Luke

Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus' House
The Parable of the Minas
The Triumphal Entry
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Luke 19:1-7

Jericho is the last major city through which Jesus will stop on the way to Jerusalem.  It is about 10 miles northeast of Jerusalem.  It was an old city was lots of history and it is added to as Jesus ministers there.   The original fortified city was conquered by Israel when they first entered the Promised Land.  They passed through on the way to claim the Promised Land, Jesus pass through on the way to deliver the promised salvation.

There was a man in Jericho named Zacchaeus.  Luke wants us to know he was rich and he was a chief tax collector.  Tax collectors were despised by their countryman as traitors, working with Rome to rob the Jews.  This is the only place in the bible where the 'chief' tax collector is noted.  He organized all the tax collectors in the area and collected a healthy commission from them.  Tax collectors were hated and that means chief tax collectors were hated all the more!  Wee little Zacchaeus had lots of enemies and few friends.   He would be considered a renegade by nearly all the people of Jericho, but to Jesus, he was a lost sinner in need of salvation.

The news of Jesus coming was big news.  His reputation preceded Him and people gathered to see Him when He came into Jericho.  The multitude traveling with Jesus wouldn't make that easy.  In addition, this crowd was probably still animated by the healing of Bartimaeus.  Somewhere in that multitude was a formerly blind man enjoying every site, every color, every shape and every glimpse of His Lord.  Zacchaeus didn't stand a chance of seeing past, over or around the crowd because he was so short.  To be considered short in that day, he would have been under five feet tall.  He was apt to get trampled messing around in this crowd. 

Zacchaeus had an idea.  He ran ahead of this multitude and climbed up into a sycamore tree.  This tree is a type of fig tree that bore edible fruit in season.  It was known to have thick branches low to the ground and could grow up to 60' high.  This tree was easy to climb and perfect for Zacchaeus' purpose.  What was he looking for though?  In his heart, had he become aware of the truth Jesus would bring:

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ³⁷ Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

Why did he want to see Jesus?  He could have just dismissed this opportunity, but he didn't, he went out of his way and worked for the opportunity.  Why was this rich man looking for that he went to these lengths to see Jesus?  He was probably looking for the same thing as the rich young ruler.  He came to know that his wealth, authority and power might make up for his stature, but it couldn't fill the emptiness.  Every human has a longing they can't explain that can only be filled with the knowledge, presence and relationship with Jesus.

"There is none righteous, no, not one;

¹¹         There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

¹²         They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10b-12)

As Jesus got to the sycamore tree, He stopped and looked up at Zacchaeus.  What a moment, Jesus was surrounded by a multitude of people and distractions, but there he was looking right up at the chief tax collector.  What did the crowd then look at?  They also looked up to the tax collector, the man who organized other tax collectors to take their money, the man who got rich from their taxes.  Awkward.  This was a divine appointment, one that the crowd wouldn't be too happy about.  Jesus called Him by name. (Has He called you by name?)  I wonder what Zacchaeus first thought was.  Did he wonder how Jesus knew his name?  Did he wonder why Jesus looked up?  Jesus called to him and he went from hoping for a glimpse of this famous man to having him over for dinner.  It wasn't normal to just invite yourself to stay at someone's home.  It was even more abnormal for a Jew, particularly a Rabbi, to go to the home of a tax collector – a chief tax collector no less.  Don't let the enormity of this pass by without considering just how big a deal this was him.  Zacchaeus may have wondered if Jesus would bring the multitude with him.  Where would they sit!?  The reality is, most would not go even if invited.  No tax collector was used to very much company. 

 

Luke 19:8-10

Among the followers of Jesus was Matthew, the former tax collector.  He must have enjoyed seeing this play out.  Jesus had invited Himself over to his house also for a dinner party (Luke 5:29).  The crowd looked at the tax collector as a sinner but saw themselves as good people.  The tax collector knew he was a sinner and knew he needed forgiveness and salvation.  At Matthew's dinner party Jesus said:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)

Jesus came for the likes of Zacchaeus.  What an earthshaking truth, what a life-changing truth.  But it shouldn't have been.  This is the failure of the shepherds of Israel.  This is a key part of the condemnation of Israel and the priests of the temple.  We'll see this when Jesus enters Jerusalem.

