Jesus wraps up his long journey toward Jerusalem in chapter 19, demonstrating grace to a repentant sinner along the way (v. 1-10). He enters Jerusalem to acclaim and adulation from his disciples for the miracles they had seen (v. 35-38), then he heads to the temple and starts making waves (v. 45-48).
We've heard grumblings about Jesus' association with tax collectors before, and he told the parable of the justified tax collector in 18:9-14. So, it's no surprise that Jesus is open to Zacchaeus while the crowd sees only a sinner (v. 7). Before Jesus speaks to Zacchaeus, all we know is that he's curious (v. 3). What I read in the next few verses leads me to believe Zacchaeus was seeking out Jesus as part of a spiritual journey that had already caused him to reject the way he had been living. In light of this, Zacchaeus may have resolved to right his financial wrongs because of Jesus' invitational attitude (v. 5), creating some economic justice (v. 8). Are there ways we can be open to people that others reject or look at as sinners?
Zacchaeus' plan of action was the evidence (or what we've sometimes called fruit) of his prior repentance, as Jesus affirms the lost has been saved (v. 9-10). His response stands in contrast to the rich ruler (18:23) who went away sad that he couldn't inherit eternal life/enter the kingdom of God.
The parable that follows (v. 11-27) foreshadows the disciples' proclamation of Jesus' kingship as he rides into Jerusalem (v. 38). It serves as a rebuke to those who mutter against Jesus' acceptance of Zacchaeus. It's also a clarion call to his followers (then and now) to use what God has given us for the work of the kingdom. This includes the skills that we have, but I think it speaks of our financial resources, as well. The king gives 10 servants each a mina (v. 13), an amount of money equal to three months wages. However, investment in God's kingdom is kind of the reverse of growing your money, like the servants did (v. 15-16, 18). Instead, it's giving away what you possess and following Jesus. This is something Zacchaeus embraced and the rich ruler rejected. There are a lot of other interesting elements to this parable, including the rewards and punishments the king gives to his servants for their investment choices or how they accept his position (v. 17, 19, 22-27). Let's talk about what else is in this parable on Sunday.
Jesus and the disciples' journey to Jerusalem has been going on for 10 chapters, since 9:51, and now they're about to arrive. I'd like to hear what you think about the intriguing scenario leading up to Jesus' "Palm Sunday" ride into Jerusalem (v. 28-34), where disciples are sent to get a colt. By the way, did you notice that no palms are involved in this telling of the entry into Jerusalem?
Look at what the people shout as Jesus rides into the city (v. 38). They call him a king coming in the Lord's name, referencing a messianic passage from the book of Psalms (118:26). There are a couple other components here that signal the Messiah is arriving. We'll talk about those on Sunday. Now, look at what else the people shout -- does it sound familiar? It has striking similarities to what the host of angels proclaimed to the shepherds in 2:14 when they revealed that the newborn Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus embraced the crowd's praise and claimed the Messiah mantle in his response to the Pharisees (v. 40). He then prophecies of Jerusalem's destruction and ties it to his coming rejection by Israel (v. 41-44).
Jesus made sure everybody knew he would be in the temple teaching when he drove out those who were selling in the courtyards (v. 45). They were likely selling animals for sacrifices and he seems to be taking issue with how they were doing that, quoting from two scripture passages (Is. 56:7 and Jer. 7:11). Perhaps that ruckus drew people to Jesus for his daily teaching sessions (v. 47) and gave him a jumping off point for those lessons. But because of that incident, along with everything else the Jewish elite objected to with Jesus, they were looking for an opportunity to kill him (v. 47). Within the week, they would.