What I Noticed Today (Luke 19)
Luke 19
In verses 1-10, Jesus entered Jericho. Zacchaeus, a rich chief tax collector, wanted to see Jesus but because he was short, he ran ahead and climbed a tree. Jesus saw him and told him to come down saying He needed to stay at his house. Zacchaeus rejoiced and greeted Jesus joyfully and promised to give half his possessions to the poor and pay back four times any money he had extorted. Jesus said today salvation has come to this house because the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.
Note: The chief tax collector was the supervisor of other tax collectors over a region of the Roman empire. He became rich by extorting more money from people than were actually due in taxes to Rome.
Note: Zacchaeus was not saved because he gave half of his possessions to the poor but because his actions demonstrated his right relationship with God.
Note: Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus stands in stark contrast to the rich young ruler who left Jesus saddened by the thought of giving away his possessions.
In verses 11-27, (See also Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus taught the parable of the 10 Minas. He and the disciples were nearing Jerusalem and the disciples thought the kingdom of God was going to appear soon. A wealthy man called 10 of his servants together and gave each of them a mina and told them to engage in business until he returned from a business trip. The man returned, now a king, and called the servants together to have them account for the money he had given them. One servant stepped forward and said he had gained 10 more minas. He was commended and rewarded with authority over 10 towns. Another stepped forward and said he had earned 5 minas and he was given authority over 5 towns. A third servant stepped forward and returned the mina saying he was afraid to invest it for fear of losing it. The master condemned him for not at least putting it on deposit to earn interest. So the mina was taken from him and given to the man who had earned 10.
Note: A mina was the equivalent of 100 drachmas, and a single drachma was a common daily wage for a worker. So giving each man a mina to invest was a significant responsibility.
Note: The group that did not want the man to be the ruler (king) over them represents the religious rulers and others who rejected Jesus. The man who did nothing with the mina accepted the king’s rule but was unfaithful. Those who earned a return had accepted the king’s rule and faithfully invested what they were given just as they had been commanded.
The lesson of the parable for the disciples is that Jesus would go away and when He returned, He would return as king. Those that invest what they have in the kingdom will be rewarded. Those that do not will have their reward taken away, and those who reject Him will be judged.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
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