Scripture reading – Luke 19
Our Scripture reading brings us to Luke 19 and the week leading up to the Cross. Here, we find Jesus and His disciples passing through Jericho (Luke 19:1-27), beginning the Lord’s final journey to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).
Luke 19
Luke 19 recorded Jesus passing through Jericho as He made His final journey to Jerusalem. Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, is located on an oasis in the desert, about ten miles northwest of the Dead Sea. It was in Jericho that a wealthy publican named Zacchaeus providentially encountered Jesus (Luke 19:1-10).
An Unexpected Guest for Supper (Luke 19:1-10)
Let’s enter the scene where Zacchaeus, a notorious sinner, comes face-to-face with the Master. In earlier devotions, we stated the Jewish people’s disdain for tax collectors (publicans). Because they collected taxes for Rome, they were considered traitors to Israel. Men like Zacchaeus were infamous for cheating the people and skimming monies from the taxes they collected. Publicans enriched themselves at the expense of their people and were named among the worst of sinners.
We read, “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). Of all the homes in Jericho, the home of a publican was the last place the people would have pictured Jesus dining. Nevertheless, He knew the heart of Zacchaeus and was received into his house with rejoicing (Luke 19:6).
The people murmured among themselves and were appalled that Jesus would “be guest with a man that is a sinner” (Luke 19:7). Zacchaeus, however, was humbled and moved to repentance by the LORD’s love and compassion. His sorrow over his sins moved him to rise from the table and proclaim, “Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Genuinely repentant for his sins, Zacchaeus desired to make restitution of all he had wrongfully taken (Luke 19:8).
Closing thoughts –
Seeing in Zacchaeus the fruit of sincere repentance, Jesus announced: “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man [a Messianic title; Daniel 7:13] is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9–10).
Though a notorious sinner in the eyes of men, Zacchaeus placed his faith in Jesus Christ and was saved from the condemnation of his sins. By birth, he was a physical “son of Abraham.” By grace through faith, he was more than a “son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9-10); he became a child of God. Abraham and Zacchaeus were saved from the curse of sin because they believed God would place His righteousness on their account.
So, it is for all sinners who come to God, confessing their sins and trusting God’s offer of redemption “by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
Romans 3:23–24 – 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:8–9 – 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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