Jesus In Jerusalem
At this point in Luke, Jesus finally makes his way to Jerusalem. Prior to his arrival he makes a stop in Jericho and requests to stay at Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus was a very wealthy, chief tax collector. (Remember what we learned about tax collectors in Luke 3:1) When the people heard this they begin to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner." This was the same reaction the Pharisees and the teachers had when Jesus ate with the sinners at Levi's house in Luke 5:30. Even 14 chapters later Jesus was still loving people despite their sin, and he is STILL doing the same with you and I today.
People will change their minds about you, but the love of God never changes. It was in the love that Jesus showed Zacchaeus, where he found the desire to change his ways. (Luke 19:8) He met Jesus, experienced the love of God and his life changed just like that. Some people here about the love of God, and think I wonder how that feels. If you'd just put yourself in position to met Jesus all the love he has to offer will fill your heart. Zacchaeus climbed to the top of the tree, just to see who Jesus was. He had a desire to know God, and his desire lead him to salvation. (Luke 19:9) He demonstrated inner change by outward action. We too must show our faith by changed behavior. Jesus wants to make you over, but we have to be willing to give up our own way of living. Jesus came to save the lost, the broken, and the bruised. Your background doesn't matter, he can still clean you up.
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Jesus then begin to tell The Parable of the Kings Ten Servants. When I first read this parable I said to myself, "This is a mean king!" That's because I didn't read this parable from a God perspective. Luckily my bible was able to give me a different viewpoint on this parable. This parable was intended to show Jesus' followers what they were to do from the time of his departure to the time of his second coming. Quite frankly, this parable applies to you and I. You see, the servant who kept the money he was given laid away, was afraid that his master would take the interest and use it for his own pleasure. So instead of profiting off the money like all the other servants, he let it sit. (Luke 19:20-21)
You may be wondering how this applies to us. Well, the "minas" or money in this parable symbolizes our resources and talents that God has given us. The lack of profiting off the money symbolizes us when we don't use our gifts or resources. We spoke about this twice already in earlier blogs, and here it is again. Jesus expects us to use the resources and talents we have to advance his kingdom until he returns. (Luke 19:13) Just like the servants took the money their master gave them & gained more by the time he came back. (Luke 19:18) What are you doing with the resources and talents God has given you? Are you letting them sit or are you putting them to work in order to add interest?
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After Jesus told The Parable of The King's Servants he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus was very well known by this time, so the crowds were shouting and praising God in loud voices as he passed through. (Luke 19:38) Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" The Pharisees didn't want anyone challenging their power and authority. They still had it out for Jesus. Jesus responded, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." This means that no matter what God will be praised, if not by his people, the very rocks of this world will. His goodness will endure, and can't a devil in hell stop it. In Cry Out X Refresh Worship ft. Naomi Raine, Naomi Raine says, "I won't let a rock cry out for me." and now that I've read Luke 19 I see why she screamed it with so much passion. I'm going to praise God before I let a rock do it for me. Repeat after me, "I won't- let a rock -cry out- for me, I won't- let a rock -cry out- for me. I will not be silent, i'm gonna keep on singing..." If you haven't already please go listen to this song. (Cry Out X Refresh Worship ft. Naomi Raine)
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As Jesus approached Jerusalem he begin to weep thinking about the ones who denied him and how they will miss out on the kingdom of God. (Luke 19:42) We however still have a chance at eternal life, we must accept it and/or maintain it while it's still offered. You may be saved already, you may have backslid or you may just be getting to know Jesus. Whatever your relationship status with Jesus is right now, I am here to remind you that there is no other way to do life. Living for Jesus is the BEST decision you could ever make.