JESUS WENT ON INTO JERICHO. Jesus had crossed the Jordan near Jericho, the city of palm trees, and the road led directly through there on the way to Jerusalem. Mark shows us that Jesus was ahead of the crowd; went on in to Jericho; the noise of the crowd disturbed the blind men [Luke mentions only t... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR THERE. Both the importance and location of Jericho would make it a center for the Roman tax collection. Zacchaeus was supervisor of the district. WHO WAS RICH. The job paid very well. But he was honest (Luke 19:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS TRYING TO SEE WHO JESUS WAS. His curiosity was aroused by all the noise and the crowd. CLIMBED A SYCAMORE TREE. This was a type of _fig-mulberry_ tree with low-hanging branches. His smallness would not allow him to see over the heads of the crowd.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE I MUST STAY IN YOUR HOUSE TODAY. Not just to find a place to stay, but because Jesus saw in this man something valuable. His work was to search out and to save.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WELCOMED HIM WITH GREAT JOY. He had not expected such an honor.... [ Continue Reading ]
STARTED GRUMBLING. This crowd expected Jesus to be crowned king of a political kingdom as soon as he arrived at Jerusalem. Here he is the guest of a tax collector, a chief agent for the Roman oppressors. If Jesus had been concerned about popularity, he would not have gone to Zacchaeus' house.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZACCHAEUS STOOD UP. This must be in response to the Lord's teaching. I WILL GIVE HALF MY BELONGINGS TO THE POOR. This is proof of his faith! No doubt he had been in love with the idea of being rich. Now he has found something much greater, and gives his love to Jesus! AND IF I HAVE CHEATED ANYONE. P... [ Continue Reading ]
SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE. Because Zacchaeus has truly turned from sin and turned to God! IS A DESCENDANT OF ABRAHAM. Jesus may have said this to the crowd, because in their narrow understanding, they thought only Jews had any part in God's kingdom. But the true descendants of Abraham are tho... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME. His whole purpose is to _rescue_ those who are lost. This is why he went to Zaccheaus' house.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS NOW ALMOST AT JERUSALEM. Not over twenty miles from there. Since the crowd expected him to set up an earthly kingdom like David's as soon as he arrived at Jerusalem, he tells this parable.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A NOBLEMAN. This is a lot like the parable of the Three Servants in Matthew 25:14-30. But this one has a different purpose. TO BE MADE KING. Christ would leave earth and return to heaven before being made King.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GAVE THEM EACH A GOLD COIN. [Worth perhaps $160 in 1974 dollars.] SEE WHAT YOU CAN EARN WITH THIS. It was given to be used. Note that in this parable, each received exactly the same amount. It seems a small amount for a nobleman to give, and would not "buy loyalty.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE DON'T WANT THIS MAN TO BE OUR KING. After his _raising from death_ and his _being taken up to heaven,_ many of the Jews would still reject him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NOBLEMAN WAS MADE KING AND CAME BACK. His Second Coming, when he rewards his servants. TO APPEAR BEFORE HIM. To find out how much each has earned with the "gold coin.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, I HAVE EARNED TEN GOLD COINS. Compare notes on Matthew 25:19-23. The gold coin can be symbolic of _truth._ Their ability to use it accounts for the different degree of gain. [Will there be degrees of reward and punishment in Eternity? See note on Luke 12:48.] In this life, being trustworthy in... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, HERE IS YOUR GOLD COIN. It is not enough that we do no harm to others. We must take positive action to _do good!_ Salvation is solely on the basis of _God's act in Christ;_ but we have been _created_ for a life of good works (Ephesians 2:10). To fail to do this is rebellion against God. Compare... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE SAID. To the angels (Matthew 13:41; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Jude 1:14]. THAT TO EVERYONE WHO HAS. Those who have been faithful to their trust will receive all that God has promised! But the unfaithful will be disinherited forever! [These are all God's people who are being judged. The Jews had n... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR THESE ENEMIES OF MINE. This shows the doom of all who will not permit the Lord to be their King. See Matthew 13:49; Matthew 21:44; Matthew 25:30; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEN WENT ON TO JERUSALEM. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem climbs 3,000 feet in eighteen miles. All four Gospels give this. See notes on Matthew 21:1-16. DOWN THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. The city of Jerusalem and the temple burst into view! GOD BLESS THE KING! They still expected Jesus to announce h... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE SAW IT HE WEPT OVER IT. Only Luke gives these words. This is a lot like what Jesus predicted _in_ Matthew 24:15-22. Compare notes there. Only one other place speaks of Jesus weeping (John 11:35). IF YOU ONLY KNEW TODAY. This was the time of opportunity and peace. But unbelief made it impossi... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS WENT INTO THE TEMPLE. An act of authority. He made the temple ritually pure. See notes on Matthew 21:12-17. BECAUSE ALL THE PEOPLE. Public opinion made it difficult for the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]