Tag: Luke

Father, Forgive Them (Luke 23:33-34)

1.0 The Statement

Jesus’ First Statement on the Cross – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34). The last words of a dying Person are very revealing, for example:

  • Karl Marx – On that day that Karl Marx died, March 14, 1883, his Housekeeper came to him and said, “Tell me your last words, and I will write them down.” Marx replied, “Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who have not said enough!” – he could not reconcile within himself.
  • P.T. Barnum, said, as he was dying, “What were today’s receipts?” – Still thinking about worldly things.
  • Napoleon said, “Chief of the Army!” – Still occupied with Conquest.
  • Charles Spurgeon, said as his last words, “Jesus died for me.” – Gratefulness & Thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • John Wesley, the Founder of Methodism said, “The best of all is, God is with us.” – Complete Assurance

In this and subsequent study we are considering the Seven-Statements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made on the Cross – His (Christ’s) Seven Last statements from the Cross. Christ’s Seven Statements are very revealing and very important to us, not only because of Christ who spoke but also because of the Place where these “Seven-Statements,” of Christ were spoken. When our Lord Jesus was doing His Greatest Work on Earth, He spoke forth some of His Greatest Statement. These Last “Seven-Statements,” from the Cross are windows that enable us to “see” Eternity and see and feel God the Father’s Heart.

The First of these “Seven-Statements” is found in Luke 23:33-34: “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the Malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Christ’s Statement: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) is a very profound and the wonders that are in Christ’s Statement asking, “God the Father to forgive,” those that crucified Him. If we grasp the wonders of Christ’s First Statement, we will not have the excuse not to forgive others who hurt us, thus, not harbouring against them.

1.1 Father Addressed

Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Our Lord Jesus addressed God the Father three times when He hung on the Cross:

  • Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” – Is the first statement, in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 – “He (Christ) made intercession for His Transgressors.”
  • Matthew 27:46 “My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?” – This was Christ’s fourth Statement, in fulfilment of the Prophecy of Psalm 22:1.
  • Luke 23:46, then Christ’s final Statement: “Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” This was in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Psalm 31:5a.

No situation/circumstance threatened Christ’s relationship with His Father, even when, (a) Jesus entered His Suffering (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). (b) When Jesus was enduring His Suffering (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). (c) When Jesus emerged victoriously from His Suffering (Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5a). God the Father turned His face from Christ because the sins of the whole Human Race were placed on Him, and Jesus cried out: “My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

1.2 The Appeal

– “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). The Greek New Testament indicates that our Lord Jesus repeated this Prayer – He (Jesus) said several times “Father, forgive them.”

  • As they laid Him on the Cross on the Ground, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.”
  • As they nailed His hands and feet to that Cross, He prayed again, “Father, forgive them.”
  • As they lifted that Cross and placed it in the hole in the ground, Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them.”
  • As Jesus hung on the Cross between Heaven and Earth, He was repeatedly praying, “Father forgives them.” – “Jesus made Intercession for His Transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12b).

Jesus, in His Suffering could have asked the Father to judge His Enemies; He could have called for Legions of Angels to deliver Him, but Jesus did not do it – Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve Legions of Angels?” Many times, when we are hurt or misunderstood, we pray for God’s judgement, on our behalf, on that Individual, this attitude is not scriptural. We need to follow Christ’s example, forgive those who have hurt us or caused disappointments. 

1.3 Fulfillment

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Why did Jesus pray this Prayer of Forgiveness? Jesus was fulfilling the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 (Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 – the Great Calvary Chapter of the Old Testament): “Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sins of many and made intercession for the Transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12). Our Lord Jesus was praying for those who were crucifying Him, as He was fulfilling the Prophecy in Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 recorded 18 facts about the humiliation and suffering and the Work of Christ on the Cross:

  • Jesus’ Visage {Appearance} and Form (Physical) were marred beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14).
  • Jesus was despised of men (Isaiah 53:3a).
  • Jesus was rejected of men (Isaiah 53:3a).
  • Jesus was a Man of Sorrow (Pains – Isaiah 53:3b). Jesus carried our Sorrows (Pains- Isaiah 53:4b).
  • Jesus was acquainted with Grief (Isaiah 53:3b). Jesus borne our Griefs (Isaiah 53:4a).
  • Jesus was stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God (Isaiah 53:4c, 10a).
  • Jesus was wounded for our Transgressions (Sin against God’s Law -Isaiah 53:5a, 8b).
  • Jesus was bruised for our Iniquities (Lawlessness – Isaiah 53:5b,11b).
  • Jesus was chastised for our Peace (Isaiah 53:5b).
  • Jesus was beaten (wounded) for our sickness (Isaiah 53:5c; 1Peter 2:24).
  • Jesus carried all our iniquities, as God the Father laid on Him all our iniquity (Isaiah 53:6b).
  • Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not protest (Isaiah 53:7a).
  • Jesus was led unresistingly to the slaughter (crucifixion on the Cross – Isaiah 53:7b). 
  • Jesus was “cut-off-from-the land-of-the-living,” (experienced real-physical-death – Isaiah 53:8b, 12b).   
  • Jesus was buried on the “borrowed-tomb,” of the rich-man (Isaiah 53:9b).
  • Jesus became “God’s Sin-Offering” (Isaiah 53:10b).
  • Jesus was numbered with the Transgressors (2 thieves – Isaiah 53:12b; John 19:18).
  • Jesus made Intercessors for His Transgressors (Isaiah 53:12c – “Father, forgive them…..” {Luke 23:33-34})

