Lucas 19
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 19
Cole - In light of the public hatred of tax collectors, it is significant that every time they are mentioned in Luke, it is in a favorable light (Lu 3:12; Lu 5:27; Lu 7:29; Lu 15:1; Lu 18:10; Lu 19:2). In fact, Jesus picked one (Levi, or Matthew) as one of His twelve apostles! This shows Jesus’ heart for sinners and the transforming power of His saving grace. (Luke 19:1-10 Why Jesus Came) As J R Miller says "The luxurious and worldly comforts which money brings, are a paltry compensation for the hatred and contempt of one's neighbors, and a lack of respect in one's community... The exposure of getting rich dishonestly, has left many names disgraced in our own days." (aka "Bernie Madoff!)." Henry
Lucas 19
Cole comments "On several other occasions, Jesus accepted the hospitality of others, but this is the only recorded instance where He invited Himself to someone’s house. He was going after Zaccheus personally. Jesus does not call the mass of humanity to Himself, hoping against hope that somehow, somewhere, someone will respond and come to Him. Rather, He calls individuals by name and His call is effectual—it powerfully accomplishes His purpose. He saw Matthew sitting in his tax office and said, “Follow Me.” He left everything behind and began following Jesus (Lu 5:27). He saw Peter and Andrew fishing and said, “Follow Me.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Shortly after, He saw James and John mending their nets and He called them. They also immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him (Mt 4:18-22). Have you had that experience, where the Spirit of God was dealing with your soul? Perhaps you were listening to a sermon and you felt that it was aimed directly at you. Jesus was calling you very personally and individually. Perhaps even now you can hear the Savior calling you by name and saying, “Follow Me.” Jesus Christ seeks the lost individually by name and calls them into a personal relationship with Himself." (Luke 19:1-10 Why Jesus Came) Jesus' request reminds me of His words in Revelation 3:20+ "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Zaccheus heard His voice and opened the door of not just his home but his heart! Can you imagine that evening with Jesus! Surely (in my opinion) we will be able to hear about this once in a lifetime experience from Zaccheus himself in eternity future! J R Miller - Jesus called him. He knew his name. Wherever you are, Jesus knows you are there, and knows your name. He knows also what is in your heart--He sees the desire there. He called Zacchaeus by name. Bible invitations rain down on the earth for everybody; yet when one touches your ear and heart--you hear your own name spoken with it and know that you are personally called. Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down from the tree. He wanted to meet him. He is always calling people to come down, to get nearer to Him. It is a lowly place where Jesus stands to receive sinners, a place of self-abasement, of penitence. Zacchaeus was bidden to come down in haste. There is always haste in Christ's calls. Butler summarizes the character of the call - This call was such a blessing to Zaccheus. (1) First, a gracious call. "When Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him [Zaccheus]." (Luke 19:5). This was all of grace. There was no merit whatever in Zaccheus for Christ to save him. He was a sinner worthy of condemnation. But all calls to salvation are gracious, for none deserve it. (2) Second, an urgent call. "Make haste and come down" (Luke 19:5). The Gospel is always urgent. Salvation is needed now. Delay can led to eternal disaster. (3) Third, a humbling call. "Come down" (Luke 19:5). True, this command referred to Zaccheus' perch in a tree. But it was symbolic of the humbleness that the call would entail. Salvation is humbling. It requires the person to acknowledge that he is a sinner and that Jesus is Lord. (4) Fourth, a personal call. "Zaccheus... I must abide at thy house" (Luke 19:5). Salvation is personal. We are not saved by proxy. Baptism for the dead is a fraud. To be saved you must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. (Analytical Bible Expositor - Luke) Related Resources What is the effectual calling/call? | GotQuestions.org Luke 19:5 Effectual Calling - C.H. Spurgeon Looked (308)(anablepo from ana = up, again + blepo = to look, to perceive and so discern) means to look up or direct one's vision upward (Of Jesus "looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food," = Mt 14:19; Mk 6:41,Lk 9:16; Of Jesus "and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh" = Mk 7:34, Of man who regained his sight "he looked up and said, “I see men..." = Mk 8:24; "at that very time I looked up at him" = Acts 22:13) To regain one's sight or recover from blindness and thus see again ("the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT" = Mt 11:5; "“Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” = Mk 10:51; "so that he might regain his sight" = Acts 9:12, 17,18). Of one born blind anablepo means to gain sight, become able to see, receive sight (" I went away and washed, and I received sight.” = Jn 9:11, 15, 18). Gilbrant - Three basic uses of anablepō are found among classical writers: “to look up,” “to see again, regain sight,” and metaphorically “to revive.” “Looking up” is particularly a mark of confidence (Liddell-Scott). (Complete Biblical Library) NIDNTT (page 608) - CL & OT The two uses of the word go far back into cl. times, recovery of sight being so described as early as Herodotus (2, 111). In the LXX it almost always means simply to look up, but Isa. 42:18 has the other sense, “Look [anablepsate], you blind, that you may see [idein].” Moulton-Milligan cite two occurrences in an inscription from the temple of Asclepius (p. 30). New Testament - The simple meaning, look up, is found in several passages (e.g. Mk. 16:4; Lk. 19:5; 21:1). Jesus looked up to → heaven when giving thanks for the → bread to be multiplied for the crowd (Matt. 14:19; Mk. 6:41; Lk. 9:16) and when healing the → deaf man in Mk. 7:34. The man whose vision was restored by a double touch of Jesus looked up after the first touch (Mk. 8:24). anablepō means to see again in Jesus’ message to John the Baptist about his messianic works (Matt. 11:5; Lk. 7:22; cf. also Mk. 10:51, 52; Lk. 18:41). In Acts 9:12, 17, 18 it refers to the restoration of Saul of Tarsus’ vision. The later report of this in Acts 22:13 uses the same word, but its meaning in the following verse seems to be altered from see to look up by the additional words eis auton (“at him”). Ancient copyists sensed the problem and in order to allow retention of the meaning “see again” omitted eis auton. Jn. 9:11, 15, 18 describes the healing of the man born blind by using anablepō, although obviously the prefix ana- cannot mean “again” here, as the man had never seen. John also describes the miracle as the “opening” of his eyes (vv. 10, 14, 17, 21, 26, 30, 32). (Walter Liefeld) Anablepo - 25x in 23v - looked(4), looking(5), receive...sight(2), receive sight(2), received...sight(2), received sight(2), regain his sight(1), regain...sight(3), regained...sight(4). Matt. 11:5; Matt. 14:19; Matt. 20:34; Mk. 6:41; Mk. 7:34; Mk. 8:24; Mk. 10:51; Mk. 10:52; Mk. 16:4; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 9:16; Lk. 18:41; Lk. 18:42; Lk. 18:43; Lk. 19:5; Lk. 21:1; Jn. 9:11; Jn. 9:15; Jn. 9:18; Acts 9:12; Acts 9:17; Acts 9:18; Acts 22:13 Anablepo - 35x in 34v in the Septuagint - Most are translations of a form of nāsâ’, “to lift, be exalted.” Normally this concerns merely “raising one’s eyes” to look at something (e.g., Ge 13:14; 18:2; Ex 14:10; Dt 3:27). “Looking into heaven,” however, can indicate “considering God” (Isa 8:21), for God is the Creator of the heavens and stars (Ge 15:5; Isa 40:26) Gen. 13:14; Gen. 15:5; Gen. 18:2; Gen. 22:4; Gen. 22:13; Gen. 24:63; Gen. 24:64; Gen. 31:12; Gen. 32:1; Gen. 33:1; Gen. 33:5; Gen. 37:25; Gen. 43:29; Exod. 14:10; Deut. 3:27; Deut. 4:19; Jos. 5:13; Jdg. 19:17; 1 Sam. 14:27; Job 22:26; Job 35:5; Isa. 8:21; Isa. 40:26; Isa. 42:18; Ezek. 8:5; Dan. 8:3; Joel 1:20; Zech. 5:5 Hurry (make haste) 4692) speudo means to do something quickly, to be in a hurry, hasten, make haste (Acts 22:16). To cause something to happen soon or come into being by exercising