What seemed impossible in the previous chapter now happens in Luke 19 as a wealthy man named Zaccheus chooses to follow Jesus.
Jesus tells a parable about being trustworthy with a few things in order to gain more responsibility.
Jesus enters Jerusalem and is hailed as the King and the One who will bring peace. He clears out the money changers in the Temple courts because they were getting in the way of people experiencing God.
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Message Notes:
In Luke 19, we have an example of the impossible taking place, made possible because God does the miraculous. A rich man chooses Jesus over his wealth.
A tax collector named Zaccheus wants to see Jesus. Because he’s short he climbs a tree to do so. Jesus sees Him and goes with him to share a meal. Zaccheus sells half his possessions and promises to make things right with those from whom he had stolen money. The people grumble that Jesus would eat with a sinner. Jesus explains: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
(Luke 19:10 NIV)
Jesus then tells a parable about a noble man who became king who gave 3 servants money (a Mina which was worth 3 months of wages) and tells them to put that money to work. The first two had increased the money through their business dealings so they were rewarded with responsibility for the same number of cities as the number of minas they now had). One servant didn’t do anything with the money so what he had was given to the one who had earned the most.
If we are trustworthy with little things, we will be entrusted with more. If our bosses or kings who are evil reward faithfulness, how much more should we be trustworthy and hard working with our compassionate, gracious, and kind heavenly Father.
Jesus enters Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey and some there are cheering for Him, shouting out something very similar to what the angels told the shepherds in Luke 2. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38 NIV)
Jesus weeps over the city knowing that most have rejected the peace He brings and that within a generation the Romans would destroy the city.
Jesus then goes to the temple courts and drives out the money changers who were stealing from the people. They were making it harder for the Gentiles and the foreigners to connect with God.
He remained at the temple courts teaching which infuriated the religious leaders.
