Luke Chapter 19
The love that Jesus has for all people is clearly seen in the account of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a Jew, he was supposed to be one of them, but he was hated as if an outsider because he was a tax collector. He was dishonest and he exacted more tax on his fellow man than what was the normal taxation. He became a very rich man by extortion.
Zacchaeus was intrigued by Jesus and wanted to make sure he was able to get a good glimpse of Him as He passed by on His way to Jerusalem. So, he climbed up in a tree where Jesus not only stopped and spoke to him, but He invited Himself to his house. This was incredible to Zacchaeus. No one had ever wanted to associate with him before.
Let's Reflect
1. Immediately upon meeting and talking with Jesus the man’s heart attitude changed. What did he tell Jesus would change?
2. Jesus sought out this man to spend time with him. He was hated by all his fellow citizens for the way he had treated them. He had probably been ridiculed and heard the people say that he wasn’t even a Jew because of the way he treated his fellow man. From what lineage did Jesus announce that Zacchaeus was from? Jesus saw the man that Zacchaeus wanted to be, and he offered him the way. He offered him forgiveness and mercy and Zacchaeus took it.
3. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told another parable to the people. What was the reason he told this parable, what did the people think Jesus would do?
4. In this parable Jesus is explaining that the master will go away for a period of time, and it is expected that those who are His servants will make good use of the time until he returns. If we understand that Jesus is the master who is going away and when He returns, what words do we want Him to say to us? See verse 17.
5. What type of animal did Jesus ride on for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem?
6. While their timing was off, the people were correct in what they shouted that day. What did the Jewish people shout out as Jesus rode by them?
7. The Pharisees thought it blatant blasphemy that this teacher was allowing the people to call out that He was the long-awaited Messiah that had been prophesied in the Old Testament. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees asking Jesus to squelch the shouts of the people?
8. Jesus who is God of the universe looked at Jerusalem and saw the future of the city and what would happen to it. The Bible says He wept. What did Jesus see coming in the future for the city of Jerusalem?
Devotionals
