Will he find faith ?
 

Luke 18:8…..”However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth ? Why this question ? What does it really mean and what does it imply ?

Hello Molearner.
To me, thinking about it, the question looks like a perfect synthesis of God's will and our free will. True to the form of Christ purpose. And I found it a ironic and interesting that you responded with yet more questions. I do not read the bible much, so I always appreciate a thoughtful reference whenever one comes along. Thanks.

Don't know :smile:

Sky,

As you might imagine I had an answer(s) in mind when I posed the question. This scenario happens in real life all the time. Think of becoming the new boss at work or becoming the manager or coach of a sports team. The question in both instances is ‘will I find people who will accept my authority ?’ I either sign their paychecks or decide if they will play for me. I will take care of them(keep them on the payroll or let them play) if they accept my authority.

I visualize God as one that honors free will. One is free to reject Him and, if so, that is OK….just don’t expect any benefits…..:). If, however, one submits to his will he falls under his protection. It takes faith to relinquish your own free will but you can always revert to it. However, we are told that no one can serve 2 masters.

IMO the best example of this in the Bible is the instance of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant….Matthew 8:5-13. The centurion asked for help and showed that he had faith in Jesus…..and then spoke of how the line of authority worked in his own life. The scripture tells us that Jesus was astonished upon hearing this and Jesus declared that this was the greatest faith that He had encountered in Israel……and then He healed the servant.

Faith is the starting point. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 famously speaks of faith, hope and charity(love) declaring that love is the greatest…which is true. But love is a result of a progression..and faith is the first step. People might misinterpret this thinking that I am referring only to a ‘Christian’ God. God is without denomination……

Apostasy of ending days.
 

Hi All,

This phrase relates the apostasy that will come at the end of days ; classical apocalyptical theme.

The Time of Prayer
(context Luke 18 : 1-8, even if some see that parable of the Widow not related with the last sentence 18:8 ; understandable if that’s an addition of some zealous scribes) :

The widow is the example of the poor without defense.
If even a bad judge could give her justice, then God, the Just, will listen the prayer of those who follow Jesus and ask the Kingdom of the Father to establish peace.
The prayer when one is confronted to a test, without being discouraged, appears here like being another aspect of faith.
Because at this time, Iniquity was (will) abounding :
‘And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold’ (Mt 24:12).
See Mt 24:6-14.
And 2 Th 2:3.
Even if James 5:8-9 "...the Judge is standing before the doors."
The come back ‘as a thief in the night’ of Jesus II being long delayed, the Faith would have died even in the hearts of the good ones.

R.

When I get some I might know :icon_eek:

Knock at heavens door.
 

'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you : For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.'

Rameses,

It is directly related. The thing that is on exhibition here is the persistence of faith. That was the opening parable of this chapter.

If one goes to the closing parable of the chapter….Luke 18:35-43….it returns to this same theme of persistence. They attempted to silence the blind man but he was even more determined to get the attention of Jesus. He did and he was healed. v.42….”Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” “. Obviously Jesus did not say that he had healed the blind man but, rather, that his faith had healed him. This speaks directly to the power of faith.

For fact checkers….I misspoke…..those concluding verses were a miracle of Jesus….not a parable……

Sky,

I have faith in you…..😊

Much has been left unsaid about those 2 scriptures from Luke 18…..

The dead fish and the ragged lamb.
 

Go ahead.

Please.

Discussing the writings of scribes without real metaphysical depths is not my cup of tea. Sorry :help:
My understanding being limited.

But maybe you might find a silver coin in the mouth of the dead fish.

I'm with you.

What I found intriguing about Luke 18 was the interesting juxtaposition of the opening parable and the concluding miracle of Jesus. In the parable the widow was confronting the unjust judge. ‘Faith can move mountains’. Symbolically the unjust judge represents the ‘mountain’ to the widow yet with her faith she was persistent in speaking truth to power.

Luke 18:7-8…..”And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night(persistence) ? Will he keep putting them off ? I tell you , he will see that they get justice, and QUICKLY……the ‘chosen ones’ are precisely those with faith.

Now for the concluding miracle…Luke 18:35-42: the blind man was persistent in having an audience with Jesus. Things proceeded quickly….vs 40-43….”When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you ?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately (quickly) he received his sight and followed Jesus….” Light=sight….Jesus=light….following Jesus is following the light.

We often cite single verses and read them literally. We can miss the symbolism that is contained in the greater context….contemplation can be an exercise in connecting the dots. That is when scripture comes alive and meaning and understanding is revealed.

Simple, Jesus is spoken word so then when spoken truth comes to mankind will mankind believe it/trust it /have faith in it.

. I think you summed this whole discussion up in 4 words. Have faith in one another and yourself.