Contents: Parable of the unjust judge. Parable of Pharisee and publican. Little children blessed. Rich young ruler. Death and resurrection foretold. Blind man healed near Jericho.

Characters: God, Jesus, Pharisee, publican, Peter, disciples, blind man.

Conclusion: Trouble and perplexity should drive us to prayer, for it is persistent and believing prayer that drives trouble and perplexity away. There is, however, no way of approach to God on the ground of our own merits, but only on the ground of God's mercy as shown at the blood-sprinkled mercy seat («mercy» is lit. «propitiation.» The publican said, «be toward me as thou art when thou lookest upon the atoning blood»).

True discipleship is conditioned upon receiving the Lord Jesus Christ with the simplicity and humility of a child, being willing to follow Him and submit to His discipline whatever it may cost us in the things of this world, being confident that whatever we have left behind for His sake will be abundantly made up to us in better things, both here and hereafter.

Key Word: Prayer, Luke 18:1; Luke 18:10; discipleship, Luke 18:22; Luke 18:29; Luke 18:43.

Strong Verses: Luke 18:1; Luke 18:7; Luke 18:14; Luke 18:17; Luke 18:27; Luke 18:29; Luke 18:30.

Striking Facts: Luke 18:31-34. Christ ever speaks of His sufferings as necessary to the fulfillment of Scripture. (1 Peter 1:11.) His death on Calvary was absolutely essential and would have taken place in any case. He came to give His life a ransom, and therefore did not die as a martyr.

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