1.4 Ignorant of Person of Christ

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) – What the High Priests and the People ignorant of His (Christ’s) Person:

  • Ignorant of Christ’s Person – they mocked Him as the Prophet – “Prophesy, tell us who struck You” (Luke 22:64).
  • Mock Jesus as the King – they put a robe on Him, gave Him as a sceptre and a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29).
  • Laughed at Him (Christ’s) claim that He is the Son of God – “If you are the Christ, come down, from the Cross,” (Matthew 27:40).

But History and Believers have proven that Jesus, is the Christ, the Son of God – God’s Redemptive Atoning Work through Him (Christ – Matthew 16:16; 2Corinthians 5:21). 

1.5 Ignorant of their Own Actions

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34):

  • The High Priests and the People were ignorant of their own actions – they did not realise that what they were doing was the fulfilment of the Prophecy in God’s Word of Isaiah 52:13 to  Isaiah 53:12.
  • The Soldiers parted His (Christ’) Garment (Luke 23:34), in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18.
  • The Soldiers gave Jesus’ vinegar to drink (Luke 23:36), in fulfilment of Psalm 69:21.
  • The Soldiers crucified Him (Jesus) with the Transgressors (Luke 23:33), in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12a “He was numbered with the Transgressors (2 thieves).”

1.6 Ignorant of their sin

Most of all, the High Priests, and the Jewish People were ignorant of the enormity of their own sin. In the Old Testament, the Jewish Law made provision the Offering of the “Sins of Ignorance” (Leviticus 4). Jesus was saying: “Father, My people do not understand; they are ignorant. I am dying for them. They know not what they do; I know what I am doing – I am dying in their behalf. Now, Father, forgive them.”

  • Peter – Acts 3:17, Apostle Peter said to the Jewish Leaders: “I know that through ignorance you did it.” 
  • Paul himself, in 1Timothy 1:13 states: “I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

1.7 Christ’s Message

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His Disciples: “Love your Enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and Pray (Intercede – Isaiah 53:12b) for them which despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  Jesus was demonstrating the Message of Forgiveness that He Taught: “Now, if you do not forgive from your heart, God cannot forgive you,” in the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15).

Jesus demonstrated “the spirit of forgiveness,” during the time of the Romans Era. The Romans worshipped god of revenge – Revenge was one of the gods of the Romans. Our Lord Jesus did not take revenge, so we must not. – Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34), in fulfilment of the Prophecy (Isaiah 53:12b – “He {Jesus} made intercession for the Transgressors”) and His (Jesus’) Teaching on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44; 6:14-15).

1.8 Purpose of Christ’s Death

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). The Cross of Jesus Christ is the Gospel of Hope because God forgives Sinners. We do not have to go round with the weight and the wage of sin – Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Forgiveness is what the Cross of Jesus Christ is all about; and of God’s forgiveness is not cheap, it costs the Life of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ in His Broken Body and Shed-Blood in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection – 1Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand. By which also you are saved, if we hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believe in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Thus, we will have no problem forgiving others if we are in right relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit; if we obey God’s Word, remembering that we have received God’s Forgiveness. The wonder of Christ’s address to the Father and the wonder of Christ’s appeal to the Father – “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b).

1.9 Jesus’ Advocacy

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b) – Jesus gave the reason for asking God the Father’s forgiveness to those that crucified Him – “For they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34b). Jesus not only prayed for His Enemies, but also presented the reason on their behalf!  Jesus is the Lawyer (Advocate – 1John 2:1b) – Giving the reason why His Father should forgive those who crucified Him – “For they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34b). The Declaration: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34), has been greatly misunderstood; this Declaration does not mean that everybody is automatically forgiven, nor does it mean that ignorance brings forgiveness. Christ’s Redemptive Work in the Cross has to be acknowledged, received and embraced – Acknowledging that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 16:16); Receiving Him (Jesus) as our Lord and Saviour (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13 – “Calling on the Name of the LORD”) – Romans 10:9-10, 13 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…..For ‘whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved.”  

1.10 God’s Answer

Jesus Sacrificial Redemptive Death on the Cross, His Broken Body and Shed Blood is God’s Answer for the Salvation of the Fallen Human Race – Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world and death through sin, and death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (1Corinthians 15:22a – “In Adam all die”). The First Adam sinned and introduce sin and death to the whole Human Race (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:22a); the Last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we can be made righteous before God (2Corinthians 5:21).   