special effort (2 Peter 3:12-note) BDAG adds that speudo meant "to be very interested in discharging an obligation, be zealous, exert oneself, be industrious, in the Greco-Roman world a mark of civic excellence." Friberg on speudo - (1) intransitively, as doing something as quickly as possibly hurry, make haste, hasten (Act 22:18); participle as an adverb hastily, quickly (Lk 2:16); (2) transitively urge on, be eager for, cause to happen soon (2Pe 3:12) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Speudo - 6v - hastening(1), hurried(1), hurry(2), hurrying(1), make haste(1). Lk. 2:16; Lk. 19:5; Lk. 19:6; Acts 20:16; Acts 22:18; 2 Pet. 3:12 Come down (descend)(2597) katabaino from kata = down + baino = go, step) literally means to step down and so to move down or descend. Come down, go down, climb down (Mt 8:1; Mk 1:10; 9:9; 15:30, 32; Lk 19:5f; Acts 25:7; Jn 2:12; 4:47, 49, 51; Ro 10:7; Eph 4:10; James 1:17; Rev 12:12). Get out Mt 14:29. Fall 7:25, 27. Fig. be brought down Mt 11:23. The opposite of katabaino is anabaino to ascend, come up and both are used in Mt 3:16 when "Jesus came up immediately from the water" and "the Spirit of God descending (coming down) as a dove and lighting on Him." Friberg - (1) literally; (a) of persons come down, go down, climb down, descend (Mt 27.40); from a boat get out, disembark ( Mt 14.29); (b) of things come down (Acts 10.11); of a storm come down, descend on (Lk 8.23); of a fire fall down, come down (Lk 9.54); of a road lead down, go down (Acts 8.26); (2) figuratively, of a ruinous downfall fall; passive be brought down ( Mt 11.23) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Must (1163) (dei from deo = to bind) refers to what is not optional but needful (binding) out of intrinsic necessity. Dei refers to inward constraint regarding that which is under necessity of happening. Gingrich - it is necessary, one must or has to Mt 17:10; Mk 14:31; Lk 2:49; Ac 9:6; 1 Cor 11:19; one ought or should Mt 18:33; Lk 18:1; Ac 5:29; 2Ti 2:6, 24. deon neut. ptc. what one should deon evtin = dei Ac 19:36; ei deon if it must be 1 Pet 1:6. The impf. e;dei had to Lk 15:32; Jn 4:4; should have, ought to have Mt 18:33; Ac 27:21; 2 Cor 2:3. Friberg - an impersonal verb from deo (bind); (1) as expressing compulsion, necessity, or inevitability in an event it is necessary, one must, one has to (Mt 17.10); (2) as expressing the will of God or law it is necessary or binding ( Lk 13.14); (3) of the compulsion of duty one ought, one should, one has to, one must (Acts 5.29, 1Jn 2:6); (4) of the compulsion of valid expectation or what is fitting it is proper, it must be, it is right (2Ti 2.6); (5) imperfect edei, of something needful that was left undone should have, ought to have (Mt 18.33) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Dei - 97verse - due(1), had(7), have(2), must(56), necessary(4), needed(1), ought(17), ought to(1), should(9).Matt. 16:21; Matt. 17:10; Matt. 18:33; Matt. 23:23; Matt. 24:6; Matt. 25:27; Matt. 26:35; Matt. 26:54; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 9:11; Mk. 13:7; Mk. 13:10; Mk. 13:14; Lk. 2:49; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 9:22; Lk. 11:42; Lk. 12:12; Lk. 13:14; Lk. 13:16; Lk. 13:33; Lk. 15:32; Lk. 17:25; Lk. 18:1; Lk. 19:5; Lk. 21:9; Lk. 22:7; Lk. 22:37; Lk. 24:7; Lk. 24:26; Lk. 24:44; Jn. 3:7; Jn. 3:14; Jn. 3:30; Jn. 4:4; Jn. 4:20; Jn. 4:24; Jn. 9:4; Jn. 10:16; Jn. 12:34; Jn. 20:9; Acts 1:16; Acts 1:21; Acts 3:21; Acts 4:12; Acts 5:29; Acts 9:6; Acts 9:16; Acts 14:22; Acts 15:5; Acts 16:30; Acts 17:3; Acts 19:21; Acts 20:35; Acts 23:11; Acts 24:19; Acts 25:10; Acts 25:24; Acts 26:9; Acts 27:21; Acts 27:24; Acts 27:26; Rom. 1:27; Rom. 8:26; Rom. 12:3; 1 Co. 8:2; 1 Co. 11:19; 1 Co. 15:25; 1 Co. 15:53; 2 Co. 2:3; 2 Co. 5:10; 2 Co. 11:30; 2 Co. 12:1; Eph. 6:20; Col. 4:4; Col. 4:6; 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Thess. 3:7; 1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:6; 2 Tim. 2:24; Tit. 1:7; Tit. 1:11; Heb. 2:1; Heb. 9:26; Heb. 11:6; 2 Pet. 3:11; Rev. 1:1; Rev. 4:1; Rev. 10:11; Rev. 11:5; Rev. 13:10; Rev. 17:10; Rev. 20:3; Rev. 22:6 Stay (3306) meno in simple terms means to remain in the same place or position over a period of time. It means to reside, stay, live, lodge, tarry or dwell. Menō describes something that remains where it is, continues in a fixed state, or endures. Meno can mean "to take up permanent residence" or "to make yourself at home." Meno is the root of the Greek noun mone which means mansion or habitation (Jn 14:2, 23). Meno in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:56; Lk. 8:27; Lk. 9:4; Lk. 10:7; Lk. 19:5; Lk. 24:29; Acts 5:4; Acts 9:43; Acts 16:15; Acts 18:3; Acts 18:20; Acts 20:5; Acts 20:23; Acts 21:7; Acts 21:8; Acts 27:31; Acts 27:41; Acts 28:16 Called By Name Read: Luke 19:1-10 [Jesus] looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” —Luke 19:5 At the beginning of the academic year, a school principal in our city pledged to learn the names of all 600 students in her school. Anyone who doubted her ability or resolve could look at her track record. During the previous year she had learned the names of 700 students, and prior to that, 400 children in a different school. Think of what it must have meant to these students to be recognized and greeted by name. The story of Zacchaeus and Jesus (Luke 19:1-10) contains a surprising element of personal recognition. As Jesus passed through the city of Jericho, a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Him. “When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house’” (v.5). Instead of ignoring Zacchaeus or saying “Hey, you in the tree,” Jesus called him by name. From that moment on, his life began to change. When it seems that no one knows you or cares who you are, remember Jesus. He knows us by name and longs for us to know Him in a personal way. Our Father in heaven sees us through His eyes of love and cares about every detail of our lives. Father, thank You that my value in Your eyes is not determined by what I do but simply by the fact that You created me. Help me to recognize that same value in others as I represent You to the world. Jesus knows you by name and longs for you to know Him. He Knows Your Name Read: Luke 19:1-10 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. —Psalm 139:1 What did they call Zacchaeus in his hometown of Jericho? Most folks recognized him as the chief tax collector. The Romans may have identified him with a number. He was merely one cog in the huge machine that brought revenues pouring into Rome. Zealots in Israel spoke of him as a traitor because he had sold out to the enemy. Others in the community may have called him names behind his back. Yet Jesus, when He passed through the village, called Zacchaeus by his name. Looking up into the leafy tree where the little man was perched, Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Lk. 19:5). Although the two men had never met, Jesus called him by name. Hearing our own name spoken means that we are known. When Zacchaeus heard Jesus speak his name, it had a dramatic impact on him. It led to such a remarkable transformation that he promised to give half of his goods to the poor and to make restitution to those he had cheated (v.8). God knows you intimately. He is keenly interested in your life. How you respond to Him will determine what you live for on this earth. It will also determine where you will spend eternity. It’s your call. 