路加福音 第18 章 Part 1 Luke Chapter 18 Part 1
- 馬克牧師
- Apr 1
- 11 min read
各位平安，我們今天讀的是《路加福音》第18章。
在這一章當中，有一段非常重要、也跟金錢管理與認知有關的經文 —— 就是那位「富足的官」尋求永生的故事。這段故事在《馬太福音》和《馬可福音》也有記載，而它經常被誤解。我會在下一集專門講這段「富足的官」尋求永生的故事。
今天我們則專注分享第18章中的其他部分，特別是禱告的重要性，以及驕傲的危險。
這章的結構其實可以分成三個主題：
第一段：寡婦與不義的法官（禱告）對應最後一段：耶利哥瞎子得醫治的故事
中間段：法利賽人和小孩子的比較（驕傲與謙卑）
富有的官求永生（對於金錢和救恩的關係）
首先我們來看第一段關於寡婦與法官的比喻，耶穌要我們明白「人應當常常禱告，不可灰心」。
故事講的是，有一個不義的法官，他「不懼怕神，也不尊重人」，是一位很惡劣的角色。然而，同城裡有個寡婦，天天來向他求申冤。她不斷地求、不斷地纏，最後連這個不義的法官都受不了了，心裡說：「這女人太煩了，我還是幫她解決了，免得她一直煩我。」
耶穌的重點不是說上帝像這個不義的法官，而是說：「連一個這麼不講理的人，被纏久了都會伸冤，更何況是愛我們、聽我們禱告的天父呢？」
祂說：「神的選民晝夜呼籲他，他縱然忍了多時，豈不終究給他們伸冤嗎？」
這告訴我們：禱告可以是迫切的、不斷的，但永遠要記得一件事 —— 『願祢的旨意成就』。
就像耶穌在客西馬尼園的禱告：「倘若可行，求你將這杯撤去；然而不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」這是禱告最核心的精神 —— 不是讓神來完成我們的意願，而是我們順服神的計劃與心意。
禱告的誤區：不是要讓上帝照我們的意思成就
禱告其實有一個我們常常忽略的誤區：我們很多時候以為禱告是「讓上帝聽我們的意思」，好像我們為了一件事情禱告，上帝如果照我們的禱告去做，這就叫「聽禱告」。
但其實，禱告從來都不是要告訴上帝我們需要什麼。
耶穌早就說過：「你們的父在你們祈求以先，早已知道你們所需用的。」（馬太福音 6:8）
難道我們要在禱告裡提醒上帝：「主啊，我需要這個。」然後上帝才恍然大悟地說：「啊！原來你需要這個，我都不知道，現在你講了，我才知道要給你。」—— 當然不是這樣子的。
禱告的真正目的：是讓我們更靠近神的心意
禱告的真正目的，是讓我們親近上帝，學習順服祂的計劃。從起初到末了，上帝的計劃都是完美的、早已安排好的。
我們的禱告，不是去改變神的心意，而是讓我們的心更明白祂的旨意。禱告的過程，是讓我們越來越有祂的心腸，越來越貼近祂的方向。
如保羅在羅馬書說：「誰曾知道主的心？誰作過祂的謀士呢？」（羅馬書11:34）我們不是來「建議」上帝怎麼做的，而是求神將祂的旨意啟示給我們，讓我們願意順服並跟隨。
所以，懇切禱告的關鍵是什麼？
不是「禱告越多、神就越會照我們的意思做」，而是在禱告中求神對我們說話，求神改變我們的心，使我們越來越明白祂的心意，成為合祂心意的人，照著祂的旨意而活。
關於禱告的懇切度，我們在路加福音第18章第35節的故事中看見一個極具代表性的例子。
在耶利哥城，有一位瞎子坐在路旁行乞。他聽見人群嘈雜，便詢問：「發生什麼事了？」人們告訴他：「耶穌正在經過。」
他立刻大聲呼喊說：
「大衛的子孫耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」（v.38）
這邊我們若對照英文聖經，可以看得更清楚：第38節用的是 "shouted"（大喊）， 這是用來高聲叫喚某人名字的語氣，他是在喊耶穌的名字。
但當人群試圖要阻止他時，他並沒有退縮，反而在第39節中：
「越發喊叫說：大衛的子孫啊，可憐我吧！」英文用的是 "screamed"（尖叫）——這已不是平靜的禱告，而是撕心裂肺的呼求。
那是一種充滿迫切與絕望的尖叫聲，一種不顧旁人眼光、不計任何代價的渴望。他不理會周圍的人如何制止他，他甚至讓所有人的聲音都被他淹沒——因為他知道，這是他的唯一機會。
這就是懇切的禱告。
當你禱告的時候，這個世界也許會要你閉嘴，你的環境、你的壓力、甚至你身邊的人，可能會叫你「安靜一點」、「別太激動」。但是你內心那個向主呼求的聲音，只要是真誠的，是迫切的，就像這位瞎子一樣，耶穌會聽見。
他用他全身的力氣、他一生的盼望，在那一刻呼喊：「耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」而耶穌，真的就停下來，轉過身，拯救了他。
這是懇切禱告的力量——它不是說話的技巧，而是來自心靈深處的渴望與信心。
耶穌說的「仗著自己是義人，藐視別人」—— 打一個比喻
當時，猶太人認為虔誠的人一天要禱告三次，而且是早上、中午，還有下午三點。還有些人認為，在聖殿裡禱告會特別有效，所以很多人會在這些時間點，擠進聖殿裡面去禱告。