Practical Application

The High Priests of Israel condemned their Messiah (Christ – Matthew 27:22b, 23, 25). His own Disciples failed Him and fled (Mark 14:50). Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). God the Father was willing, for His Son, Christ, to be the Substitutionary Atoning Sacrifice for Humanity, in order that man’s sin can be forgiven, in Christ’s Sacrificial Redemptive Work. Thus, sometimes it is very difficult for us to forgive people who have hurt us and spoken against us; but we need to forgive as God, in Christ, forgive us – “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34a, Isaiah 53:12b).

Three Crosses at Calvary (Luke 23:39-43)

1.0 The Statement

John 19:18 “Where they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre” (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33)

  • On the crucifixion day only three Crosses, why??
  • Why, is Jesus placed in the centre, with the notorious Criminals, one on either side?
  • It was Prophesied in Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.”

It was God’s Plan, to have two other thieves crucified with Jesus on Calvary on Christ’s crucifixion-day, in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.”

On Calvary, outside the City of Jerusalem, Jesus, the Sinless (2Corinthians 5:21), was placed in the midst of two notorious Criminals. God, in His Sovereignty, has in the placing of the two thieves, in order to represent the two great classes into which the whole of humanity is divided now and in Eternity – the Person who experienced Salvation (saved) and the other who does not experience Salvation (lost).

1.1 Christ in the Midst

On the centre Cross hung Jesus in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.” This is affirmed in Mark 15:28 “He (Christ) was numbered with the Transgressors.” Because the three (Christ and the two thieves) are crucified together, showing forth three relative truths:

  • Christ dies for sin (2Corinthians 5:21).
  • One thief dies in sin (Luke 23:39).
  • One thief dies to sin (Luke 23:40-43).

The two thieves were dying for their own iniquities – Luke 23:41a “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”

  • Christ, the Dying Saviour – Luke 23:41b “This Man (Christ) has done nothing wrong,” (2Corinthians 5:21),is dying for the two men and for all the two men represented (Saved and Lost)
  • One Thief is the “dying-Saint” (experienced Salvation) – Luke 23:42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom’” – No man can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12:3b). Jesus Assurance – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
  • Other Thief is a “a dying Sinner” (lost) – Luke 23:39-41) “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds but this Man (Christ) has done nothing wrong.”      

As we view these grim Crosses, we find ourselves hanging on one of the three Crosses, for such a scene presents the separation Christ and His Gospel brings about.

1.2 The Cross of Redemption

The centre Cross is the Greatest of the three Crosses on Calvary – in the centre Cross (Christ’s Cross) is the Truth, which is the Foundational and Central Revelation of Scripture (Bible), and the central point in all history.

The heart of Christianity is the Bible, and the heart of the Bible is the Cross of Jesus Christ – and the heart of the Cross of Jesus Christ is the heart of God the Father, who is in Christ reconciling the World unto Himself – 2Corinthians 5:18a “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ.” 

Crucifixion, the form of capital punishment conceived by the Romans and abolished as such by Emperor Constantine, as meted out to Jesus the Sinless One of God forms the darkest as well as the brightest blot on the pages of history – at the Cross of Jesus Christ, we see man at his worst – but God at His best.

What infinite condescension it was on the part of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, to make Himself of no reputation, to be willing to be reckoned among Transgressors (Mark 15:28), and to be thought of as the Chief of the Three dying on the Crosses, that day! There Christ Jesus was in agony and fully forsaken by God the Father, because of the load of the sins of humanity upon Him (Psalm 22:3; Matthew 27:46) – “And about the nineth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli’ Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” – Jesus dying like Sinners (reckoned among Transgressors – Mark 15:28 – the two thieves), dying among the Sinners (Mark 15:28), but dying for Sinners (2Corinthians 5:21).

No wonder Apostle Paul revered the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ – 1Corinthians 1:18 “The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.” At the Cross of Calvary, we see fourfold accomplishment:

God’s Love Manifested – At the Cross of Jesus Christ, at Calvary, we learned that God loves us without stint (period) and reserve – God, in the Substitutionary Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on our behalf – 1John 4:8b “God is Love” – John 3:16a “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

God’s Law Satisfied – Christ, came not to destroy “The Law,” but to fulfil “The Law” – by His death, He met and discharged the exacting demands of the Divine Law:

  • Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil.”
  • Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Jesus took our condemnation and curse, Himself being made a curse – Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:10b), having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” The middle Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is the charter of our forgiveness, the guarantee of our acceptance as children of God with inheritance (Romans 8:14-17).

Our Liberty Secured – We are Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ – Ephesians 1:7 “In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”  And there is Power in the Shed Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:5 (RV) “Unto Him that loveth us and loosed us from our sins in His blood.” There is ever-continuing efficacy of Christ’s Finished Work on the Cross of Calvary – John 19:30 “It is Finished.”  And therefore, we are “to stand fast, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Galatians 5:1).   

Spirit-Filled Life – It is one thing to believe and receive the Crucified Christ, and different matter altogether to live a crucified life – Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Christ died that we may live, not to the carnal self (1Corinthians 3:1-4), but to God, through the Spirit:

  • Live in the Spirit – Galatians 5:25a “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
  • Led by the Spirit – Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Romans 8:14)
  • Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

The Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ not only cancelled our past (Justification – 2Corinthians 5:21) but has provision for our future (Sanctification – Hebrews 10:10, 14); and the end (Glorification – 1John 3:2).

