April 18th
In our NT reading for today, we have the interaction of Jesus with the tax collector, Zacchaeus:
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (ESV)
Jesus calls the rich tax collector, Zacchaeus, so that he can stay at his house. Jesus is asking for hospitality. Zacchaeus joyfully receives the Lord. This causes people in the crowd to grumble, for they hated tax collectors, who worked for Rome, taking extra money for themselves from the people. Zacchaeus repents of his greedy ways and promises to give half of his fortune to the poor and to give back anything he has defrauded from people fourfold. Jesus declares that Zacchaeus has entered the Kingdom and has been saved. This is an example of a rich man that did not go away sad. He had joy at Jesus and his heart was changed.The ESV Study Bible says of this incident:
"Luke 19:1–10 Jesus and Zacchaeus. Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is an example of the kingdom of God bringing salvation to the outcasts. It also provides a lesson on the proper kingdom use of money and possessions."
If Zacchaeus can enter the Kingdom, then those who grumbled should be able to change their hearts and do the same. Sadly, many would not, because they could not. Jesus came to save the lost, not the (self)righteous. We must see our need for a savior to confess the Savior.
Matthew 22:13-14
Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
In our NT reading for today, we have the interaction of Jesus with the tax collector, Zacchaeus:
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (ESV)
Jesus calls the rich tax collector, Zacchaeus, so that he can stay at his house. Jesus is asking for hospitality. Zacchaeus joyfully receives the Lord. This causes people in the crowd to grumble, for they hated tax collectors, who worked for Rome, taking extra money for themselves from the people. Zacchaeus repents of his greedy ways and promises to give half of his fortune to the poor and to give back anything he has defrauded from people fourfold. Jesus declares that Zacchaeus has entered the Kingdom and has been saved. This is an example of a rich man that did not go away sad. He had joy at Jesus and his heart was changed.The ESV Study Bible says of this incident:
"Luke 19:1–10 Jesus and Zacchaeus. Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is an example of the kingdom of God bringing salvation to the outcasts. It also provides a lesson on the proper kingdom use of money and possessions."
If Zacchaeus can enter the Kingdom, then those who grumbled should be able to change their hearts and do the same. Sadly, many would not, because they could not. Jesus came to save the lost, not the (self)righteous. We must see our need for a savior to confess the Savior.
Matthew 22:13-14
Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
