Luke 19

Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man After All (1-9)

Perhaps after reading chapter 18, the reader is still struggling with the statement Jesus made against rich people in 18:24 “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”  So how fitting Luke gives us the episode of Zacchaeus’ conversion right at this moment, the conversion of a rich man.  Indeed it seems that true repentance is difficult thing to do for people of substance, for they have more to lose from their perspective.  But if the Gospel should penetrate even the hardest of hearts, say the self-confident, even they would understand the confidence gained from their riches will melt away either in final judgment or simply by the nature of this world.  Either way, Zacchaeus is example to those of substance can come to a true repentance.  One should make due to note the manner of how Zacchaeus repents, “half of my good I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”  His repentance was shown, not merely in a statement or some piously worded prayer, but in action, “works meet for repentance” as John the Baptist did say.   Faith and repentance prompts a similar reaction, and this action is a humbling, a movement towards God and righteousness.

It is also fitting that Zacchaeus’ conversion should be recorded here after the previous episodes of  18:9-14,15-17, 18-30, 35-43, each one dealing with individuals who are confronted with the offer of salvation.  Each case study might be considered an outcast, undeserving of God’s blessing.  These are folks who in the eyes of the mainstream, are farthest from the grace of God.  Jesus response to Zacchaeus’ repentant remarks are in v10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  So we can understand Zacchaeus’ episode functioning as a summary for the previous passages. Because of Jesus, anyone can be saved.

Parable of Ten Servants (11-27) …