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Religious
Called To Repent LUKE 19:1-10 (KJV)
The Scriptures
Luke 19:1 And Jesus
is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Lesson Background
This week’s lesson is part of Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. He had warned His disciples that He would be put to death, but raised to life again. The lesson is set in Jericho, about 15 miles from Jerusalem.
against him. Ostracized by his people, Zacchaeus is on his own in trying to find a spot to see Jesus when he hears He is coming to town.
Zacchaeus maneuvers through the crowd and climbs up a sycamore tree to capture a glimpse of Jesus as He passes by. It is in that mo- ment that Jesus recognizes him because Jesus can read hearts and perceive when someone presses their way through a crowd to get to him (Luke 8:43–48). We should be encouraged that Zacchaeus’ efforts pay off and Jesus spots him because when we seek Jesus with our heart, He will find us (Jere- miah 29:12–14).
Of all the people in the crowd, of all the houses available to Him in Jericho, Jesus purposefully calls out Zacchaeus — the short tax collector perched in the sycamore tree — and asks to dine at his house. This ac- count shows us that no one is counted out.
rounding people murmur about Jesus going to the home of this notorious sin- ner, but Zacchaeus receives Jesus into his home with joy. Jesus’ act of inclusion, mercy, and grace compel Za- cchaeus to make an astound- ing and heartfelt gesture. He submits to Jesus as Lord and pledges to give half of what he owns to the poor; and he will repay those he has ex- torted four times as much as he has taken. Only a true en- counter with Jesus from a heart ready to receive Him can make such a declaration.
Compare Zacchaeus’ re- sponse to that of the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18– 23) whom Jesus tells to sell all he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The rich young ruler leaves sad be- cause, although he follows the Law and believes the Law, he is unable to trust Jesus to let go of all and fol- low Him. Zacchaeus, un-
prompted, volunteers from the heart to give what he has in response to the mercy re- ceived. Jesus responds that Zacchaeus, as a son of Abra- ham, and his household have received salvation. The Son of Man, God incarnate in the earth to repair the breach, has come to seek out and save that which was lost through sin.
Jesus emphasizes that Zacchaeus is a son of Abra- ham to restore his position as an heir of salvation — joint heir with Him by faith not by his works (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Zacchaeus’ money and works did not bring salvation to him or his household; he was called in because of his repentant and humbled heart.
The Lord came to seek and to save those who are lost in sin. No one is beyond God’s acceptance and for- giveness.
entered and through Jericho.
passed
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zac- chaeus, which was the chief among the publi- cans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zac- chaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and re- ceived him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accu- sation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salva- tion come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man
Counted Out
(Luke 19:1–5)
Jesus passes through Jericho, a notable, bustling city in biblical history with a mixed population of Jewish elitists and the unsavory. Here, Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus who got His at- tention as He passed by —de- spite the crowd’s efforts to stop him (Mark 10:46– 52).
Luke adds a different di- mension to the town of Jeri- cho by highlighting Zacchaeus. He is chief tax collector and considered a traitor to his people and a puppet of their oppressor, the Roman government, which occupied Israel.
Tax collectors were de- spised for two reasons. One was the unfair and burden- some taxes they charged to enrich themselves. The other was the fact that such Jews were collaborators with the occupying force of pagan, op- pressive Romans.
Zacchaeus profits greatly from his position and is rich. He is also a short man, which probably is a second strike
Called In
(vv. 6–10)
Zacchaeus quickly comes down from the tree. The sur-
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