'Tis not that I did choose Thee, For, Lord, that could not be; This heart would still refuse Thee— But Thou hast chosen me. —Conder The Creator knows you well; do you know Him at all? Rabbit-Hole Christians Read: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus . . . said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." —Luke 19:5 Rabbits are timid creatures that pop out of their holes every morning, try to avoid everything (except other rabbits), eat their food, and jump back into their holes in the evening. “Whew! We made it through another day,” they’d say if they could talk. Rabbit-hole Christians are a lot like that. They eat lunch with other Christians at work and relate almost exclusively with fellow-believers in their church. They avoid socializing with unbelievers and wouldn’t think of accepting an invitation to one of their parties. No wonder unbelievers equate being a Christian with a kind of aloof self-righteousness. No one could say that about Jesus. He actually invited Himself to the home of Zacchaeus, a notorious tax collector. His congeniality among disreputable people earned Him the title of “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). He reached out to such people because He knew He couldn’t help them without becoming their friend. Jesus never said anything He shouldn’t have said, nor did He laugh at off-color stories. He won people’s respect by caring for them. Jesus has equipped us with the Holy Spirit and assured us that He’ll be with us so we can follow His example. Let’s guard against being rabbit-hole Christians. Help us, O Lord, to live our lives So people clearly see Reflections of Your caring heart, Your love and purity. —Sper Jesus leaves us in the world to be a witness to the world. Come Sit a Spell Read: Luke 19:1–9 Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. Luke 19:5 When I was a kid, our family made a monthly excursion from Ohio to West Virginia to visit my maternal grandparents. Every time we arrived at the door of their farmhouse, Grandma Lester would greet us with the words, “Come on in and sit a spell.” It was her way of telling us to make ourselves comfortable, stay a while, and share in some “catching-up” conversation. Life can get pretty busy. In our action-oriented world, it’s hard to get to know people. It’s tough to find time to ask someone to “sit a spell” with us. We can get more done if we text each other and get right to the point. Get to know someone to make a difference in their life. But look at what Jesus did when He wanted to make a difference in the life of a tax collector. He went to Zacchaeus’s house to “sit a spell.” His words, “I must stay at your house” indicate that this was no quick stopover (Luke 19:5). Jesus spent time with him, and Zacchaeus’s life was turned around because of this time with Jesus. On the front porch of my grandmother’s house were several chairs—a warm invitation to all visitors to relax and talk. If we’re going to get to know someone and to make a difference in their life—as Jesus did for Zacchaeus—we need to invite them to “come sit a spell.” Dear Lord, as I look around at those who share this life with me, help me to make time to spend with them—for encouragement, challenge, and perhaps just plain conversation. The best gift you can give to others may be your time. By Dave Branon | Luke 19:6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. And he hurried and came down: Lu 2:16 Ge 18:6,7 Ps 119:59,60 Ga 1:15,16 received Him gladly: Lu 5:29 Isa 64:5 Ac 2:41 16:15,34 Luke 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 19:1-10 Why Jesus Came - Steven Cole Luke 19:1-10 A Sinner Meets a Seeking Savior, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 19:1-10 A Sinner Meets a Seeking Savior, Part 2 - John MacArthur Luke 19:1-10 Jesus: The Seeking Savior, Part 2 - John MacArthur ZACCHEUS RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY RECEIVING JESUS AND JOY And he hurried and came down - Zaccheus' alacrity is a vivid picture of his genuine desire to meet Jesus. No hesitation. No debating. No procrastinating. Zaccheus is a man in motion on a mission for in Lk 19:4 we saw him running and here we see him hurrying! In consenting to Jesus' request to come down he shows a submissive spirit. Notice also that when Jesus called, it was as if the "Red Sea" opened, for this time Zaccheus had no difficulty getting through the crowd (except for their murmuring)! J R Miller - He did not hesitate an instant. If he had done so--he would have lost his opportunity, for Jesus was only passing through, and soon would have been out of sight. A moment's lingering and indecision, and He would have been gone, and Zacchaeus would have been left unblessed. That is the way thousands of people respond, who hear Christ's call. They defer obeying, and then the opportunity is soon passed. Hurried (made haste, quickly)(4692)(speudo) means to do something quickly or in a hurry, hasten, make haste. The picture is of quick movement in the interests of a person or cause, usually reflecting eagerness, and a strong desire in carrying out of a matter. This definition perfectly describes Zaccheus' heart attitude. Steven Cole comments "It’s not easy to hurry down out of a tree, but Jesus told him to hurry! And, Zaccheus “hurried and came down” (Lu 19:6). I don’t know if he jumped or whether he scratched himself on the branches as he climbed down. But he didn’t waste any time.Neither should you! The Bible says, “Now is the day of salvation” (2Co 6:2). It says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Heb 4:7). You may not have tomorrow. If you put off responding to Christ’s call, you may be in hell tomorrow. Even if you get scratched up, hurry down from that tree! Received Him gladly - To where? His home? Certainly true! But what about his heart? Certainly likely considering subsequent events (see the discussion of the root verb dechomai below).It recalls to mind John 1:12-13 ("received" here is lambano) - "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." I like the literal reading that Zaccheus "received Him rejoicing" where rejoicing is in the present tense indicating Zaccheus was continually rejoicing! As Cole says "when the reality of God’s grace floods your soul, great joy will be your response." Contrast Zaccheus' joy with the rich young ruler's sadness (Lk 18:23+). Zaccheus' reaction is more like that of the blind beggar Bartimaeus who when he "regained his sight...began following Him, glorifying (praising) God (Lk 18:43).
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Cole adds that "Son of Man emphasizes that Jesus was in every way human, except for our sin. He used it with increasing frequency as He anticipated the cross. Thus, “Its meaning for Him was inextricably bound up with His work of redemption” (D. Guthrie, Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible [Zondervan], 3:568). But the title also affirms the full deity of our Lord. Jesus used it when referring to the fact that He existed in heaven before descending to earth and that He would again ascend into heaven (Jn 3:13; Jo 6:62). He used it to assert that the Father had given Him all authority to execute judgment (Jn 5:27). He said that as the Son of Man He had authority on earth to forgive sins (Lu 5:20-24). He used it often in reference to His second coming in power and glory (Lu 17:22-30; Lu 18:8; Lu 21:36; Mt 24:30; Mat 25:31). In fact, at His trial the high priest adjured Him by the living God to tell them whether He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of glory.” He was quoting from Da 7:13, Da 7:14 and applying it to Himself. At this the priest accused Him of blasphemy. If Jesus did not mean that as the Son of Man, He is God, surely He would have corrected the priest’s mistaken impression and absolved Himself of the charge. By letting it stand, Jesus affirmed that they were correct: the Son of Man is the Son of God, one with the Father. Son of Man - Matt. 8:20; Matt. 9:6; Matt. 10:23; Matt. 11:19; Matt. 12:8; Matt. 12:32; Matt. 12:40; Matt. 13:37; Matt. 13:41; Matt. 16:13; Matt. 16:27; Matt. 16:28; Matt. 17:9; Matt. 17:12; Matt. 17:22; Matt. 18:11; Matt. 19:28; Matt. 20:18; Matt. 20:28; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 24:30; Matt. 24:37; Matt. 24:39; Matt. 24:44; Matt. 25:31; Matt. 26:2; Matt. 26:24; Matt. 26:45; Matt. 26:64; Mk. 2:10; Mk. 2:28; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 8:38; Mk. 9:9; Mk. 9:12; Mk. 9:31; Mk. 10:33; Mk. 10:45; Mk. 13:26; Mk. 14:21; Mk. 14:41; Mk. 14:62; Lk. 5:24; Lk. 6:5; Lk. 6:22; Lk. 7:34; Lk. 9:22; Lk. 9:26; Lk. 9:44; Lk. 9:56; Lk. 9:58; Lk. 11:30; Lk. 12:8; Lk. 12:10; Lk. 12:40; Lk. 17:22; Lk. 17:24; Lk. 17:26; Lk. 17:30; Lk. 18:8; Lk. 18:31; Lk. 19:10; Lk. 21:27; Lk. 21:36; Lk. 22:22; Lk. 22:48; Lk. 22:69; Lk. 24:7; Jn. 1:51; Jn. 3:13; Jn. 3:14; Jn. 5:27; Jn. 6:27; Jn. 6:53; Jn. 6:62; Jn. 8:28; Jn. 9:35; Jn. 12:23; Jn. 12:34; Jn. 13:31; Acts 7:56; Heb. 2:6; Rev. 1:13; Rev. 14:14 Related Resources: What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of Man? What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? What does it mean that Jesus is the son of David? What does it mean that Jesus is God's only begotten son? Has come - This speaks of His condescension in His incarnation (Php 2:6-9+).
