Study 41. Luke 18:35 - 19:10. 17/11/23

1. How does Jesus display His kingship and character in 18:35-43?

Jesus acknowledged the beggar’s call of “Son of David”, a royal designation.

He commands the beggar (Bartimaeus Mk 10:46) to be brought to Him. 

There was compassion for one man crying out.

He asks what the beggar wants, as if He had the power to accomplish it . 

Matthew tells us that Jesus touched the man’s eyes, but Luke records no action. He mentions only the healing words, to which Jesus added, 'your faith has made you well' (18:42, cf. 8:48, 17:19). This does not mean that the man’s faith created the cure, but that it was the means by which he received it.(Morris)

 

2. In what ways does the blind beggar show faith in the King (18:38-43)?

The blind man must have heard of Jesus. He seized his opportunity and called on Jesus as 'Son of David', the only one in this Gospel to address Jesus in this way (the expression is also used by Jesus in 20:41)

He called/cried out loudly

He called out persistently despite discouragement from the crowd

He did not ask for money. He had faith that Jesus had the power to heal him

3. This story (19:1-10) is included partly to illustrate Jesus' statement in 19:10. How does Jesus define His mission in that verse?

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

 

Jesus did not intend to stay in Jericho. He was just 'passing through'. Yet on meeting Zacchaeus, Jesus says "I must stay" -a strong expression (cf. Jn 4:4 'He had to pass through Samaria'). Jesus saw his meeting with Zacchaeus as part of His divine mission 

 

Zacchaeus is contrasted with the rich young ruler. Both seek Jesus. One spontaneously gives away his wealth. The other loves his wealth too much to follow Jesus. Yet Jesus' demands on the ruler were greater than His demands of Zacchaeus, perhaps because the hold of wealth on the former was greater.

 

Coming so soon after the emphatic statement about the difficulty of the salvation of the rich (18:24f.), this incident must be seen as a striking manifestation of God’s grace (18:27)(Morris)

 

4. What does Jesus do to seek and save Zaccheus (19:5)?

He noticed Zacchaeus in the tree

He called to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree

He told Zacchaeus he would stay at his house.

He affirmed Zacchaeus' salvation

He defended him to the people

 

 

5. How does Zaccheus show that he has truly embraced Jesus' offer of salvation (19:6-8)?

He gave up what had previously been most important When voluntary restitution was made the Law required no more than the original amount plus one fifth (Lev. 6:5; Num. 5:7), so that Zacchaeus was cheerfully agreeing to do more than was necessary. He was doing what was laid down for theft with killing or selling of an animal (Exod. 22:1; 2 Sam. 12:6) (Morris)

'Salvation has come to this house' must refer primarily to the tax collector, but the household is not overlooked. A son of Abraham will mean a true Jew, one who follows the faith of Abraham (cf. Rom. 4:12), and not simply a lineal descendant of the patriarch. All Jews could claim this, but not all Jews were saved. The reason for this man’s salvation ‘is not Zacchaeus’ act of penance but his solidarity with Abraham, that is, God’s free grace’ (Schweizer)

 

6. In what way does the crowd's muttering show that they misunderstand Jesus' mission to the 'poor' (4:18; 5:30-32, 6:20, 19:10)?

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

 The poor are those who cannot save themselves. They are lost and without resources. They can only depend on God. In this sense, the rich who recognise their true poverty also can turn to the Saviour.

 How does 19:8 show that Zaccheus understands how Jesus' offer of friendship should affect his life?

 The man counted a relationship with Jesus greater than his wealth. He did not stop having money, but it no longer had a hold on his life. He understood:

• Generosity
• Restitution