1. Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)
19He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
3. An Interpretation by John Wesley (Yes, that John Wesley): http://www.ccel.org/ccel/
1. He passed through Jericho - So that Zaccheus must have lived near the end of the town: the tree was in the town itself. And he was rich - These words seem to refer to the discourse in the last chapter, ver. 24, particularly to ver. 27. Zaccheus is a proof, that it is possible by the power of God for even a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
2. The chief of the publicans - What we would term, commissioner of the customs. A very honourable as well as profitable place.
4. And running before - With great earnestness. He climbed up - Notwithstanding his quality: desire conquering honour and shame.
5. Jesus said, Zaccheus, make haste and come down - What a strange mixture of passions must Zaccheus have now felt, hearing one speak, as knowing both his name and his heart!
7. They all murmured - All who were near: though most of them rather out of surprise than indignation.
8. And Zaccheus stood - Showing by his posture, his deliberate, purpose and ready mind, and said, Behold, Lord, I give - I determine to do it immediately.
9. He also is a son of Abraham - A Jew born, and as such has a right to the first offer of salvation.
10. Matt. xviii, 11.
It seems as if he had his small bit of faith confirmed when Jesus said his name. Wow, what joy that must have been! I think many people would love that confirmation of their faith.
ReplyDelete