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Cole comments "You may be thinking, “How do I know that Christ will save me in particular?” Do you see yourself as lost? Do you know that apart from God’s grace, you would justly spend eternity in hell? Do you recognize that if God left you to yourself, you would never seek Him or believe in Him? If so, then the good news is, “Christ Jesus came … to save sinners” (1Ti 1:15). He died for the ungodly (Ro 5:6). If the words, “lost,” “sinner,” “ungodly,” fit you, then you can have hope, because Christ came to save such people from their sins. But if you say, “I may have my faults, but I’m not lost,” then I cannot offer you a Savior. Jesus came to save the lost. If you say, “I’m only human, of course, but I’m not a sinner,” then Christ did not come to save you. He came into this world to save sinners. If you say, “I know that I have done plenty of wrong things, but I wouldn’t call myself ungodly,” then I’m afraid that Christ did not die for you. Scripture says that Christ died for the ungodly. Brian Bell - He is still the seeking Savior, but now he uses your eyes & lips!If we are to win souls we must seek them. The hunter knows his game will not come to the window of his house to be shot. The fisherman knows that the fish will not come swimming up to his house. No, they must go out & seek! - And so must you and I! George MacLeod - “I simply argue that the cross be raised again, at the centre of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles but on a cross between two thieves;on a town garbage heap; at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek …and at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. Because that is where He died, And that is what He died about. And that is where Christ’s own ought to be, And that is what church people ought to be about.” Brian Bill - Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally known for his television series Civilization, admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church he had an overwhelming religious experience. This is what he wrote: “My whole being was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had never known before.” But, as he described it, the “gloom of grace” created a problem for him. If he allowed himself to be influenced by his spiritual yearnings, he knew he would have to change and his family would think he had lost his mind. And so he concluded, “I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course.” As far as I know, he died without putting his faith in Christ. David
Lucas 19
Cole - Again, we must distinguish this parable from the parable of the talents, which teaches a different lesson. That parable shows that different servants have been given different abilities, and that the danger is for the person with relatively smaller ability to do nothing. This parable shows that every servant has been given the same gift and that the difference in results is not due to differing gifts, but to differing levels of diligence in using the gift.The fact that each of ten servants received a mina shows that it was not just the twelve apostles who were in view, but rather, God’s servants in general. Thus the parable is not directed just to those in leadership, but to all of Christ’s subjects. The fact that each was given the same amount shows that it is not referring to differing gifts, but to something that all followers of Christ share in common, namely, the Word of God and in particular, the central message of that Word, the gospel. We all have been given the same gospel and we are told to do business with it for our King during His absence. If you do not possess the gospel as your own, you are not a Christian, no matter how often you attend church. A Christian has heard the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners and has personally believed that good news as his own. In other words, a true Christian does not just believe in a general sense that Jesus is the Savior. He believes it in a personal sense, that Jesus is my Savior. He died for my sins. When I stand before God and He asks, “Why should I let you into heaven?” my only plea will be, “Because I have trusted in Your Son Jesus who shed His blood in my place on the cross.” If you have personally believed that message, then the Gospel has been entrusted to you. And it has not been entrusted to you just for you to treasure for yourself. (Doing Business for Jesus) Paul spoke of the Gospel with which he had been entrusted...Phil 3 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. (1 Th 2:4+) according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. (1 Ti 1:11+) We see a similar charge from Paul to Timothy regarding the Gospel which had been entrusted to him... O Timothy, Guard, (phulasso - like a military guard - aorist imperative - command conveys sense of urgency) what has been entrusted (paratheke = as something that has been entrusted to another for faithful keeping) to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” (1 Ti 6:20) Retain (present active imperative) the standard of sound words which you have heard from me (THE GOSPEL), in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, (phulasso - like a military guard - aorist imperative - command conveys sense of urgency) through the Holy Spirit (THE KEY TO GUARDING IS DEPENDING NOT ON OUR NATURAL POWER BUT THE SUPERNATURAL POWER PROVIDED BY THE SPIRIT) Who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted (paratheke) to you (THE GOSPEL). (2 Ti 1:13-14+) You therefore, my son, be strong (present active imperative) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses (THE GOSPEL), entrust (aorist imperative - command conveys sense of urgency) these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (NOTE 4 GROUPS IN THE CHAIN OF MAKING DISCIPLES - PAUL TO TIMOTHY TO FAITHFUL MEN TO OTHERS).(2 Ti 2:1-2+) You are writing a Gospel, A chapter each day, By the deeds that you do And the words that you say. Men read what you write, Whether faithful or true: Just what is the Gospel According to you? - Author unknown What is fascinating about the idea that the mina represents the Gospel, as we see below, is that the return on the Gospel "mina" is disproportionately high (10 cities, 5 cities). The principle this suggests is that the return on the Gospel "mina" is not related to our cleverness of presentation, but on the completeness of the power of the Gospel to accomplish God's purpose in another person's life. This is great news because it takes the "pressure" off of us feeling like we have to "perform" or make a perfect presentation. We can rest in the sure truth that the Gospel provides the power for disproportionate productivity! So what is our responsibility? Simply to give out this one Gospel "mina" to any and all those who God graciously brings into our path or sphere of influence and to leave the rest to His Spirit and the inherent power (dunamis) of the Gospel! It reminds me of an old advertising slogan used by the Greyhound Bus Company which said "Take the bus and leave the driving to us." Speak the Gospel and leave the results to God! And remember that faithful stewardship involves taking some calculated risks. Do business (pragmateuomai) with this until I come back- The KJV translation "Occupy till I come!" This translation reminds one of an army "occupying" enemy territory. We as the servants of Christ are to continue working as "aliens and strangers" (1 Pe 2:11) at our God ordained vocations giving out the Gospel message wherever God has placed us until our Captain of the LORD's host," (Joshua 5:15+), our Messiah, returns to establish His righteous rule over the whole earth. We work with diligence, we work in His Spirit's power, we work to please Him, we work with a longing and with desire for His return. And this Spirit enabled longing motivates our desire to redeem each day for His glory making the most of our opportunities to present the Gospel message and bring Him glory (Eph 5:16, Col 4:5). The time of our "occupation" is transient (Ps 39:14) so we do well to frequently beseech the Lord of the harvest to "teach us to number our days so that we may present to Him a heart of wisdom." (Ps 90:12). The idea of do business is to carry on business especially as a banker or trader. This is the opposite of being a "busybody." Instead, followers of Christ are to be busy for the Body (of Christ)! To be occupied with the task we have each been assigned. Paul reminds us "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (THESE ARE PRE-PLANNED AND PRE-PREPARED, SO TO SPEAK), which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph 2:10+) Do business is a command in aorist imperative = Do this now! Don't delay! (I realize this is a parable, but would still contend that the only way to "do business" is to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey). One might say Be pragmatic for indeed the only practical thing to do in light of the Lord's return is to be about the Father's business! The verb pragmateuomai gives us our English word "pragmatic." The related word pragmateia occurs in 2Ti 2:4 (affairs of everyday life). The servants of Christ are instructed herein to continue working at their vocations, without hesitation when they see (or think they might see) the day approaching. Do business is derived from root pragma which gives us our English word pragmatic which means dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical (in this context Biblical) rather than theoretical considerations. In the context the slaves are to be pragmatic in their handling of the nobleman's money. Note that with this is added by the translators but fits the context and so it begs the question "with what?" With the one mina each was given, which as discussed is most likely the Gospel message. Note the time sensitive word "until" which the English dictionary defines as something happening or done up to a particular point in time and then stopping. The idea is that in this context we each have been given a finite period to do business and it will be up to the point in time when the nobleman returns, when Jesus returns (or when we fall asleep and are absent from the body and present with the Lord). Then as they say on some game shows "Time's up!" Notice also that the conjunction "until" signifies that after a period of time, the nobleman is coming back, which indicates a time delay and thus calls for the slave to be patient and perservering in waiting for the master's return. In other words, Jesus' Second Coming (parousia) is certain! Hallelujah! Maranatha! 