Paul’s teaching in his Epistles is drenched with the message and mission of the Cross – Paul is “determined to know nothing among men save Christ, and Him (Christ) crucified” (2Corinthians 2:2). In Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.”  There are three triads to summarise his (Paul’s) teaching on the Cross in Galatians 6:14, for which he (Paul) suffered many persecutions:   

  • Christ on the Cross – Galatians 6:14b “The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – The Cross is the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ – The Cross of Christ has Life, Hope and Assurance of Eternity.
  • The World on the Cross – Galatians 6:14c “By whom the world has been crucified to me (Paul).” Christ’s Cross carries the Present World, with all its glitter, is now “a hollow thing” to Paul himself. – The world is crucified – dead, having no appeal to Paul himself.
  • The Believer on the Cross – Galatians 6:14d “And I to the world.” – The Believer’s Cross brings us to a realization of the mystic truth about being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), walking in His (Christ’s) Sacrifice, sharing Christ’s Death; Paul could write to the Philippians about being made conformable to Christ’s Death. Is our, the crucified life (Galatians 2:20)? – Are we dead to the appeal to the world?

1.3 The Cross of Reception

The Thief who acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, experienced the Power of the Cross of Reception – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” As Jesus had declared earlier: “I, if I am lifted up, will draw all men unto Me” (John 12:32). The dying thief on the Cross is the first fulfilment of that Prophecy. Here we find Christ illustrating His threefold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King:

  • Prophet (Acts 3:22), Jesus said to the daughters of Jerusalem, “Weep not for Me, but for yourselves, and for the days that are coming.” (Luke 23:28) – Prophetic Declaration.
  • Priest (Hebrews 4:15), Jesus prayed: “Father forgives them,” (Luke 23:34); and cried in triumph, “It is Finished” (John 19:30).
  • King (Revelation 19:16), Jesus opened the door of Glory of Heaven for a believing Individual to enter – “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43b).

It is a manifestation of Christ’s Saving Grace – the exchange for his (thief’s) sin for Christ Righteousness – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  There are two truths emerging from this Divine Exchange between the believing thief and Jesus:

The Triumph of Faith – The Bible teaches: “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16a). The dying believing Thief could only believe (Luke 23:42) – his naked faith in Christ’s Promise saved him (Luke 23:43). Thus, he is saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). When Jesus assured the dying believing Thief: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” it means immediate entrance into Christ’s Glory – He departed with Christ, and revelled in His (Christ’s) Presence.

The Triumph of Grace – The dying believing Thief was “a dead-bed” conversion, that whenever and wherever a Sinner repents and receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, he experienced God’s Grace in Salvation – Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Jesus assured: “Whoever cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). 

1.4 The Cross of Rejection

The Thief who rejected and blasphemed Christ on the Cross, suffered the consequence of separation from God and His (God’s) Redemptive Work and Presence –  Eternal Separation from God – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” This Thief died in his callousness (heartlessness) and in his sin – this unrepentant, unsaved Thief was so near to Christ as his now repentant Companion in crime was, and he could have received the same assurance of pardon from the Lord Jesus, if he cried out for the Lord Jesus’ mercy; but, instead, continued to blasphemed the Lord Jesus to the end.

From one side of the Cross of Christ, a Thief goes to Paradise (Luke 23:43); while the unrepentant Thief goes to Perdition (Hell – “Lake of Fire and Brimstone” {Revelation 20:15}). Here God’s Universal Law is enacted (ratified) – Christ is either the Saviour of Life or Death. The three Crosses on Calvary demonstrates how the Cross of Christ divides the world.

Wherever Christ is lifted up in testimony and offered, there are those who repented and received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Saviour; and there are those who scorn in disbelieve on the other, like the unrepentant Thief who continued to blasphemed the Lord Jesus (Luke 43:39) – thus, the Preaching of the Cross of Christ is either the Power of God unto Salvation, or it is foolishness: – 1Corinthians 1:22-24 “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.”  The sad situation of the unrepentant Thief show-forth two thoughts:

Christ without the Cross – The unrepentant Thief wants Christ without the Cross – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” – In the beginning, both Thieves cried, “If You be the Christ, save Yourself and us” – Matthew 27:44 “Even the robbers who were crucified with Him (Christ) reviled Him with the same thing.” (Mark 15:32b):

  • The Thief who believed, discovered that Christ could provide the way of Salvation and acknowledged Him and received Him – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Even though he still has to pay the physical penalty for his crime (John 19:32).
  • The unrepentant Thief clung to his desire of the bloodless Gospel – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” The Modern-Christianity is for a Christ without the blood-stained Cross – called the “ethical Christ,” “the Social-Christ,” “Christ the Teacher, the Exemplar.” But Christ and His Cross are eternally nailed together, Paul stated: “We preach Christ crucified,” – 1Corinthians 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.”

