By Pastor David Hentschel
In Luke 18:15-34, we are drawn into a series of encounters that Jesus has with different groups of people, each offering profound insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God and what it means to follow Jesus. Let’s break down these verses and reflect on their significance for our lives today.
“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum beautifully encapsulates fundamental life lessons often overlooked in our quest for success and recognition. Fulghum writes:
“Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder.”
These simple, profound truths remind us of the childlike qualities Jesus values—qualities we see exemplified in the passages from Luke 18:15-34. This scripture draws us into a series of encounters that Jesus has with different groups of people, each offering profound insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God and what it means to follow Jesus. Let’s break down these verses and reflect on their significance for our lives today.
A Lesson from Some Kids (Luke 18:15-17)
The passage opens with people bringing infants to Jesus, hoping for His blessing. The disciples, perhaps seeing this as an interruption, rebuke them. But Jesus’ response is striking: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 16).
Jesus emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is for those who approach with childlike faith and humility. Children represent dependence, trust, and simplicity. To enter God’s Kingdom, we must set aside our self-sufficiency and pride, embracing a heart that is open, trusting, and reliant on God’s grace.
A Lesson from a Very Rich Man (Luke 18:18-30)
Next, we encounter the rich young ruler, a man who has kept the commandments and seeks eternal life. Jesus, perceiving his heart, challenges him to sell all his possessions and follow Him. The man becomes sorrowful, for he is very wealthy.
This encounter highlights the danger of material wealth and the difficulty it poses in fully surrendering to God. Jesus remarks, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (v. 24). Wealth can create a false sense of security and self-reliance, distracting us from our need for God. Jesus calls us to examine what holds our hearts captive and to be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of fully following Him.
A Lesson for Us All (Luke 18:29-34)
Peter, reflecting on the sacrifices he and the other disciples have made, asks Jesus about their reward. Jesus assures him that anyone who has left home, family, or fields for the sake of the Kingdom will receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.
This promise reassures us that sacrifices made for Jesus are never in vain. God sees our sacrifices and promises abundant blessings, both now and in eternity. The call to discipleship may involve significant costs, but the rewards far surpass anything we could imagine.
The passage concludes with Jesus taking the Twelve aside and predicting His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. Despite hearing this, the disciples do not fully grasp what Jesus is telling them. This prediction reminds us of the centrality of the cross in our faith. Jesus willingly walked the path of suffering and death to bring us salvation.
This is the greatest act of humility of all time, and Jesus humbled himself for us.
We were worth it to him, therefore, following Him is worth it … to us.
Luke 18:15-34 challenges us to reflect on our own faith and priorities. Are we approaching God with the humility and trust of a child? Are we willing to let go of our attachments and follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Are we prepared to endure the costs of discipleship, confident in the promises of God’s abundant blessings?
As we meditate on these questions, let’s pray for the grace to live out these truths in our daily lives, embodying the childlike faith, sacrificial spirit, and cross-bearing commitment that Jesus calls us to. Following Jesus is worth it.
