious goodness and love! You are holy, pure, perfect, and so very awesome! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

So He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, that there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, on account of the kingdom of God,’

Luke 18:29

Though it is not always the case, the vast majority of Christians must leave a home, family tie, or a close friend, due to their relationship with Christ. It is not something to be done flippantly or lightly, but resolutely when the need arises. We must not hold our earthy bonds in place of that heavenly joy.

The scope of this verse is not limited to full-time Christian ministers either. A true relationship with Christ will often require a break with others, even if the demands of time or place of service to the Lord are not a factor in the situation at hand. We should always be ready to release ourselves from this life in the interest of the kingdom.

Do not misunderstand however. Jesus also teaches through the New Testament writers that we are responsible to care for our family. The Lord does not release us to live free from familial responsibility. What He does do is take first place in all things.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the life that You give us. It is a life of care and concern for others, whether in our family or otherwise. But You are above all, and our interest in Your will for us is paramount. It may call us far from home, family, and friends whether physically or in other ways. But all of this is worth it because we love You so much. You are so worthy of our devotion. Thank You for this wonderful life! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then Peter said, ‘Look, we left everything and followed you.’

Luke 18:29

This is one of those questions that we expect Jesus to rebuke Peter for. We expect Him to say that he should not worry about it and just to trust Him. But that is not our God. That is not how He deals with us. He gives us an answer. He understands the question as it was meant.

Peter was impetuous. Yes, he was. He put his foot in his mouth a lot. But this was not one of those times. He was indeed growing in his understanding of what Christ does in our hearts and lives. Surely this question and this conversation came to his mind later when he spoke to thousands on the day of Pentecost.

Heavenly Father, thank You for understanding us the way that we mean things. Sometimes we are so inept in the way we express ourselves. But You understand us better than we do ourselves. You can see into our very hearts. And You always do exactly the right thing. You always give us the answer that we need. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But He said, ‘The impossible with men is possible with God.’

Luke 18:27

With God, anything is possible. He has no limits. He has no hold-ups. He can do whatever He wills. There are many ‘hard’ things we will face. But He can work through it all.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the miracle of salvation! We cannot make assumptions. None of us deserves Your love. We are all just incredibly blessed to be alive. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.