Christ crucified on the Cross is the only Gospel that God’s Spirit acknowledges and works on – Ephesians 1:7 “In Him (Christ) we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” The Preaching of the Cross is always the Power of God unto Salvation (1Corinthians 1:23-24).

The Thief Died in his Sin – The unrepentant Thief died in his sin, even though the Salvation was close at hand – Christ was in his midst – Mark 15:27-28 With Him (Christ) they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So, the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He (Christ) was numbered with the transgressors” It was impossible for Christ to be any nearer to either of the Thieves than He was. The one Thief took the opportunity and received Jesus as Lord and Saviour and was with Jesus in Paradise (Luke 23:42-43); whereas the other Thief was just as close to the Lord Jesus Christ, but he failed to take his opportunity to accept God’s proffered (extended) Mercy. The unrepentant Thief was in the perilous state without Christ, as he died in his sins (Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:22a) – Revelation 20:16 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Unjust Judge & the Widow (Luke 18:1-8)

The Text

Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV) “Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Saying: ‘There was a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.’ Now there was a widow in that city: and she came to him, saying. ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he (Judge) would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?’ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?”  

1. The Setting

In Luke 18:1-30 we find the last events in the public ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded by Luke prior to the final journey to Jerusalem – Luke 18:31 “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 shall be accomplished.” In Luke 18, there are two Parables on Prayer (Luke 18:1-8; Luke 18:9-14): 

  • Perseverance in Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)
  • Right Attitude in Prayer (Luke 18:9-14)

2. The Moral of the Parable

The Moral of the Parable is found in Luke 18:7-8 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?”

  • This Parable teaches that God will avenge His people in answer to their prayer, though He is longsuffering in dealing with mankind.
  • Our prayer should be consistent and persistent (1Thessalonians 3:10) and that we should not lose-heart (faint-hearted – Luke 18;1) because sometimes God does not immediately answer our prayers – Luke 18:1(NKJV) “Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart (faint).” The word “faint” describes a person who loses heart and gets so discouraged that the person wants to quit

3. The Background

This Parable is set in its Eastern-Setting – the “Courtroom” is not in a permanent building but a tent that is moved from place to place as the Judge covers his circuit. The Judge not the Law sets the agenda; he represents the Authority; he is surrounded by his Assistants. Anybody could watch the court-proceeding from the outside, but only those who are accepted and approved could have their cases tried. This usually mean bribing one of the Judge’s Assistants so that the case could be called to the Judge’s attention.

4. The Widow’s Dilemma

The widow has three obstacles to overcome: First, woman in the Eastern-Setting at the time of Christ has little standing in society and also before the Court and the Law and thus a woman does not go to Court. Second, the woman is a widow, and thus, she has no husband to represent her or stand with her in Court. Widows are a traditionally vulnerable group in Palestine society. Girls are regularly married at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and so a widow could be quite young. For a wife to lose her husband is to lose her position and status in society, and her natural protector.  Finally, she is a poor widow, and she could not pay a bribe, even when she wants to, and as such she does not get the protection of the Court and the Law.

5. The Widow’s Petition

Widows are often easy game for the ruthless Exploiter – “devouring widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40b). The widow shouts out her petition, outside the tent (Court), seeking the unjust Judge to avenge her of her adversary – Luke 18:3 (NKJV) “Now there was a widow in that city: and she came to him, saying. ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’”  

  • Legal Transaction – Prayer is more than meeting physical needs; it is “a legal transaction,” recognized in the Court of Heaven, as the word “adversary” (Gk: “antidikos”) means “an opponent in a lawsuit.” The widow is seeking vindication – it is a legal case needing justice, vindication and avenging of her adversary, her enemy. Prayer initiates legal action in Heaven’s Court which affects the outcome of matters in the earthly realm. In essence, prayer has a legal perspective. Prayer is not just a religious act; it is a binding legal transaction.
  • Divine Decree – Prayer is also “seeking vindication” – the term “vindication” (Gk: “ekdikeson”) is not a request for punishment of her adversary, but for a decree that would provide protection from his (adversary) injustices.  Thus, prayer is about the manifestation of God’s decree in the lives of His children, setting something in order, or making something right.    
  • Persistent – Luke 18:5 (NKJV) “Yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” The word “came” (Luke 18:3 – Gk: “ercheto”) is in the imperfect tense, which implies that she keeps coming – the widow walks around outside the tent (Court) and shout out her petition. The widow persistently and consistently keeps coming to the unjust judge appealing for justice, for him to take up her cause.

    The widow is imploring for justice, to set things right on her behalf, which is one of the important purposes of prayer; prayer has a binding legal transaction, asking God to reconcile every situation and circumstance in the earthly realm with His will and purpose – Matthew 6:10 “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”

6. The Unjust Judge

Luke 18:2 (NKJV) “There was a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.” The unjust Judge’s three characteristics: First, he (unjust Judge) is unjust –unjust in all his dealings. Second, he (unjust Judge) does not fear God, that is, he does not uphold the first four Commandments of the Decalogue. Finally, he (unjust Judge) does not have regard or respect for man – that is, he is contemptuous to the people and thus does not uphold the last six Commandments of the Decalogue.