🙏 THOUGHT - Beloved, do not grow weary in doing business with the Gospel (AS MIGHT HAPPEN IF YOU SEE FEW IMMEDIATE POSITIVE RESPONSES - THIS CAN BE DISCOURAGING BUT NOTE PAUL'S PROMISE IN THIS PASSAGE) "for in due time (kairos) we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity (kairos)(Redeem the Time - your "ONE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!") let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Gal 6:9-10+) And just as important let us not become apathetic (showing little or no emotion or animation; not interested or enthusiastic about the Gospel and unwilling to make an effort to speak forth the Good News) or indifferent (marked by a lack of interest, showing no care or concern; uninterested) -- a delay in our Lord's return does not mean He will not return! That's the attitude of the Christ rejecting world as described by Peter who warns us "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts (THAT'S WHY THEY MOCK - THEY DON'T WANT TO THINK OF JESUS RETURNING TO JUDGE THEIR SINS! - cf 2 Ti 4:1+), and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation (WRONG!!! NOTICE HOW THEY ARE SELF-DECEIVED - TOTALLY IGNORING THE JUDGMENTS OF THE FLOOD AND SODOM AND GOMORRAH - THEY ABHOR THE THOUGHT OF JUDGMENT OF THEIR SINS!).”(2 Pe 3:3-4+). Slaves (1401)(doulos from deo = to bind) (Click additional notes on doulos) was an individual bound to another in servitude and conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with his master, belonging to him, obligated to and desiring to do his will and in a permanent relation of servitude. In sum, the will of the doulos is consumed in the will of the master. In this context doulos does not refer to a slave like one who was beaten refers to a trustworthy employee given high responsibility. The bondservant is one who is absolutely surrendered and totally devoted to his master. Mina (3414)(mna, mnah) is a feminine noun from the Latin word mina representing a Greek weight containing one hundred drachmas. It was a Greek coin of silver equal to a quarter of the Jewish shekel, and to the Roman denarius or dinar which was the average pay for a twelve–hour work day (Luke 15:8, 9 [cf. Mt. 20:2]). A mina is equal to about 100 days' wages (others say "three months" wages). Many translators (A.V., A.R.V., R.S.V., N.E.B., Weymouth, Jerusalem Bible, A. T. Robertson) call this mina a pound and giving us the name the "Parable of the Pounds." See Mina in Wikipedia. Mina in Classic Greek - The mina is a Greek monetary unit of fluctuating value often influenced by the rate of exchange a money changer would accept. As a sum of money it was generally accepted to equal 100 drachmas of Greek currency and approximately 50 shekels in Hebrew weight. At the time of Christ the Greek drachma was about the same value as the Roman denarius. Mina is larger than the Roman libra or pound in the proportion of four to three and is equivalent to about twelve ounces. In the NT, mná represented a silver coin, estimated by weight, containing one hundred drachmaí, and being itself the sixtieth part of a talent. Its value varied in different countries (Luke 19:13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25). The minas represent the equal opportunity of life itself; the talents, the different gifts God gives each individual. Mina - 9x in 6v - mina (4), minas (5). - Lk. 19:13,16,18,20,24-25 Mina - 5x in the Septuagint - 1 Ki. 10:17; Ezr. 2:69; Neh. 7:71-72; Ezek. 45:12 Do business (occupy, trade with it)(4231)(pragmateuomai from pragma = matter, business) is used only here and means to busy one's self with one's business especially as a banker or trader. Only found in Luke 19:13 (hapax legomenon) Bible Names of God - Our Lord is the Nobleman whose face was turned toward the land beyond the skies where He has gone and from whence He will one day return. "Occupy till I come" is His message. He has entrusted to us, as His servants, the most valuable treasure in Heaven, --- time, opportunity, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, a great world in which to transact the greatest of all business! Precious privileges are ours and a solemn accounting must be given. Lord, give us keenness of vision to see, and wisdom to utilize our opportunities in the investment of our lives for Thee. Amen. Rod Mattoon on "occupy" (do business) - The word "occupy" is formed from the Greek root word pragma {prag'-mah} which means "to stay busy, to carry on, to set in motion, to accomplish." The idea of this word involves producing good results through great effort and energy. It does not mean to float around or be casual at the task at hand. This word pragma forms our English word "pragmatic" which means "to be active, busy, and practical." The nobleman was commanding his servants to not only stay busy, but gave them what they needed to accomplish tasks while he was absent. He expected productivity. Someone said, "Postage stamps are getting more expensive, but at least they have one attribute that most of us could emulate: they stick to one thing until they get there." Beloved, this is the Lord's message to us! Occupy till I come. Stay busy and accomplish my will for your life! (Eph 2:10+) Serve me and finish the task I have for you! Stick to the task! "American history shall march along that skyline," announced Gutzon Borglum in 1924, gazing at the Black Hills of South Dakota. In 1927, Borglum began sculpting the images of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt on the granite face of the 6,000-foot Mount Rushmore (Making of Mount Rushmore). Most of the sculpting was done by experienced miners under Borglum's direction. Working with jackhammers and dynamite, they removed some 400,000 tons of outer rock, cutting within three inches of the final surface. When Borglum died in March, 1941, his dream of the world's biggest sculpture was near completion. His son Lincoln finished the work that October, some 14 years after it was begun. The task was completed. Beloved, the Lord is sculpting His image in our lives. His desire for us is that we be more like Christ each day. His image in us is chiseled by the hammer of the Holy Spirit, hurt and happiness; the steel of sorrow, suffering, and success; and the pounding of pressure, pain, and peace. His work in us is for a lifetime. (Ro 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The destiny of the Christian is to be "conformed" to the image of Christ and to be like Him. The word "conformed" means "to be similar or to have the same form as another." That is God's will for us. Until He returns or we die, we are to be like Him and yielded to His leading and also His chisel in our lives. We are to accomplish His will in reaching others. We are to "occupy" till He comes. Occupy Till He Comes..... Like a broken shoe or flat tire with a rusty nail, you may fail and flop at a task God leads you to do. Keep on trying. Don't quit! Occupy Till He Comes! Like a walnut that drops from the autumn limbs of its majestic tree, you may fall and falter in sinful mistakes. Get right with the Lord, get back up, and occupy till He comes. Like a feather that surfs on the breath of the wind, you may feel like floating through you Christian life and service for the Lord. Occupy Till He Comes! Like a bitter badger that barks and bites at an intruding bear, you may be furious, frustrated, and fed up with people who have belittled, burdened, or betrayed you. Occupy Till He Comes! Like a rickety bucket bled of its water from a tiny rift in its weakened walls, your finances may be fractured, drained or drastically depleted. Occupy Till He Comes! Like startled wild horses that flee through wilderness valleys from the cracks of thunder, you may want to flee from fear caused by danger or distressing circumstances. Occupy Till He Comes. Like a brilliant comet that soars all alone across the black expanse of star-filled heavens, you may be friendless or forsaken by others, and all alone as you let your light shine and serve the Lord. Don't quit! Don't give up! Occupy Till He Comes! Till He comes we are to occupy or stay busy. This word "till" reminds us that we will need to be patient at our task and not give up. Waiting is not easy, but that is what we are to do until He returns. The best thing to do while you wait is keep yourself occupied and work for the Lord. We are not to set dates about the return of Jesus, quit our jobs, sell all we have and wait for Jesus on top of some mountain. We are to stay busy serving Him and if we spiritually fall down, lose some spiritual battles in our lives, we need to get back up and go forward. • * If you are discouraged, get up! • * If you are defeated, get up! • * If you are doubting, get up! • * If you are depressed, get up! • * Get up! Get up! Get up! The story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent, but who never succeeded. One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter, but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was defeated. He would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner." Picking up on that idea, someone has said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are 'throwed,' but whether you are willing to stay 'throwed' and get back up after you have been down." We may face setbacks, but we must take courage, brush ourselves off, get back up and go forward in faith for Jesus Christ. Then, through the Holy Spirit's power we can be the eventual victor over sin and the world. The battle is the Lord's, so there is no excuse for us to stay "throwed" and flat on our back! Get back up and get in the battle for the Lord in winning the lost to Christ. Jesus said, "Occupy till I come!" The Lord has given to all of us a "pound." All Christians have been entrusted with the Gospel and are to stay busy sharing it and