Canonical Reading Plan for Nov 1, Luke 19-20

Today's readings are Luk 19-20.

Nearing the end of His ministry and having just healed the blind man as an example of His ability to make men see who are unable to see on their own, In Luk 19:1-10, Jesus fellowships with another type of sinner, a tax collector. Tax collectors, being Jews themselves, took advantage of the Jewish people by overcharging for taxes keeping it for their personal use. Consequently, they were despised as Roman collaborators and traitors. Upon encountering Jesus, Zacchaeus turns from his wicked ways and promises restitution to those he had cheated far beyond anything the law would dictate. Jesus proclaims salvation has come to Zacchaeus adding, for the benefit of those who were critical of Him, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luk 19:10)." This would be a good underlying theme for the entire Gospel of Luke. The inference is that He has come to save those who are aware they need a savior, those who repent and turn toward Him.

We hear the parable of the ten minas in Luk 19:11-27. This parable is symbolic of Jesus as He leaves to go to the Father. As He departs, He leaves a precious gift with those who are faithful. The gift is the gospel. If they use it wisely, they will be blessed multiple times over. Their faith in such a little thing as being faithful to portray and display the gospel to the lost world will reap great rewards when Jesus returns. "To everyone who has, more will be given (Luk 19:26)." This is not about money or material possessions, it is about spiritual truth and well-being.

Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of praise and acclaim (Luk 19:28-44). It is a melancholy moment. The religious leaders tell Him to silence the crowd. They're not aware of what's really happening. The crowd believes Jesus is the One who will deliver them from Roman oppression, the One who will finally vindicate them and show the world their lofty status as God's chosen people. Jesus pauses on the way down the Mount of Olives and weeps over the city (Luk 19:41-44). They just don't get it. Not only are they missing the point, they are about to prove how spectacularly they are getting it wrong.

As a way of driving the point home, Jesus goes to the temple, not to the Roman governor's house. He cleans the temple of the Jews who are defiling it. Significantly, Jesus condemns the city and its leaders, not the Romans who are oppressing it (Lk 19:45-47).

The people listen eagerly (Luk 19:45-47) but they will soon prove they do not hear.  Jesus is not here to meet their expectations, nor is He here to meet ours. He is here to ensure that His bride is spotless and holy. This applies as much to us today as it does to the Jews in the first century.

Luk 20:18 portrays Jesus as a stumbling stone that breaks to pieces (shatters) and a stone that crushes (makes like chaff and blows away). Note in the former, man is the agent of the breaking, he is the one who falls upon the stone. This is a symbol of human responsibility. In the latter, the stone fall and crushes. This is a symbol of divine sovereignty. Both are present in this verse as in so many others. All will encounter the stone (Jesus). Everyone who does will either be shattered or crushed. The only way to avoid either is to become one with it.  How do we become one with the stone? By repenting and calling upon Him to be Lord and Savior.