  • Worn-Down – “And he (unjust Judge) would not” (Luke 18:4a) – The verb expresses his (unjust Judge) state of mind rather than a single act. The unjust Judge is worn-down by the widow’s persistent, consistent and insistence petition – Luke 18:4-5 (NKJV) “And he (Judge) would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Even though the unjust Judge would not pay-attention to her for a while, he is finally worn-down with her persistency, consistency, and insistence.
  • Ruined Reputation – The word “weary” (Gk: “hypopiaze”) literally means “give me a black eye” or “damage reputation.”  

7. Application

The Parable does not teach that God must be “argued” or “bribed” into answering our prayer. Jesus uses a form of logic that reasons from the lesser (unjust Judge) to the greater (God, the Righteous Judge) – Luke 18:6-8 (NKJV) Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?’ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?” If the unjust Judge eventually responded to the widow’s persistent appeals, how much more will God, the Righteous Judge respond to His people. The parable of the persistent widow teaches us two things:

  • Pray or Faint – Luke 18:1 (NKJV) “Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” If a person does not pray, he will faint (lose-heart); there is no middle-ground. The word “faint” means “to lose-heart and gets discouraged.” Jesus teaches us that we should not give up but be persistent in prayer.
  • Faith on Earth? – Luke 18:8b (Amp Bible) “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find persistence in the faith on the earth?” The implication, at the End-of-the-Age, unbelief will abound in the earth; whereas, the Son of Man (Jesus) will find faith in His people, as demonstrated in the widow woman – her persistency not only in her fortitude but also persistent in faith that she would be heard by the unjust Judge; so should the Individual Believer has this persistency of faith before the Righteous Judge, expecting answers to our prayers.   

8. Post-Note

Judges in the Nation of Israel are to be righteous and impartial in their judgements, underpinned justice with mercy (Exodus 18:13-22; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18; 1Kings 3:9; Psalm 9:8; Genesis 18:19; Psalm 89:14). Widows in Israel are to be care for, protected (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; 24:17; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:23; James 1:27; Malachi 3:5); with Divine judgement on those who opposed the widows and the fatherless.

Financial Freedom (Luke 16:11)

The Statement

Money is an essential aspect of life. We cannot avoid being involved with it. It can be a Good Servant or a Terrible Master. Either way it affects every other area of our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us if we are not able to handle our finance prudently (worldly wealth), how can He (Jesus) entrusts us with His Riches? – Luke 16:11“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11). There are various causes of financial difficulty, but the most common is overspending:

  • This may involve spending all the money we have, leaving none for giving or saving for the future.
  • Spending everything, we have almost inevitably lead to living on credit, which is spending money we do not have.
  • Living on credit reduces our future resources, initiating a vicious cycle of increased borrowing that can lead to a seemingly hopeless situation.
  • Overspending and indebtedness can develop at any age. People with high income are not immune.

The Root of Overspending

A Psychological Test was carried out, the Audiences were given a quick reflex test by asking them to list the emotions they associate with money: Often the lists are dominated by worry, concern, guilt, or desire. There were Psychological Factors discovered, in the Test, behind overspending:

  • The Person may be deprived as a child and would be determined that he and his family would enjoy everything life has to offer.
  • Others think poorly of themselves and try to compensate with displays of affluence.
  • Some seek emotional security in material things when they do not feel loved and accepted.

More often the problem has simpler roots. Some People simply do not know how to manage their financial affairs. Our Society’s insistence on instant gratification encourages overspending. The advertising that surrounds us creates artificial “needs” is another powerful stimulus to overspending. All, of these roots of overspending find fertile grounds in the soil of materialism – the age-old desire for and slavery to material things. Materialism expresses itself in:

  • Covetousness (greedy desire for what does not belong to us).
  • Possessiveness (selfishly clinging to everything we have).

Overspending is almost always closely related to this inordinate desire for things and pleasure. The answer to gaining control of our finances lies deeper than good rules of financial management. These are necessary, but more fundamental is the process of growing into maturity in a very significant area of our life, our attitude. The correct attitude is essential to controlling money.

God’s Word – The Bible provides us the Principle and Guidance on the Management of our Finance. If we are to achieve control, the understanding of the Principles are essential:

God’s Blessing – Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” God created the material universe as a provision, not as a temptation. He described His Creation as “good.” Money represents material things. It functions as a medium of exchange and a store value, facilitating the use of God’s Creation in many ways. If the material things God created are Good, so is the money we substitute for them in exchange. Therefore, our attitude toward both material things and money should be positive.

Stewardship – 1Corinthians 4:1-2 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Responsibility is a corollary of Freedom. All through the Scriptures Individuals are held accountable for their attitudes, decisions and actions. The Scriptures established the Principle of Individual Ownership of the Person’s attitudes and actions. God gives us the right to control and the use of our wealth. But with our right to control what we own comes our responsibility to use it as God’s Stewards, accountable to Him. This responsibility of Stewardship is an Individual matter. In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), each Steward is held responsible and rewarded or rebuked according to his diligence.

