[:en]Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector (vs. 1-10)
Zacchaeus, the tax collector was a few working for the Roman empire. they were among the most unpopular and hated people in Israel because they were considered as traitor. besides, the tax collector were notorious for collecting more taxes than required. When Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus tried to get a look at Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to watch. Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus and said: “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v. 5) Zacchaeus came down at once and welcomed Jesus gladly. All the people were displeased that Jesus was going to be the guest of a notorious sinner.
But despite of being a cheater and a turncoat, Jesus still loved him and wanted him to be saved. After Zacchaeus met Jesus, he offered to pay the highest price by giving to the poor and making restitution to those whom he had cheated. He demonstrated inner change by outward action.
If we follow Jesus, we must show our faith by changed behavior.
The Parable of the 10 Minas (vs. 11-27)
A man called on his 10 servants and gave each 10 minas and told them to put this money to work until he returned. When the man came back, the first came and earned him 10 more. So the man rewarded him with taking charge of 10 cities. The second came and earned him 5 more. So he was reward with taking charge of 5 cities. Then another servant came and earned him nothing. So the master took the 10 minas from him and gave it to the one who had 10 minas.
In this parable, each servant was given 10 minas which may represent the message of the Gospel. We are to share the Gospel and witness to the world. We all start at the same level but our reward is according to our faithfulness and achievement.
Do you truly love the Lord and faithfully serving Him? Are you a trustworthy steward, doing the will of God from your heart? What will Jesus said to you when He returns? Will you be rewared or rebuked?
The Triumphant Entry (vs. 28-44)
Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus told two of His disciples: “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?, tell him, “The Lord needs it” (vs. 30-31) So they brought the colt to Jesus and the people threw their cloaks on the colt and spread their cloaks on the road . The whole crowd praised God in loud voice saying “Blessed is the kind who comes in the name of the Lord! “, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (v. 18) Some Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His followers because they thought the crowd’s word were sacrilegious and blasphemous, challenging the power and authority of the Roman empire. Jesus said: If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (v, 40) Jesus told them that he was establishing god’s eternal kingdom which deserves a great celebration.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it because they had refused God’s offer of salvation through Him. After 40 years, in AD 66, the Jews revolted against Roman control. Three years later, Titus, the son of emperor Vespasian crushed the rebellion, and laid siege the city. In AD 70, the city was burned and 600k Jews were killed.
Jesus at the Temple (vs. 45-48)
When Jesus entered the temple, he saw people doing business.. They had used the area as religious market place to exchange money and purchase approved sacrifice. The priest managed this business and made good profits from it. Jesus drove them away and said: “My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robber” (v. 46)
The religious leader used the temple to enrich themselves. They used the services of the Holy Temple to cover up their sins. How about you? Do you go to church to seek for business opportunities? Do you attend worship service just to give people the impression that you are godly?[:]