On the Road to Jerusalem: A Study of Luke (Humility - Luke 18:9-30)

At Sligo Presbyterian Church, we're using the Gospel of Luke to discuss the journey made by Jesus Christ to the city of Jerusalem, from his birth to his ascension. During our time together, we’ll look at the following:

• Session 1 - The Announcements (Luke 1:1-56)
• Session 2 - The Births (Luke 1:57–2:21)
• Session 3 - Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-52)
• Session 4 - The Ministry of the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
• Session 5 - Jesus is Identified (Luke 3:21–4:13)
• Session 6 - Off and Running (Luke 4:14–5:16)
• Session 7 - Early Controversies (Luke 5:17–6:11)
• Session 8 - Choosing and Preparing the 12 (Luke 6:12-49)
• Session 9 - The Christ (Luke 7:1-50)
• Session 10 - Hearing and Doing (Luke 8:1-21)
• Session 11 - Revealing the Power of God (Luke 8:22-56)
• Session 12 - You Are the Christ of God (Luke 9:1-27)
• Session 13 - A Different Kind of Christ (Luke 9:28-50)
• Session 14 - Beginning the Journey (Luke 9:51–10:24)
• Session 15 - Love of God and Neighbor (Luke 10:25-42)
• Session 16 - Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
• Session 17 - Conflicts and Controversies (Luke 11:14-54)
• Session 18 - Getting Ready [Part 1] (Luke 12:1-34)
• Session 19 - Getting Ready [Part 2]  (Luke 12:35–13:9)
• Session 20 - Unexpected Reversals (Luke 13:10-35)
• Session 21 - Kingdom Etiquette (Luke 14:1-35)
• Session 22 - Parables of Joy (Luke 15:1-32)
• Session 23 - The Problem with Wealth (Luke 16:1-31)
• Session 24 - Forgiveness and Faith (Luke 17:1-19)
• Session 25 - The Kingdom Is Coming (Luke 17:20–18:8)
• Session 26 - Humility (Luke 18:9-30)
• Session 27 - Approaching the City (Luke 18:31–19:28)
• Session 28 - The Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29-48)
• Session 29 - Jesus in the Temple Again (Luke 20:1–21:4)
• Session 30 - The Coming End (Luke 21:5-38)
• Session 31 - The Last Supper (Luke 22:1-20)
• Session 32 - Parting Words (Luke 22:21-38)
• Session 33 - Prayer, Arrest and Denials (Luke 22:39-62)
• Session 34 - Trials (Luke 22:63–23:25)
• Session 35 - Crucifixion and Death (Luke 23:26-56)
• Session 36 - Empty Tomb and Emmaus Road (Luke 24:1-35)
• Session 37 - The Blessing and Departure (Luke 24:36-53)

In our twenty-sixth session, we looked at Luke 18:9-30 and talked about the importance of humility. The discussion and passage are below.

Luke 18:9-30 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’ ” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”

Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not get back very much more in this age and in the age to come eternal life.”