October 29th. Todays reading is Luke chapters 19 and 20. Topics covered in chapter 19 include: Of Zacchaeus the publican; The ten pieces of money; Christ rides into Jerusalem; Weeps over it. In chapter 20: Christ silences those who questioned His authority; The parable of the vineyard. Amen. There were probably many that were converted to Christ that the gospels dont keep record of, but in this case the conversion of Zaccheus is recorded because it was extraordinary. We read of publicans coming to Christ, but here was the chief of publicans, one in authority who inquired after him. Because he was so eager to see Christ that he forgot his standing of authority and ran like a little boy and climbed a tree to see Him. Those that sincerely desire a sight of Christ will use the proper means for gaining sight of Him and will overcome a great deal of difficulty and opposition in order to see Him. See, that those who are faithful in a little will be trusted with more. Some that only come to hear Christ out of curiosity have their hearts awakened and changed. Zaccheus then presented proofs of his conversion. He didnt expect to be justified by his works, but showed them as evidence that grace was at work in him. He becomes a blessing to his house, opening the way for grace and salvation to enter in. We later see that as Jesus was headed towards His last supper, the expectations of His friends and enemies were raised and they thought the kingdom would immediately appear. They were expecting a physical and temporal prince on earth. He corrects it by telling them that He must not be publicly installed in His kingdom for a while yet comparing Himself to the nobleman in the parable, and must go to heaven and sit at the right hand of glory before the Spirit is poured out by which the kingdom would be set up on earth. They expected that His apostles would be advanced to dignity and honor and made princes as well, but He shows in the parable that He designed them to be men of business and that they had a great work to do. They also expected that when the kingdom appeared that the Jewish nation would fall in line with it, but He corrects this notion in verse 14. Even the best men can make mistakes when it comes to the scriptures. Notice in chapter 20 in the parable of the vineyard that the application of the parable to the Pharisees is added this time and their response as well. Though they knew such behavior required punishment they wouldnt hear of it, God forbid. See Christ look on them with pity - He beheld them and referred them again to the Scriptures regarding the corner stone. Have a blessed day.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:37:36 +0000
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