There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 NASB.

Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:50.

As we read our chapter, Luke 18, we find, as in this life we live, things that are perishable and what is imperishable. Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” v. 1-8. We know all too well the judges and the people who do not fear God nor respect man. We are so used to that that it’s hard not to paint God with that same brush. But Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, is not us. This next parable shows us all too well ourselves in God’s eyes as we judge others harshly. And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” v. 9-17. We are none of us righteous. We are all of us wounded. Give everything to Him. A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” v. 18-27. Jesus the Son, Creator God, always oriented people then and us now to Creator God the Father. He is Good. And what is impossible for us who are not good is possible in and with God who is Perfect Love. We are rich in all the things we shouldn’t be…pride, contempt, self-righteousness, greed, money, poverty…all the imperishable things. And Peter, stunned as were all who heard Jesus, said they had all left their homes for Him. And Jesus assured him that all who left everything for the kingdom of God will receive many times as much now and in the age to come which is eternal life, v. 28-30. How? As we turn to God and trust Him, we find a closeness with Him and He leads us to life that is Good and not empty of meaning. We find His love. And taking the twelve aside, He tells them what is to come. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said. v. 31-34. What do we not understand today? And as they approached Jericho, a blind man heard the crowd and asked what it was. They told him it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by. He must have heard all the wonderful miracles Jesus had done so he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. v. 35-43. Remember the unrighteous judge? Remember the “righteous” Pharisee? Would they have rebuked and hindered the blind man as the crowd tried to do? And what did that blind man do all the more? He cried out all the more fervently! Are we crying out for God? Or, are we crying out for more money, more self-sufficiency and pride – more of “doing it my way”? And Jesus asks us the same question…What do you want Me to do for you? One day we will each of us reach that point where everything perishable, even our bodies, will fade away. When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Creator God is faithful and He will be there for us. The question is, are we faithfully there for Him?