⁶ My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." (Ezekiel 34:6)

We see something changed in Zacchaeus.  We see the impossible, as impossible as a camel going through the eye of a needle.  This rich man did what the rich young ruler would not do.  He put Jesus first, Lord of all; Lord of his life.  Zacchaeus died to self, set his will and fleshly desires, his love of money and everything else that ever stood between him and God. 

Zacchaeus immediately gave evidence of the change.  He had a new heart, a new desire.  He wanted to make things right with people.  The law called for restitution to those who you stole from.  The law called for a restoration of what was stolen plus 20% (Lev 6:1-7).  His pledge went beyond the law.  The first half was given away.  The remainder would be used to reimburse fourfold to those he had robbed.  Suddenly, Zacchaeus had friends.  The reference to the false accusation was a tactic used by tax collectors who had the authority of Rome, and often a Roman soldier, behind them.  They made an accusation and demanded a tax or fine be paid immediately.  Zacchaeus no longer wants to be known as that guy, but as the one who restored those things.

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? (James 2:14)

The change in Zacchaeus' life was bearing fruit.  It was the fruit of repentance.  It was the evidence of salvation.  Most Jews assumed salvation was a given because they were descendants of Abrahams.  Jesus declared this tax collector a son of Abraham for salvation had come to him.

⁷ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)

This was provocative and offensive to many in the crowd.  Was Jesus implying this tax collector was as good as them?  Better?  Zacchaeus stands as an example of the ministry of Jesus Christ.  He didn't come to gather a following of those who professed to be good or at least try really hard.  He didn't come for the self-righteous or those who were perfect in their own eyes.  He came to those who knew they were sinners and desired salvation.  He came to seek out and save that which was lost. 

The word 'seek' in verse 10 is a form of the word used to describe the actions of Zacchaeus in verse 3.  He was seeking to see Jesus.  Yet, Jesus came and called him by name.  Jesus was seeking out Zacchaeus – while Zacchaeus would have said he was seeking Jesus.  Perfect!  A divine appointment.  His prevenient grace at work in the heart of this lost man while the Lord sought him out.  God is good.  This gives us hope for our lost loved ones.

Have you encountered Jesus?

What can we learn from Zacchaeus?

1. There was anticipation.
   1. He knew the Lord was coming.  How long had he been aware of something significant missing in his life?  He must have believed the stories of lives being changed. 
2. There was preparation.
   1. Zacchaeus was prepared.  We can know the Holy Spirit had done the important preparation in his heart.  He went out of his way to climb a tree and see Jesus, to find out why he was drawn to him.
3. There was faith.
   1. Zacchaeus could have stayed in the tree and said, "No thanks, I'll just watch from here."  It would have been easy.  He was used to hateful comments and strange looks.  He could have just 'believed' from a distance.  It would have been less disruptive to life and he wouldn't have had to change or give anything up.  However, it would not have been real.  It's authentic faith that brought him down from the tree to Jesus.
4. There was repentance.
   1. It was repentance, evidence of turning from his sin that caused him to give half his money away and so much more to restore to those he had stolen from.  This is the fruit of repentance and faith.  It's trusting Jesus completely.
   2. Paul would have advised something very similar to Zacchaeus. 

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim 6:17-19)

 

Luke 19:11-14

At Zacchaeus' house, Jesus told a parable.  Those following Jesus, many of which were disciples, knew they were drawing near to Jerusalem.  They thought the kingdom of God was as near as Jerusalem.  Many were convinced Jesus was going to set up His kingdom when He entered and remove the Roman occupation of Israel.  It was for this reason Jesus gave the parable.

A nobleman went to a far country.  I find it interesting that the prodigal also went to a 'far country'.  This implies that the nobleman will be gone for a significant amount of time.  The purpose of this journey was to receive a kingdom for himself.  At his departure, the nobleman called his servants together and gave them ten minas.  A mina would have been about 3-4 months of wages for a laborer.  These servants were to be about his business while he was away.  To 'to business' was to buy, sell and trade to turn a profit.  Each servant was to invest his mina, to draw his own wages and do business while he was away.  However, the servant citizens hated this nobleman.  They opposed him and sent a delegation to try to prevent his kingdom.  Notice first that they went ahead and took the minas.  Their rebellion didn't include giving back his provision for them.  And then, they declared they would not be ruled by this man.  They were already his slaves, but they would not allow him to be the sovereign over their life.  

