Luke 18:35-43 & Lk.19:1-10
Q.1. How does the difference between the attitude of Jesus and that of the crowds, challenge us? – (Lk.18:35-43)
Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, was an embarrassment to the crowds. Once he knew that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out above the noise – “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Lk.18:38). He acknowledged that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah Who had descended from King David. The leaders of the crowd – were sternly telling him to be quiet (Lk.18:39). Bartimaeus was only useful for their alms-giving rituals. His calling out was unwanted. However, nothing, and no one could stop him. How differently Jesus responded. He stopped on his way and asked for Bartimaeus to be brought to Him (Lk.18:40). He asked Bartimaeus to verbalize his heart’s desire … then Jesus restored his sight (Lk.18:41-42). Bartimaeus was overjoyed, followed Jesus, and gave Him glory, as did the crowds (Lk.18:43).
Q.2. What kind of man was Zaccheus before he met Jesus? What made Zaccheus change? How did this change express itself? – (Lk.19:1-8)
Zaccheus was a despised tax-collector with few friends (unlike Matthew Levi c.f. Lk.5:27-29). He was a little man with a large bank balance. He heard that Jesus was near and climbed up a tree to be able to see Him (Lk.19:1-4). We can imagine his surprise when Jesus stopped, looked up, and invited Himself to stay at his home (Lk.19:5-6). We are not privy to the whole conversation, but the impact of Jesus was dramatic and far-reaching. After eating – Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much” (Lk.19:8). The time spent with Jesus transformed his priorities. This transformation expressed itself in genuine repentance, and generosity toward those whom he had mistreated.
Q.3. What did the transformation of Zaccheus mean to Jesus? In what ways did Jesus live out His mission? Do we? – (Lk.19:9-10)
The response of Zaccheus proved to Jesus that salvation had come to his house, and that Zaccheus was a true son of Abraham. This was in contrast to the Scribes and Pharisees who claimed to be Abraham’s children (Lk.19:9). Jesus constantly challenged the claims of the religious leaders of His day, and summed up these challenges when He declared – 39 … If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father … (Jn.8:39-41). He was true to His mission – for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Lk.19:10).