accomplishing the will of God in their lives. (Treasures from the Scriptures) ILLUSTRATION OF "until I come back" - After American troops were forced to surrender the Philippines in May, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur vowed to retake the islands, giving his famous “prophetic promise” “I WILL RETURN” which was printed on thousands of matchbooks, buttons, bars of soap and leaflets dropped by air all over the Philippines to encourage and give hope. MacArthur kept his promise! But even better the “Commander of the Lord’s army” (Josh 5:15NLT), Jesus our Messiah, made a similar “prophetic promise” to His disciples declaring “I go to prepare a place for you” and “I WILL COME AGAIN!” (Jn 14:3) As Hoekema rightly observes “The faith of the New Testament is dominated by this expectation.” Indeed, the NT has some 318 prophetic promises (direct and indirect) describing Messiah’s triumphant return as King of kings, and Lord of lords (Rev 19:11-16–+), which means that there is approximately one prophecy on the Second Coming in every 20 verses! In fact it has been estimated that for every prophecy of Messiah’s First Coming, there are eight describing His Second Coming! As the old Scottish preacher said “The doctrine of Messiah’s Second Coming, as it appears in the NT, is like a lofty mountain that dominates the entire landscape.” John Walvoord adds that Messiah’s Second Coming is also “implied in hundreds of OT prophecies” often mingling them with His first coming as in Isa 61:1-2a which was fulfilled at Messiah’s first coming (Lk 4:18-21+) and Isa 61:2b which describes “the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn” to be fulfilled at Messiah’s Second Coming. And so just as MacArthur’s promise on leaflets gave hope during the dark days of WWII, the prophecies of Messiah’s Second Coming “give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises” (Ro 15:4NLT–+). As this world grows darker and the promised return of Messiah grows brighter, we should continually be “looking (expectantly) for the BLESSED HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ (Messiah) Jesus.” (Titus 2:13–+) Paul called Messiah’s return ‘the Blessed Hope’ and as our world unravels morally and ethically, indeed He appears to be the only Hope for the world! And so it is interesting that the largest type used by newspapers for headlines of astounding events is called “SECOND COMING” type and is reserved for the most amazing front-page news (beginning or end of wars, moon landings, etc). (Greg Laurie's explains "Second coming type.") One day soon every eye “will see Him,” (Rev 1:7–+) the One for Whom “Second Coming” type was named! Messiah came first as the “Man of sorrows” (Isa 53:3), but will come again “with power and great glory” (Mt 24:30+) as Judge and King (2 Ti 4:1–+). Martin Luther well said, ‘I preach as though Messiah died yesterday, rose from the dead today and was coming back tomorrow.” How different our lives would be if we lived them in that spirit! As one has well said “Don’t complain about what this world is coming to. Proclaim the One Who is coming to this world.” Play Michael Card's Maranatha or Maranatha (by Maranatha Singers). May our cry today and everyday be Maranatha, Come King Jesus! Come and reign over Your World! Amen! And for the hope of His return, Dear Lord, Your Name we praise; With longing hearts we watch and wait; For that great day of days! (Sherwood) J R Miller - We are doing business in this world for Christ. Each one of us has something of His--a pound which He has entrusted to us--to trade with as His agent. Our life itself, with all its powers, its endowments, its opportunities, its privileges, its blessings, its possibilities--is 'our pound'. Our life is not our own. We are not in this world merely to have a good time for a few years. Life is a trust. We are not done with it either, when we have lived it through to its last day. We must render an account of it to Him who gave it to us. Our business is to gather gains, through our trading with our Lord's money. We are required to make the most that is possible of our life! The King Of Fruits Read: Luke 19:12-26 Present your bodies a living sacrifice, . . . which is your reasonable service. —Romans 12:1 The durian, a tropical fruit, is often called The King of Fruits. Either you love it or you hate it. Those who love it will do almost anything to get it. Those who hate it won’t get near it because of its pungent smell. My wife loves it. Recently, a friend, who was grateful for what my wife had done for her, sent her a box of the finest quality durians. She took great pains to ensure that they were the best. I asked myself, “If we can give the best to a friend, how can we do less for our Lord who gave His very life for us?” The nobleman in Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 wanted the best from 10 servants to whom he gave money, saying, “Do business till I come” (v.13). When he returned and asked for an account, he gave the same commendation “Well done!” to all those who had done what they could with the money entrusted to them. But he called “wicked” (v.22) the one who did nothing with his money. The primary meaning of this story is stewardship of what we’ve been given. To be faithful with what God has given to us is to give Him our best in return. As the master gave money to the servants in the parable, so God has given us gifts to serve Him. It is we who will lose out if we fail to give Him our best. Give of your best to the Master, Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service, Consecrate every part. —Grose We are at our best when we serve God by serving others. Get On With The Business! Read: Luke 19:11-27 Do business till I come. —Luke 19:13 In the days before Connecticut became a state, the colonial legislature was in session when a thick darkness blotted out the sunlight. The cry was heard, “It is the day of judgment! Let us go home and get ready!” But one member of the legislature, an old church deacon, stood up and said, “Brethren, it may be the day of judgment —I do not know. The Lord may come. But when He does, I want Him to find me at my post, doing my duty up to the very last moment. Mr. Speaker, I move that candles be brought in and that we get on with the business of the colony.” In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus told a parable of a nobleman who went into a far country. Before leaving, the man called 10 of his servants together, gave them each a coin worth about 3 months’ salary, and said, “Do business till I come.” Later he returned, and the servants had to give an account of what they had done with the money. At His ascension (Lk. 24:49-53), Jesus also “went into a far country” (19:12), and He could return at any moment. But until He does, our duty as His servants is to make the best use of our talents and our opportunities to serve Him. In view of our Savior’s promise to return, let’s keep at our post and “get on with the business!” The Lord has promised to return — But we don't know just when; So let's work hard until He comes, And He'll reward us then. —Sper A watching Christian will be a working Christian. Reporting For Duty Read: Luke 19:11-27 Do business till I come. —Luke 19:13 I have never met Mary Ruth, but I’ve received inspiring letters from her. She has known Christ as her Savior for 63 years, and she is investing her life in doing business for Him until He returns. Here is an excerpt from one of her letters: “Each night before I go to sleep, I say, ‘Good night, Lord Jesus. I love You. I’ll see You in the morning, either here or there (heaven).’ When I awake and see that I am still here, I say, ‘Good morning, Lord. I love You. I see we have another day together.’ Immediately I report for duty and ask Him to let me know, moment by moment, His plans for the day so we can ‘get with it’ together. I aim to help everyone I can to get ready to meet Him.” Mary Ruth then wrote about recent opportunities she and her brother had to witness to people from other countries, and she said that several had received Christ. “God reached Chinese, Vietnamese, Buddhists, and a Jew—all in 3 days, and I didn’t need a passport, visa, or plane ticket. God brought them to us, and all I had to do was report for duty.” The example of Mary Ruth and Jesus’ parable about the 10 servants in Luke 19 remind us that God is willing to employ all of us in the work of His kingdom. It’s time to report for duty. O what can I give to the Master, The One who from sin set me free? I'll give Him a lifetime of service To thank Him for dying for me. —K. De Haan We offer ourselves for Christ's service because He offered Himself for our sins. Luke 19:14 "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' Lu 19:27 1Sa 8:7 Ps 2:1-3 Isa 49:7 Zec 11:8 Joh 1:11 15:18,23,24 Ac 3:14,15 4:27,28 7:51,52 Luke 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 19:11-27 Doing Business for Jesus - Steven Cole Luke 19:11-27 Fitting Rewards from the Returning King - John MacArthur HATRED LEADS TO REJECTION AS KING But his citizens hated (miseo) him - But is a sad term of contrast. Recall the historical note above where the Jews did not want Archelaus ruling over them because he was so cruel. Unlike Archelaus there is nothing in this story to warrant the citizens hating the nobleman. Jesus had done nothing cruel to warrant His rejection (cf Jn 15:25, Ps 69:4). In a fascinating aside, history records that Archelaus slaughtered 3,000 Jews, while Jesus, on the first day of the Church, sent His Spirit and saved 3,000 Jews, giving them eternal life (Acts 2:41, cf Jn 10:10b)! Steven Cole on his citizens hated him - In the parable, this is a reference to the Jewish nation, which was rejecting Jesus as her King. They protested to Pilate, “We have no King but Caesar” (Jn 19:15). But beyond that, it also refers to this evil world that is hostile toward God and does not want to submit to Jesus as Lord and King. It is in just such a hostile world that we are to do business with the Gospel, multiplying it by investing it in the lives of people. (Doing Business for Jesus) Notice the phrase his citizens, where the possessive pronoun "his" indicates they belonged to him.
