V.1-8 The Lord tells a parable — an earthly story with a heavenly meaning — so that the disciples will learn that prayer and patience go together. We need to be more afraid that we will not hear the Lord than being afraid that He won’t hear us. It has been said that the quickest way to get on our feet is to get on our knees. Watch and pray.
V.9-14 This lesson on prayer is different. It shows the spirit in which we should pray. Two men speak to God in prayer, then the Lord God speaks. Listen carefully to what He said!
V.15-17 A third lesson by the Lord. This one shows the heart of the disciples but then reveals His heart.
V.18-23 A fourth lesson. This young man doesn’t learn, because his heart and mind were set on the wrong things in life, riches, so he went away sad, even though he still had his riches. They didn’t satisfy him.
V.24-30 A fifth lesson. What seems impossible to people is possible with God. The disciples didn’t realize that the Lord Jesus was introducing something unheard of before. In Old Testament days when a person was faithful and obedient to God, he became rich, because God rewarded him right then and there. They had the evidence of God’s hearing them and rewarding them. But they didn’t realize that, in spite of God’s goodness to them, Israel would turn on God and crucify His Son. But the Gospel story had the secret in it that grace and blessing were going to be a gift of God. That seemed impossible to people.
V.31-34 These verses prove the above remarks. The Lord spoke so plainly. How could anyone not understand the simple words Jesus was saying to them (Read Luke 24:2525Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (Luke 24:25)). He blamed them after He had risen from the dead for being so careless and unbelieving. Are we the same?
V.35-43 If the Pharisee, and then the rich man missed the blessing, a poor blind beggar receives it. He followed Jesus!