這裡也要稍微解釋一下：有些人認為牧師的禱告比較有效，或者是比較敬虔的人，長老、執事的禱告比較有力量。
耶穌在這裡要解釋的，就是這些觀念其實都是錯誤的。
耶穌要強調的是：這個法利賽人，其實他喜歡的不是禱告，而是讓眾人看見他在禱告。他喜歡被看見他的敬虔。無論是他穿的衣服，還是他禁食禱告的時候，把衣服弄得散亂、臉塗白，好讓人知道他正在禁食。
說穿了，這些禱告根本不是為了上帝，而是為了自己。他說：「神啊，我感謝你，因為我不像其他人……」你看，這人的禱告根本重點不是上帝，是他自己。他根本是在向自己獻祭，在讚美自己，而不是在敬拜上帝。
民間宗教中的錯誤邏輯：功德越多、越敬虔？
在很多民間宗教裡，我們也常看到這種邏輯：
我捐一百萬，就比你捐十萬、捐一萬的更有功德。
我抄經抄了一百遍，比你抄五十遍的人更敬虔。
念經次數越多、時間越長，好像就是越虔誠。
這整套邏輯都在「比較功勞」——我做得比你多，所以我就是比較好的人、比較得神喜悅的人。
但你仔細去想：這些善行，到頭來是不是都變成了自己的驕傲？變成了「功德排行榜」，變成了「屬靈成就徽章」。
他們所做的一切，最終榮耀的根本不是神，而是他們自己的行為本身。那個稅吏遠遠地站著，
甚至不敢抬頭望天，只能捶著自己的胸口哭泣地說：
「神啊，求你開恩憐憫我這個罪人！」
這是何等謙卑的禱告。當我們真正明白信仰的核心，就會知道，我們的生命不是拿來與別人比較的——不是比誰更好、誰更敬虔、誰做得更多。
真正的標準，是拿我們的生命去對照耶穌的義。而當我們這麼做時，我們就會明白：我們根本沒有任何資格自誇。
我們的功勞，不是為了在人前誇口，也不是為了向同胞炫耀，而是在上帝公義的光中，看見自己的不足。不論你做了多少大事、不論你完成了多少服事，在神的面前，我們仍然只是蒙憐憫的罪人。
那個稅吏正是明白了這一點。他沒有倚靠自己的善行、也不自誇自己的改變，他只有一個心聲：「神啊，求你開恩憐憫我。」
他的禱告成為救恩的鑰匙，因為上帝要降卑那驕傲的，也要高舉那謙卑的。
耶穌接著說：「若不回轉，像小孩子一樣，是不能進神的國的。」
為什麼孩子如此重要？因為孩子單純、不驕傲；因為孩子天真可愛、容易相信；他們對父母的話有著完全的信任。孩子不會自誇，而且他們很容易接受批評和教訓。耶穌要我們回轉像孩子，謙卑受教，當我們像孩子一樣單純地相信天父的話、信靠祂的帶領，這就是天國的樣式。
教會裡最可愛的聲音，就是孩子的吵鬧聲。一個有孩子的教會，是有未來、有盼望的教會。感謝所有在主日學中服事的老師們，你們的辛勞與奉獻，正在為下一代的屬靈生命打下穩固的根基。孩子們從小在教會中成長，學習成為服事者，教會方能夠一代一代傳承，永續下去。
願每一間教會都有孩童的歡笑聲，因為孩子的聲音，就是天國的聲音。
Peace to you all—today we’re reading Luke chapter 18.
This chapter contains a very important passage related to money, stewardship, and our understanding of wealth: the story of the rich ruler seeking eternal life. This same story is recorded in Matthew and Mark, and it's often misunderstood. I’ll devote the next episode to explore that story in depth.
Today, let’s focus on the other parts of Luke 18—particularly the importance of prayer and the danger of pride.
This chapter can be divided into three key sections:
The Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge (Prayer) — paralleled by the healing of the blind man near Jericho at the end of the chapter.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector / Jesus and the Little Children — a teaching on pride and humility.
The Rich Ruler Seeking Eternal Life — a powerful lesson on wealth and salvation (to be discussed next time).
The Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge: Prayer and Perseverance
Jesus begins by teaching that we “should always pray and not give up.”
He tells a parable of an unjust judge—“who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.”A widow in that town kept coming to him, asking for justice. She came day after day, again and again, until finally—even though he didn’t care—he said to himself, “This woman is wearing me out! I’ll just give her justice so she’ll stop bothering me.”
Now, Jesus is not saying that God is like this judge. Rather, His point is this:
“If even a man like that—who has no fear of God—eventually gives in to persistence, how much more will your loving heavenly Father respond to His people who cry out to Him day and night?”
And Jesus adds, “Though He bears long with them, will He not bring about justice?”
This reminds us that while persistent prayer is powerful, we must always anchor it in this phrase:“Your will be done.”
Just like Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane:
“If it is possible, take this cup from me—yet not my will, but Yours be done.”
That is the essence of prayer—not asking God to fulfill our desires, but aligning our hearts with His will.
The Misconception About Prayer: It’s Not About Getting God to Do What We Want
Many of us think prayer is about “convincing God” or getting Him to do what we want.We think if we pray hard enough, and He answers the way we hoped, then God has “heard our prayer.”
But Jesus already taught:
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)
We’re not informing God of anything new in prayer. God doesn’t need to be reminded or updated.
“Oh! You need a job? I had no idea—now that you prayed, let me get to it.”Of course not!
The Real Purpose of Prayer: To Draw Us Closer to God’s Heart
Prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind—it’s about changing our own hearts.
God’s plan is already perfect from beginning to end.Prayer is how we align ourselves with that plan—how we tune in to His voice, His will, His timing.
As Paul wrote in Romans 11:34:
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”
We are not here to advise God—we are here to ask for revelation and respond in obedience.
So what is the key to persistent prayer?
A Blind Man’s Cry: The Depth of Desperate Prayer
In verse 35, we see a powerful example of desperate, sincere prayer:
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside begging. Hearing the crowd, he asked what was happening.
They told him: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
And immediately he shouted:
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v.38)
If we read this in English, we see a deeper nuance:
In verse 38, the word used is “shouted” — a loud cry to call someone’s name.
But in verse 39, when the crowd tries to silence him, the text says he “screamed even louder.”
This was not a composed, formal prayer.This was a cry from the gut, a desperate shout from someone who knew: “This is my only chance.”
Despite the crowd trying to shut him up, he screamed with all his strength:
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
And Jesus stopped.Jesus turned, heard him, and healed him.
That’s what heartfelt, persistent prayer does.It’s not about the right words—it’s about the right heart.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: A Warning Against Religious Pride
Jesus continues with another parable:
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else…”
Back then, devout Jews were expected to pray three times a day: morning, noon, and 3 p.m.Many believed praying in the Temple made their prayers more effective.
(And let’s be honest—even today, some still think pastors or elders have “stronger” prayers than others.)
But Jesus cuts through these assumptions:
It’s not who prays, but how you pray that matters.
He tells of a Pharisee who stood in the Temple and prayed aloud:
“God, I thank You that I am not like other people…”(Translation: “Look how good I am!”)
This man wasn’t really talking to God—he was admiring himself.His prayer was self-worship, not worship of God.
The False Logic of “More Deeds = More Holiness”
This mindset is common in many traditional religions:
“I donated a million dollars—so I’m more righteous than someone who gave ten thousand.”
“I’ve copied Scriptures a hundred times—so I’m more devout.”
It becomes a scoreboard of spiritual performance, where deeds are done not out of love or humility, but to earn recognition.
And at that point, even our good works are tainted—because they’re no longer for God’s glory, but for our own.
The Tax Collector’s Prayer: The Key to True Righteousness
Meanwhile, the tax collector stood far off.
He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to heaven.He beat his chest and cried, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
That is true humility.
The tax collector didn’t compare himself to others—he simply stood before God and knew he was unworthy.
When we measure ourselves by Jesus, not by others, we realize none of us are good enough.
No matter how much we’ve done, no matter how hard we’ve tried,before the holiness of God—we are still sinners in need of mercy.
And that’s exactly what this man understood. He didn’t present his good deeds. He simply said: “God, have mercy on me.”
And Jesus said: “This man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.”
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
“Unless You Become Like Little Children…”
Jesus continues: “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Why are children such a powerful example?
Because they are:
Pure in heart,
Quick to believe,
Trusting without reservation,
Unpretentious and humble.
They receive correction without defensiveness, and they depend on their parents with full confidence.
Jesus is saying: “That’s what faith looks like.”
A church with children’s laughter is a church with a future.A congregation that welcomes children is full of life and hope.
So thank you to every Sunday school teacher—your labor is sowing seeds of faith in the next generation.
May every church be filled with the sounds of children,because the voice of a child is the sound of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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