March 4, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 15 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.77 through 4.79 (pages 131-133)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
I just finished reading all the readings through 4.79. I am so happy that we have been blessed with this book as it gave me such clarity in the life and teachings of Christ. It is a true beacon of light and hope in showing me how to be a better Christian. Pastor Peter’s sermon reinforced these principles and truths today as well.
Lenten 15
Loved reading all comments. Thank you
Came to save the sinners and the lost! I am overwhelmed with gratefulness!
God has blessed us with gifts and talent that we have that can be used to honor Jesus. How many do we have that we have never tapped into! Either you do not know you have or know and do not use! Pray for God to show you your talents and gifts and start blessing others! Give 100% of those gifts and talents to honor God!
4.77 Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10)
I bet not everyone grumbled when they saw Jesus go into the house of Zacchaeus…I bet many people suddenly had hope. And we see the miraculous occur here…the heart of Zacchaeus changed and repentance flowing forth. He addresses Jesus as “Lord” and dedicated himself to a life of generosity and amends for the wrongs he has committed. And verse 10…what glorious words…”For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
4.78 The Story About the Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-28) A lot in here…this parable uses things that actually happened (kings going away to receive their kingdoms…one of my study bibles indicates that this was exactly what happened with Herod’s son, Archelaus, and that a contingent of Jews went after him to protest and ask Rome not to give him the kingdom of Judea…which they did anyway, and which ultimately was so bad the Romans deposed him and installed governors…the fifth of which was Pontius Pilate. Interesting stuff). The return of the king picture’s Christ’s return to earth in the fullness of His kingdom, and His teachings here are striking, particularly to the unfaithful servant and the king’s enemies.
4.79 The Leading Priest Plan to Kill Lazarus Too (John 11:55-12:1, 9-11) The hardness of heart is astounding…but not surprising, given our human condition. It brings us back to the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus…where Abraham tells the rich man that if the people won’t believe the Word spoken by Moses and the Prophets…they won’t even believe a man raised from the dead.
Lenten day 15
The Life of Jesus 4.77-4.79
The Life of Jesus 4.77-4.79.
The 10 servants is a good example of trust I think, building trust with God spiritually between the lines. How good of stewards we are with our faith but in this context money is used. So Jesus summarizes it at the end saying people who will use what they have will get more and those that do not will have everything or more taken from them. Kind of a lot to digest there but a unique parable.
Zacchaeus. Jewish turncoat. Collecting taxes for the Roman’s Despise I’m sure. The effect Jesus has on him. Not only a change of heart but a change in his actions. The ten servants. Gods anger towards a man with Godly gifts but not used for selfish reasons. To kill Jesus and Lazarus also. Pile up their sins. Have to get rid of all witnesses. How their hearts had become so callous
Zacchaeus as I brought up on day 12 was one of the two tax collectors that believed in Jesus. The other being Matthew. Zacchaeus was not only rich but he was the chief publican. {KJV} He wanted to see who Jesus was and ended up becoming a believer along with his family. There was a heart change for before he was greedy for money and then he wanted to give half of his money to the poor. There is even a hint that he may had cheated people of their money. There may have been other tax collectors that came to Christ but we don`t know their names. Many of the people that came to become believers in the Bible we don`t know what they did for a living including some of the 12. People were critical of Jesus for eating at Zacchaeus house and saying that Jesus can`t be a good person because of this. It was probably the Pharisees and teachers with their self righteous attitudes that were saying this. Even though Jesus had already ate with Pharisees. But there could have others that said this for they were being taught by these self righteous Pharisees, Priests, and teachers. The most important lesson that we learn here is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He wants all people to come to Him for we are all sinners. But only those who see that they are sinners can come to Him. Unless a self righteous person sees their need for Christ and comes Him in faith alone, he cannot be saved. For he cannot earn his own salvation by anything that he does or trying to be the best person in character. It is also not by the family that you are born into. But each person must come to his own decision on whether to accept Christ or reject Him. The biggest decision anyone will make in their life. John 1: 12,13 As far as the story of the ten servants Jesus was talking about money and how we should be good stewards of the money He has entrusted to us. Are we using it wisely or just keeping it to ourselves. It is after all His money. But I think we can apply the principle of being faithful to other areas of our lives. Are we giving what we have in possessions to help those in need? Are we giving up some important time to help a fellow believer? Maybe using talents and abilities that God has given to us. Maybe using the spiritual gift that God has given us. Are we telling people about Jesus? Are we seeing a need and acting on it? This is how the church { us} should be and not just seeing each other on Sundays. But I am afraid that we get involved in our own world and don`t see the need around us. Sorry I may have over stepped but I thought we should be reminded of how Jesus wants us to be in the body as we follow Him. And I also am including myself in all of this. God bless.
Great word, Dennis, and you have not overstepped…we are called to exhort one another daily, and that is what you are doing…I thank you for it! (Hebrews 3:13)
In many of these parables, Jesus contradicts the cultural expectations.
With the sons of Zebedee – Gods kingdom is not about striving for power.
With Zaccheus, Gods kingdom is not about punishment, but desiring repentance and striving for righteousness.
With the parable of the minas, Gods kingdom is not about equity (or fairness, or materialism), but about faithfulness and wisdom.
Every time I read the story of Zacchaeus I can’t help but think of the song we would sing in Sunday school about him. What a stir Jesus had made in Palestine for even a tax collector to be curious about who He was and what He might do. And it must have been something to hear Jesus speak out his name when they had never met. I imagine that and Jesus’ love and “aura” of authority and righteousness caused conviction to come on Zach’s heart and bring transformation to his life. How significant the turn around was in his life. A clear sign that He was saved by His faith in Jesus…but what confirmation was found in the works he did. And we all should be glad that Jesus came to save sinners.
And the king in this parable is exacting in his requirements and his execution of justice. It is hard not to see the parallel to Jesus Himself being the rightful king but rejected by His subjects. And so when the king rewards those who bore fruit from the money he gave them and criticizes the one who played it safe, we can assume that God’s economy works in the same way. So we must balance the mercy we show the weak, with not validating irresponsibility or not seeing if they have capitalized on the gifts and talents that God has given everyone. And I wish those who associate only soft things that Jesus would say would read words like….now bring those who oppose me and I will watch them die…..
And how sad the Jewish leaders are to look to arrest Jesus and kill Lazarus because he provides such a clear witness to who Jesus is. How blind they are to their pride and willful neglect of the truth.
Same here, Pastor…instantly “wee little man” came bouncing into my brain! However, as you said…I don’t seem to have Sunday school memories of “bring those who oppose me and I will watch them die.” Great comments, thank you.
Imagine the feeling Zacchaeus had to hear his name called and to be asked to host Jesus. So exciting and yet that has happened for each of us! While we were sinners Christ died for us, He called our names, and made a home in our hearts! Our reaction to turn away from sin and walk according to God’s will for us like Zacchaeus is the obvious result of such an overwhelming act!
And like those trusted with the king’s money, we are trusted with the gifts, talents, and abilities God gives us. Stewards of the blessings He has allowed us to have and what are we doing with those things? Are we using those to bring Him glory and to fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives? This parable shows us that we certainly should be!
Lenten 2024 Day 15
God does not want us to sit on the sidelines and do nothing with the talents he gave us. We are expected to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to advance God’s kingdom. When we do this, our lives are more dynamic, vibrant and purposeful. “Get your back up off the wall, we gotta live a little!” – Toby Mac song – Hey Now