Cultural note:  This very thing had played out in their culture and it may have made this parable come to life for them.  Archelaus, the son of Herod had to go to Rome to receive his commission to rule in the area.  A delegation of 50 was sent to oppose him receiving a kingdom. When returning, he gave away favors and gifts to those who were faithful to him while punishing those who opposed him. 

 

Luke 19:15-23

Some time later, the nobleman returned and his kingdom was granted to him.  His servants were now his subjects as he reigned over them.  It did not matter that they rejected his rule, he was still their ruler.  It didn't matter that they didn't like it.  He called an accounting to find out how they had done carrying on his business while he was away.  

• The first servant to step forward would be the one who did best.  The one who took the responsibility seriously.  The mina given to him was returned with tenfold return.  This rule gave him two very valuable things:  
  • First, the commendation of the king; "Well done, good servant."  
  • The second, was a charge to rule over ten cities, to rule with this ruler.
• The second servant came and did well also, returning fivefold of the initial investment.  He also received the commendation and was awarded a position to rule over five cities with the ruler.
• Another came, he returned the Mina to the master.  He kept the mina hid away, directly disobeying what he was commanded to do.  He saw the nobleman as hard and unjust in collecting what he didn't deposit and reaping what he didn't sow.  This servant didn't not recognize the nobleman's sovereign ownership over the servant's life and possessions.  The wicked servant's words served as his own charges against him, for which he would be punished.  The man failed to even do the minimum.

Note: this wasn't a bank like we think of.  It was a table where moneychangers, lenders operated and conducted business.  Putting the mina on the table allowed another to lend with it, draw interest from it.  The return would be less, but there would have been a return.  

We don't get to hear about the other seven servants, the parable stops at the third, for it was he that made the point and provided the lesion of the parable.  At His coming there is an expectation we have been about our Nobleman's business and put to work what He has entrusted to us.  

 

Luke 19:24-27

The mina was stripped from the wicked servant and given to the man who had ten.  In their roundabout way, they said, 'It's not fair!"  What's not fair though?  It's all his, he provided the minas.  Can he not give and take at will?  Can he not make the rules?  The ruler, in his kingdom, had a right and responsibility to deal with its enemies.  Those rebels would be slain before him.  To the faithful servant, those who have will be given greater things with which to be faithful.  Those who do not have, what they do have will be taken from them.  

This is very similar to the parable of talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  Different amounts were given to the servants, each according to their ability.  The amount of money given was significantly larger.  A talent was over 3 years wages.  

Jesus does not explain the parable.  However, we know that Jesus is approaching Jerusalem and that He was going away for a time.  He told them what was about to happen but it was hidden from their meaning.  The parable probably registered a few things that would become more meaningful in time.

1. The nobleman possessed all of the servant's work; all that he sewed & reaped, all that he invested belonged to him.  How much more did it belong to him when he became ruler. 
2. The faithful servants recognized that it was all his and they accepted the responsibility to act as though he were there or might come back any moment.
3. The work of a reluctant servant and a faithful servant look very much alike but the results are vastly different.  Perhaps be we can hear the rebellious servant complaining, "Why can't I ever get a break?"
4. Each servant received the same amount, but the rewards were vastly different.
5. The mina was modest, yet not insignificant amount.  To one, it was seen as an opportunity for faith. Faith applied by the steward multiplied the modest amount he was entrusted with.  To the faithless or rebellious, it was not worth acting upon.
6. The rebellious one who rejected the rule of the nobleman was destroyed while the others ruled with him in differing degrees.  It is a stark contrast.  There are no grey areas.  

I wonder how long Jesus was gone before this parable was brought to mind and they realized He was their King and they His servants.  Have realized that and acted accordingly, being faithful with all that he has entrusted to us.  

 

Luke 19:28-36

It was all the way back in chapter nine we read this:

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, ⁵² and sent messengers before His face. (Luke 9:51)

The day was drawing near, His purpose loomed before Him just days away.  How hard that must have been to be surrounded by people that couldn't hear the truth, didn't understand His death.  It loomed before the disciples and they were unaware. 