Apostle Paul set the example of assuming responsibility for his financial needs, even though he had the right to be supported by those who have benefited from his ministry (2Thessalonians 3:6-10). He encourages his Followers to work to meet their own needs and to help others (Ephesians 4:28, 1Thessalonians 4:11-12). Unless a person demonstrates his trustworthiness in these “little things” of material wealth, he cannot expect God to entrust him the true riches of Eternal Values (Luke 16:11).

Live Below Income – Proverbs 21:20 “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (TLB). Our standard of living must be such that total expenditures are less than income. This requires a life-style that keeps material things in their proper perspective. If we are living within our means, there will be resources to meet even severe emergencies without violating this rule. This is an essential step toward financial freedom. It is particularly importance that this rule never be violated because violations are cumulative and inevitably make tomorrow’s problems worse than today’s. Yet, it is so obvious that it is often overlooked, and its violation is the source of nearly all financial difficulty.

Establish Priorities of Use – Establish priorities for the use of our Resources. Much has been written about the proper order of priorities for the Christian, but our basic guidance should come from God’s Word. Living below our income implies an orderly control of necessary expenditures and at least a small surplus that can be used for optional priorities – including giving and saving – Proverbs 21:20 “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (TLB).

Master Our Credit – Proverbs 22:7 “The Rich rule over the Poor, and the Borrower is Servant to the Lender.” In our society credit is the greatest single impediment to financial control. It is not only readily available but is foisted on consumers through the clever advertising of both money and product. Spending on credit without proper control is likening to “a foolish man who spends whatever he gets” (Proverbs 21:20 – TLB).

Learn to Buy Wisely – The Virtuous Wife of Proverbs 31, we are told: “sees that her trading is profitable” (Proverbs 31:18). Clearly, she must have looked for good buys! Notice that she “considers a field and buys it” (Proverbs 31:16). One Writer states that he does not believe that it is an exaggeration to say that expenditure costing one family, of the same family size, $10,000.00 can cost another $15,000.00. Many factors enter into this discrepancy, but the important ones are ordinary common sense, patience, and willingness to search hard for the best buy. Financial Freedom – Living in control of our financial affairs – is not only a wonderful experience, it is an enabling one. It prepares us for fruitful usefulness in other areas of life, an initial step toward maturity!

Prayer the Answer to Not Giving Up (Luke 18:1-14) (Part 2)

The Day of Crisis

Proverbs 24:10-12 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver those who are drawn unto death and those who are ready to be slain.“

  • Proverbs 24:10 there is a play on the word adversity (Hebrews “tsarah”) = “distressful (severe trouble, mental pain), constricting, narrowing, pressure-packed,” and small (Hebrews “tsar”) = “narrow.” Because of the “constricting” nature of adversity, our smallness (“narrow corridor”) of strength amplified the situation, thus resulting in “fainting” = Disheartened, a sense of Hopelessness.
  • Proverbs 24:11-12 set forth situations where the character of the Person is tested. The obligation to receive the Person who is being overwhelmed by situation is set forth. Any attempt to avoid the responsibilities for deliverance in such situations is unacceptable. One may not hypocritically plead ignorance. The God who knows us will “render to every man according to his works.”
  • King Solomon reminds us that the time of crisis is in reality a test of strength, an opportunity for the Person to demonstrate his mettle. Strength neutralized by pressure is weakness. For the Person who cannot show strength to cope, endure, or produce while under pressure and in difficulty is perhaps physical weakling.

Waiting on God

The Answer to Fainting is Prayer (Luke 18:1) and Waiting on the LORD (Isaiah) – Isaiah 40:28-31 “Hast thou not known? Has, thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to those who have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

  • Abraham Lincoln once confided: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those around me seemed insufficient for the day.”
  • Good Decision – A popular story concerns a successful Executive retiring after much Fruitful Leadership. His Young Replacement nervously asked, “Sir, to what do you attribute your Success?” His quick response was “Good Decisions!” And how, sir, did you know how to make Good Decisions? That’s simple, son, by Experience.” Please, sir, where does this Experience come from? “From Bad Decisions,” was his honest reply. Leaders learn from their Mistakes.

Mind – Area of Fainting

Hebrews12:3“For consider Him (Jesus) that endured such contradiction (opposition) of Sinners (sinful men) against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

The Issue – “Wearied” = Sick (James 5:15; Fainting, Revelation 2:3). Weariness is a sudden breakdown in Endurance. “Faint” = Despond, become exhausted, or slack in one’s mind:

  • A more gradual relaxation in vigilance
  • Mental Depression can lead to psychological loss of determination and even physical fatigue and sickness.
  • Discouragement is not a single moment but over a period of time, with a gradual slackening of resolve

The Meditation – The Corrective for Weariness and Fainting is an ever deepening consideration of the Humiliation and Sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ in comparison with our Own Sufferings:

  • In considering our Lord Jesus Christ we must have regard to the Infinite Glory of His Person, the depth of the humiliation to which He suffered both under the cruelty of man, and the wrath of God, and the perfection of the example of meekness, quietness and constancy with which He endured all. 
  • Meditations of our Lord’s humiliation and sufferings will strengthen our courage and support our faith and the solace of our hearts.