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Cole - Clearly, there is always a risk in doing business in a hostile environment (ED: IF YOU HAVE SHARED THE GOSPEL AT ALL, YOU KNOW THE REACTION CAN BE QUITE VARIED, AT TIMES QUITE UGLY, AND IN SOME COUNTRIES EVEN DEADLY!). But the greater risk is not to do business at all, but to carefully wrap up the Master’s mina in a handkerchief, not employing it for His purposes. Luke 19:20 "Another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; Master, here is your mina: Lu 19:13 3:9 6:46 Pr 26:13-16 Mt 25:24 Jas 4:17 Luke 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 19:11-27 Doing Business for Jesus - Steven Cole Luke 19:11-27 Fitting Rewards from the Returning King - John MacArthur THE THIRD SLAVE: ANOTHER OF A DIFFERENT KIND Another slave - While you cannot discern in the English translation, this slave is classified as "another" of a different kind (Greek = heteros). Another (2087)(heteros which gives us "heterodox") has the basic meaning of the other of two or more but specifically different. So the idea is qualitatively another of a different kind, and so not identical with what was previously referred to (Ro 7:23 "different law," Gal 1:6 - "different Gospel"). A second sense of heteros is numerically speaking and thus denoting a new member distinct in kind from those that preceded another (e.g., someone else, something else) (1 Cor 12:8-10 - "given...to another", Lk 8:6-8 of seed "other seed fell on rocky soil...and other seed fell among the thorns"). Luke's uses of heteros - Lk. 3:18; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 5:7; Lk. 6:6; Lk. 7:41; Lk. 8:3; Lk. 8:6; Lk. 8:7; Lk. 8:8; Lk. 9:29; Lk. 9:56; Lk. 9:59; Lk. 9:61; Lk. 10:1; Lk. 11:16; Lk. 11:26; Lk. 14:19; Lk. 14:20; Lk. 14:31; Lk. 16:7; Lk. 16:13; Lk. 16:18; Lk. 17:34; Lk. 17:35; Lk. 17:36; Lk. 18:10; Lk. 19:20; Lk. 20:11; Lk. 22:58; Lk. 22:65; Lk. 23:32; Lk. 23:40; Acts 1:20; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:13; Acts 2:40; Acts 4:12; Acts 7:18; Acts 8:34; Acts 12:17; Acts 13:35; Acts 15:35; Acts 17:7; Acts 17:21; Acts 17:34; Acts 20:15; Acts 23:6; Acts 27:1; Acts 27:3 Master here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief - Clearly the previous two slaves represent believers who are rewarded at the Judgment Seat. But now we come to a slave whose fate is debated by different commentators, some saying he is a believer who loses his rewards at the Judgment Seat, others saying he is not a believer and will suffer eternal loss. Whichever he is, it is clear that he made an abysmal waste of his once in a lifetime opportunity to use the master's mina for profit. Putting money in a handkerchief was not only non-productive but was considered unsafe in Jesus' day.
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Cole - The question is, does this unfaithful servant represent a true believer who loses his rewards, who is saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor. 3:15)? Or, is he a person who professes to know God, but by his deeds he denies him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed (Titus 1:16)? It seems to me that this third servant does not know the king. He wrongly thinks of him as a harsh man, when in reality he is very generous to the faithful slaves. Darrell Bock explains, “The third servant represents people who are related to the king in that they are associated with the community and have responsibility in it. Nevertheless their attitude shows that they do not see God as gracious and that they have not really trusted him…. Such people are left with nothing at the judgment; they are sent to outer darkness, because they never really trusted or knew God” (See Luke [Baker], 2:1542). J. C.
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Cole summarizes this entire passage: “We must follow Jesus because He is Lord, not just because of what He can do for us.” (Sermon) Just as He had told them speaks of Jesus' omniscience. Every detail was in His control. This particular fact is noted only by Luke. What Jesus promises will happen will happen just as He said without exception. Indeed, as Paul writes "For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Cor 1:20KJV) In other words the promises of God find their certain fulfillment, their "Yes," in Christ.