Jesus ended the parable showing them a rule who would go away a while to receive His kingdom and come back after many days.  Those servants left behind were to be about His business.  The end of His journey was drawing near as He came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, just a few miles from Jerusalem.  He sent the disciples to fetch a colt for the event of the day.  Had Jesus set this up ahead of time?  Some speculate that it was.  It does seem as though Jesus anticipating their question and gave the answer as if it were a code phrase.  Others see this borrowing as some cultural norm, as if declaring a need for the Lord was permission to borrow.  The truth is we don't know.

The colt had never been ridden.  The King of Kings was about to reveal Himself for the work He would do.  It was a new work, worthy of a new colt, one never sat upon and a new grave, one which had never been used (and borrowed only for a few days).  The fact that it did not reject Him shows His sovereignty over creation.  The colt was where Jesus sent them and it was procured as directed. 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zech 9:9)

The disciples threw their clothes on the colt as a type of saddle for him.  Jesus sat on the colt and began his journey of fulfilling prophecy.  The multitude that had followed him so far now laid down their cloaks on the road as a type of red carpet entry into the city.  This was an act of homage as the king was presented.  See 1 Kings 1:33 where David anointed Solomon. 

Many came, no doubt, because of hearing that Jesus had raised Lazarus (John 11).  Jesus had told those nearby:

"I am ?the resurrection and the life. ?He who believes in Me, though he may ?die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

News of such an amazing work and the accompanying words must have traveled fast among the gathering crowds.

 

Luke 19:37-44

Imagine the moment of the approaching descent; the view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, the excitement of the days ahead for those traveling with Jesus, the anticipation and festive atmosphere of Passover.  They broke out in song, praising God for all the things they had seen.  This is the day they had been waiting for.  For Jesus, the cross was before Him, the beatings, cursing and persecution was just a few days away.

It was Psalm 118 they had begun to sing, the last of the collection of Egyptian Hallel psalms.  Luke didn't include the 'Hosanna' that Mark did.  It was a song of deliverance, ritualized by the pilgrims coming to the temple to worship and feast.  Luke parts from the ritual when he adds that the King who comes in the Lord's name is blessed.  They were declaring King Jesus with a song of deliverance.  This was well understood by the Pharisees and caused them to respond.  They not only did not agree this was their messiah, they did not want people to see this or Rome to move against Jews, fearing an insurgence. 

However, this day was unique.  It was the beginning of redemption, the purchasing back what had been lost in the garden.  All of mankind and all of creation was fallen.  Theoretically people could be silenced, but the if they were, the very creation would begin to cry out.  Jesus is referring to Habakkuk 2:11.

⁹           "Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,

That he may set his nest on high,

That he may be delivered from the power of disaster!

¹⁰         You give shameful counsel to your house,

Cutting off many peoples,

And sin against your soul.

¹¹         For the stone will cry out from the wall,

And the beam from the timbers will answer it.

Woe to those who escaped the judgment and used it for their personal gain.  Woe to those who set their nest on high above all others.  Woe to those giving shameful counsel, cutting off nations and people.  These words aim at the heart of the politicians and rulers of our day.  The heavens declare His glory.  Man's attempts to suppress this will not stand.  Mankind, the disciples of Christ can declare His glory.  But even if they are silenced, even the rocks themselves, the most inanimate, simple and basic element of creation would declare the arrival of Jesus.  He is the singular of hope of mankind.

The stone crying out, along with the timber are the testimony of the ruins against the city that was rightly judged.  Jerusalem did not await her king, yet even creation knew what was going on.  This caused Jesus to weep.  Things were not as they could be.  It was a sadness for the lost and blind, the sin afflicted and stubborn.  The makings of all that they longed for was right before them, but it was hidden from their eyes.  Jesus describes a time coming in 70_AD when Rome would siege the city and temple destroy it.  This would be the judgment against them, taking away their temple they trusted in and the city they were proud of.  It was the removal of the idols they had created to replace their messiah. 