Peace of Mind – – In his bestseller, “Peace of Mind,” Joshua Liebman tells of his experience as a young man. He listed the supreme goods in his life and took them to a Wise Mentor. When he showed him the list, he expected to be praised for his precocity (maturity). His list included such values as love, health, riches, talent, beauty and friends. The Wise Old Mentor pondered the list, then with a twinkle in his eye, reached for a pencil. He drew a line through each item on the list and then said: “Young man, you may have all of these, but they will turn out to be your enemies instead of friends unless you have the one and most important thing you missed.” Then he wrote on the paper, “the gift of an untroubled mind.” – Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in Perfect Peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.”

Summary

The Answers to Weariness and Fainting are:

  • Prayer (Luke 18:1).
  • Waiting on the LORD (Isaiah 40:31).
  • Considering the Humiliation and Sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:3).
  • Not weary and faint not in Well-doing = Rewards (Galatians 6:9).

Prayer the Answer to Not Giving Up (Luke 18:1-14) (Part 1)

Scripture

Luke 18:1“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Romans 12:12 “Patient in tribulation, continuing instant (diligently) in prayer.”)

The Setting

Luke 18:1-30, we find the last events in the Public Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded by Luke prior to the Final Journey to Jerusalem:  Luke 18:31 “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 shall be accomplished.” In Luke 18:31 is where the story of the Final Journey begins.  In this paragraph there are two Sections:

2 Parables on Prayer

  • Perseverance in Prayer (Luke 18:1-8).
  • Right Attitude in Prayer (Luke 18:9-14).

Which unquestionably took place in close connection? The First Parable was spoken to His (Jesus’) Disciples (Luke 18:1-8) and the Second Parable to the Crowd or Jewish Rulers, who trust in themselves. The two Parables moved in the same realm of thought but had two entirely different emphases.

2 Incidents

  • The Lesson of the Little Children – Luke 18:15-17
  • The Hindrance of Riches – Luke 18:18-27

Endurance

Luke 18:1“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”

  • The Necessity of Prayer – The First Parable opens with a very arresting statement. Our Lord Jesus Christ introduces this Parable in order to emphasize the Necessity for Prayer, and the Necessity for Prayer as a way of life for the Christian in the face of the events that surround Christ’s Second Coming (Luke 17:22-37).
  • The Revelation – The Age in which we live would be days of great difficulty. The Parable, then, is a Revelation of what is necessary for the Life of Faith, in the Age which is not conducive to faith. In such an Age, Prayer is the very essence of life to carry us through to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Prayer or Faint – Under such circumstances, our Lord Jesus Christ says, in effect, there is one alternative offered to us, Prayer or Faint. Our Lord Jesus warns of the Age and of the life of His people through that Age, is that unless we Pray, we will Faint. Thus, the Revelation on the Purpose of the Parable is revealed in the opening verse of Luke 18:1 “And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Romans 12:12 “Patient in tribulation, continuing instant (diligently) in prayer.”).
  • Readiness – Our Lord Jesus Christ was making an immediate application of His Prophecy on the Second Coming (Luke 17:22-37). Readiness for His Return will be conditioned by Prayer.

The Principle Enforced

  • Positively – “Men ought always to pray.” “Ought” = Renders an infinitive (dein) which expresses a moral and spiritual obligation. It is only “always prayer” that will Prevent the Fainting.
  • Negatively –“Not to faint” means “Never to lose heart.” The word “to faint” render a word (enkakein) which means “to give in to evil, to lose heart, or to play the coward:”
    • It suggests great trials.
    • It suggests a lack of spiritual health.

All of these meanings enhance Jesus’ Words about Prayer.  Men are not to do these things but are to rely upon Prayer for strength, encouragement, and bravery. That the Apostles needed such an exhortation is seen in their conduct when Jesus was arrested. But that they kept Praying and received answer is evident in their conduct following Pentecost. It was to encourage them to be perseverance in Prayer that the Lord Jesus spoke the Parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8). 

Discouragement

To be discouraged is to lose heart and strength. Doctors and Psychologists are convinced of the relationship between the two:

  • Discouragement can actually paralyze both our wills to do something and our strength to carry it out.
  • Discouragement saps our strength emotionally and physically.
  • Weariness – We need to be aware of the relationship between weariness and discouragement. We are especially susceptible to discouragement when we are overly tired. A person often gets discouraged when he is too tired.
  • Temptation – We need to be aware of the relationship between physical weariness and temptation. That is why it seems to be Satan’s prime strategy against those who really want to work for God.
  • Faith – Luke 18:8 “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Our Lord Jesus is concerned that Christians might Fail to Pray persistently and therefore become discouraged and lose Faith.

To be continued….. Stay tuned