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Cole - On Palm Sunday, Jesus fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies, which I can only touch on here. (1) Psalm 118:22-27. This psalm, sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the feasts, refers to Jesus, the cornerstone rejected by the Jewish leaders, and to the day of Messiah which God has made. In Hebrew, “do save” (Ps 118:25) is “Hosanna,” which the crowds called out to Jesus (Matt. 21:9). Luke omits that word, but he reports that they quote Psalm 118:26 as Jesus passes by (Luke 19:38). (2) Zechariah 9:9 (see Matt. 21:5; John 12:14-15). Zechariah proclaims, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This prophecy refers especially to Messiah in His humiliation. The word “humble” (Zech. 9:9) points to one who is not only humble, but also oppressed or afflicted by evil men. After the time of Solomon, a donkey was considered a lowly animal ridden only by persons of no rank or position. Kings, warriors, and people of importance after Solomon’s time rode on horses. The donkey was considered a burden-bearer, an animal of peace, not an animal of war. By riding a donkey, Jesus was showing Himself to be Messiah, in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, but not the exalted political Messiah of war that the people expected. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Messiah offering peace and salvation. (3) Daniel 9:24-27. I do not have time to demonstrate the calculations, but the 19th century British scholar, Sir Robert Anderson (The Coming Prince), showed that Jesus’ triumphal entry fulfilled to the very day Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks concerning the appearance of Messiah the prince (see Alva McClain, Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks (borrow this book) [Zondervanl p. 20). Note Jesus’ words in Luke 19:42, “If you had known in this day ....” What day? The precise day that God had fixed in Daniel’s prophecy. Before this time, Jesus would not allow His followers to proclaim Him as Messiah. But now (Luke 19:40) He accepts their acclaim because the day had come for Messiah the prince (cf "until Messiah the Prince" - Da 9:25) to be proclaimed. Related Resources: Jesus wept - why did Jesus weep? The Temple--Its Ministry and Services: Chapter 1 By Alfred Edersheim - A First View of Jerusalem, and of the Temple - And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.' Luke 19:41 JERUSALEM - The name Jerusalem means "city of peace" or "foundation of peace"; and the people were hoping that Jesus would bring them the peace that they needed. However, He wept because He saw what lay ahead of the nation-war, suffering, destruction, and a scattered people. At His birth, the angels announced "peace on earth" (Luke 2:13-14+); but in His ministry Jesus announced "war on earth" (division) (Luke 12:51ff+). It is significant that the crowds shouted "peace in heaven" (Luke 19:38), because that is the only place where there is peace today! The nation had wasted its opportunities; their leaders did not know the time of God's visitation. They were ignorant of their own Scriptures. The next time Israel sees the King, the scene will be radically different! (Rev. 19:11ff+) The Moody Bible Commentary has very interesting comment regarding Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem in light of their coming judgment for rejecting their Messiah - The judgment of Jerusalem clarifies two issues regarding the history of anti-Semitism: First, the judgment was caused by the Jewish leadership’s rejection of Jesus as Messiah, not for being uniquely and perpetually guilty of crucifying Jesus. This contradicts the historic “Christ-killer” accusation against the Jewish people. Second, the judgment was fulfilled by the devastating events of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, not through the oppression of the Jewish people in their perpetual wanderings and persecutions. Beginning with Justin Martyr (who wrote of the Jewish people “tribulations were justly imposed on you, for you have murdered the Just One,” Dialogue with Trypho, 16), the church has frequently leveled both these false charges against the Jewish people, misunderstanding the clear teaching of Lk 19:41–44. Heartaches Read: Luke 19:28-41 As He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. —Luke 19:41 Heartaches—the world is full of them! A boy is mocked at school because he has an underdeveloped arm. A widow painfully remembers the day her husband committed suicide. Parents grieve over a rebellious son. A man tenderly cares for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s disease and doesn’t even know him. A minister resigns because of vicious lies told about him. A wife anguishes over her husband’s unfaithfulness. Such heartaches have caused some people to drop out of life. Other hurting folks have gone to the opposite extreme, trying to lose themselves in a flurry of activity. We can learn how to handle our heartaches by looking at the life of Jesus. His heart was breaking as He contemplated what would happen to Jerusalem. He let Himself cry (Luke 19:41). Then He continued the work He came to do—confronting sin, teaching the people, and instructing His disciples. If your heart is aching, admit your hurt to yourself, to others, and to God. This will open the door to receiving the help you need from the Lord and from people who care. Then choose to get involved in life by worshiping, loving, caring, and working. As you do, your deep hurt will lessen and your joy will increase. God wants to bind the broken heart And wipe each teardrop dry; He'll calm and soothe the troubled soul Who looks to God on high. —Brandt Serving others helps to heal your grief. Through The Eyes Of Jesus Read: Matthew 9:35-38 As [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. —Luke 19:41 Actor Bruce Marchiano wanted to see the world through the eyes of the character he was playing. So as he prepared for the role of Jesus in a presentation of Matthew’s Gospel, he prayed, “Lord, show me what it all looks like through Your eyes.” That prayer was answered one day while Marchiano was filming the Lord’s heartbroken denunciation of the unrepentant cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida (Mt. 11:20-22). The actor began to weep uncontrollably as he looked at the people around him. He said that he “saw people living their lives in ways that God didn’t plan.” He likened his reaction to what parents might feel if they saw their toddler walking into the street as a truck was coming. Marchiano realized that compassion is not just feeling sorry for people; it’s a heartache so intense that it moves us to action. As Jesus walked among people, He saw them as shepherdless sheep—spiritually ignorant, without hope, eternally lost. Moved with compassion, He taught them and used His supernatural power to meet their needs (Mt. 9:35). Do we see people through the eyes of Jesus? Are we moved with compassion, not with just a passing twinge of pity but a profound reaction that motivates action? Beautiful lives have they who bear The burdens of those heavy laden with care; Earnest are they who daily show Compassionate service wherever they go. —Anon. Compassion is love in action. The Need For Tears Read: Luke 19:37-44 As He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. —Luke 19:41 Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, we were all overwhelmed by the images of devastation and hardship endured by the people of that tiny nation. Of the many heartbreaking pictures, one captured my attention. It showed a woman staring at the massive destruction—and weeping. Her mind could not process the suffering of her people, and as her heart was crushed, tears poured from her eyes. Her reaction was understandable. Sometimes crying is the only appropriate response to the suffering we encounter. As I examined that picture, I thought of the compassion of our Lord. Jesus understood the need for tears, and He too wept. But He wept over a different kind of devastation—the destruction brought on by sin. As He approached Jerusalem, marked by corruption and injustice and the pain they create, His response was tears. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Jesus wept out of compassion and grief. As we encounter the inhumanity, suffering, and sin that wreak havoc in our world, how do we respond? If the heart of Christ breaks over the broken condition of our world, shouldn’t ours? And shouldn’t we then do everything we can to make a difference for those in need, both spiritually and physically? Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting, Help me know what to do and to say; Speak to my heart and give me compassion, Let Your great love flow through me today. —K. De Haan Compassion offers whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others. Luke 19:42 saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. But now they have been hidden from your eyesDeuteronomy 5:29; 32:29; Ps 81:13; Isaiah 48:18; Ezekiel 18:31,32; 33:11 in this day Lk 19:44; Ps 32:6; 95:7,8; Isaiah 55:6; John 12:35,36; 2 Corinthians 6:1,2 But now they have been hidden from your eyes Lk 1:77-79; 2:10-14; 10:5,6; Acts 10:36; 13:46; Hebrews 3:7,13,15; 10:26-29; Hebrews 12:24-26 But now they have been hidden from your eyesIsaiah 6:9,10; 29:10-14; 44:18; Matthew 13:14,15; John 12:38-41; Acts 28:25-27; Romans 11:7-10; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 4:3,4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 Luke 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 19:28-44 Why You Should Follow Jesus - Steven Cole Luke 19:28-40 Jesus' Humble Coronation, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 19:28-44 Jesus' Humble Coronation, Part 2 - John MacArthur "THIS DAY" MARKED A TURNING POINT FOR THE JEWS Saying, "If you had known -- The "IF" here is the "if" of a second class conditional statement which is determined as unfulfilled. The implication is they could have known and they should have known. The OT had over 300 prophecies of the Messiah and Jesus was in their midst and fulfilled all of those prophecies (of course prophecies in the future would also be fulfilled by Him). Had they studied and believed their prophet Daniel 9:24-25+ they could have known that this was the very day about which he had prophesied almost 500 years earlier. Had they read Zechariah 9:9 they would have recognized their Messiah. In this day (cf to the parallel phrase "the time" below) - When is this day? The Greek text is even more striking because it has the definitive article before day (te hemera), which identifies this as not just any day but as a very specific, unique day, a day the Jews could have and should have known! This is the very day about Daniel had prophesied, the day on which the Messiah would come into Jerusalem and proclaim (by His actions that fulfilled OT prophecies like Zechariah 9:9 by His willing reception of the Messianic adulation of the crowd) that He was indeed Israel's long awaited and longed for Messiah! Henry Morris on "this thy day" (Lk 19:42KJV) - "This thy day" was the day when the Scriptures had said that Messiah would present Himself to Judah and Jerusalem as their promised King. The time of His coming had been foretold in Daniel 9:25, and the manner of His coming in Zechariah 9:9. A believing remnant had recognized Him, but the leaders and most of the people did not. On the very day when they should have crowned Him King, they set about to destroy Him (Lk 19:47+). (Borrow The Defender's Study Bible) David