 

Luke 19:45-48

It's hard to imagine anyone thinking of Jesus as an insurrectionist when He came into town on a donkey.  He truly came 'lowly' as Zechariah said.  This word means humble, meek and without pride or arrogance.  These don't describe any leaders of that day, or our day for that matter.  This is our Lord, coming gently, not to condemn or offend, but to call all men to Himself.   Yet, He came with a purpose from which He would not be redirected.  In His meekness the standards of holiness and righteousness were not compromised, He did not lower the bar but invited everyone, calling to all that He would pay the price for their redemption.  As He came, following Him were disciples who were complete and whole, people whose lives were marked by sin.  Jesus had healed them physically, which is an amazing thing to consider.  However, it wasn't the physical side of their healing that brought the change, it was faith in the healer.  The miracles authenticated His authority and identity and ability.  He was, is and will always be The Christ.  The first coming of Jesus was as the lamb of God.

Luke then shows us a reminder of zeal, authority and righteous indignation that Jesus unleashed on the unsuspecting authorities of the temple.  Jesus gives us an example of righteous anger.  He reaches back to Isaiah 56:6 for the verse He quoted.  The passage it is drawn from regards the temple as a place where God would gather the outcast of Israel as well as others, the gentiles who came there.  The temple was to be a dwelling place of the Lord.  A place where the Lord meets men and where men come to worship and meet the Lord.  Its purpose was sacred and holy, the only place of its kind.  The Lord provided detailed guidance about what was to be done there and how it was to be done. 

It's fascinating to see the variety of paintings and drawings of the cleansing of the temple.  Many of these show Jesus meek and mild, as if He were gently, almost reluctantly, turning over tables.  In one painting He is smiling, an almost apologetic smile, as if dad made Him do it.  However, this is Luke giving us a glimpse of the other side of Jesus.  His first coming was lowly, while His second coming will be fierce.  The first coming ends with Him covered in His blood, nailed to a cross.  The second coming will end with Him covered in others blood having brought judgment to the nations.

Jesus drove these vendors out.  This wasn't a necessary service they were providing, although it may have started that way.  Pilgrims were to bring their sacrifice to the temple, these were the days of Passover, the time to select their Passover lamb.  Every lamb brought to Passover was a small picture, or portrayal, of Jesus.  For those traveling long distances, they would purchase their sacrifices.  It was a racket.  Those inspecting the sufficiency of the sacrifices would reject those brought by people in order to force them to pay premium price to these vendors.  Of course, the priests inspecting sacrifices got a cut of that action.  I imagine this angered Jesus as much as anything.  Sincere pilgrims coming to the temple, bringing their sacrifice were told it was insufficient and the religious authorities would decide what was sufficient.  It shows that man has never stopped creating a god of their own making, even the religious authorities did this, those that were supposed to be about the Father's business, those who were the keepers of the law, of faith of the Father's house.

The money changers were similar.  Only temple coin was accepted, so whatever currency you brought had to be changed, the exchange rate was corrupt, ripping people off, in the name of the Lord, so they could worship and pay their temple tax.  In the parable just given by Jesus, He told the faithful to 'do business till I come'.  This wasn't the kind of business he was speaking of.  The business of the Lord was the work of the Lord, for His honor and glory.  It was being good stewards of what was left in their care.  The fact they were not about this business is what moved Jesus as He approached Jerusalem and the temple.  It could have been, should have been, different.

Recently, some have used this passage as justification for violent protest, for burning business and destroying the property of others.  This is a poor justification and poor use of scripture.  There are significant differences that should be noted.

1. The anger of Jesus was righteous.  He is the Son of God, no other can make that claim.
2. It was His house.  Like we have authority to drive invaders from our house, He drove them from His.
3. Jesus acted against those who used the temple for something far different from its purpose.  They had a man-centered agenda, greed.  In a similar way, those using this passage to burn, loot and destroy are using the sacred scriptures for their man-centered agenda, their idea of social justice.  It would be wise to not try to leverage Jesus and His word for their lusts. 

Jesus came to the temple to teach daily.  The fact that this angered the scribes and Pharisees shows how far they had fallen from God's purpose. They were threatened by Jesus because:

1. They saw Him as a messianic pretender.
2. They had lost control of the crowd.  In essence, the people turned from the Pharisees toward Jesus.

They could do nothing about this, for now.  Their crowd was too large, the passions, emotions and zeal high.  But the week was young and they were plotting.

 

©2020 Doug Ford