Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 19:5-7

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Notice the different reactions of the onlookers to the rich ruler’s rejection of Jesus (Luke 18:23-30) and to Zacchaeus’ reception of Jesus in these verses. How prone people are to prejudiced conclusions. Instead of marveling at Jesus’ graciousness toward Zacchaeus, they subtly accused Jesus of complicity with his sin. 

Father, may human estimations and reactions never surprise me. Keep me from prejudice and enable me to reach out to all, especially to those wanting to know Jesus Christ and even as unlikely as they may appear to be. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 19:1-4

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Interestingly, the story of Zacchaeus, a rich man, follows closely with the rich ruler and Jesus’ teaching in 18:18-30. Though riches were a common factor for both men, all else was different: what they were, what they sought from Jesus, and what they became. In Luke 18, the man was a moral, respected leader of the community, whereas Zacchaeus was an immoral, hated chief tax collector in the community. In Luke 18, the man wanted Jesus’ instruction without Jesus or following his instruction, but Zacchaeus was driven to seek Jesus himself. In Luke 18, the man expected special, personal treatment from Jesus as an equal, but Zacchaeus so wanted to see Jesus as he passed by him, even to do whatever he needed to do to see him – climbing a tree. What a contrast these two rich men were, and what a contrast they became. Where Jesus is given true priority, the grace of God will be found (John 12:26, Matthew 6:33).  

Father, nothing will satisfy the heart except seeking and seeing Jesus as he is. May this ever be my life priority. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – Review of Chapter 18

The chapter seemed to focus on obstacles regarding the entrance to and experience of the kingdom of God. The entrance and full experience of the kingdom is connected to patient, persistent prayer. No one desiring entrance is to be hindered. Yet, mere desire will not gain entrance. The entrance and experience are based on knowing truth, turning from error, trusting in Jesus Christ, and following him. These essentials take place only by divine enablement, never by mere human attainment. Those who truly humble themselves before God – being conscious of their need and inability – are the ones who will gain entrance. Life must be evaluated through the lens of God’s word – never conversely – to be experienced truly. Life as it ought to be rests on Jesus Christ by faith.

“Follow Me, the Master said; we will follow Jesus: by His Word and Spirit led, we will follow Jesus. Still for us He lives to plead, at the throne doth intercede, offers help in time of need: we will follow Jesus. Should the world and sin oppose, we will follow Jesus: He is greater than our foes, we will follow Jesus. On His promise we depend; He will succor and defend, help and keep us to the end: we will follow Jesus. Tho’ the way may dark appear; we will follow Jesus: He will make our pathway clear; we will follow Jesus. In our daily round of care, as we plead with God in prayer, with the cross which we must bear, we will follow Jesus. Ever keep the end in view; we will follow Jesus: all His promises are true: we will follow Jesus. When this earthly course is run, and the Master says, Well done! Life eternal we’ll have won! We will follow Jesus.” (William J. Stevenson)                                         

Father, enable me to respond correctly regarding any obstacles between me and the entrance and full experience of the kingdom (Acts 14:21-22, Peter 1:10-11). In addition, teach and enable me to deal properly in ministry toward others. May I seek to avoid making any obstacles for them coming to Christ and making them aware of any of their own obstacles. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:40-43

And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

In contrast to those who rebuked the blind man, Jesus received him and gave him opportunity to express his desire and need. Upon hearing his request, Jesus granted it instantly, and immediately the man’s faith was fulfilled. He saw, followed Jesus, and glorified God (in contrast the rich ruler who did not – 18:22-23). This prompted others to praise God, too.  Those who realize they have nothing are more likely to have faith in Jesus Christ, find all they need and more in him, follow him, and impact others about him.

Father, may my faith and following the Lord Jesus not only bring blessing to my life, but impact others to trust, follow, and praise him, too. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:35-39

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Although the disciples did not grasp the meaning of what Jesus had told them, yet they apparently did understand enough to realize something important – maybe dangerous – was about to happen to him. So, when the blind beggar cried loudly for Jesus’ help by using a messianic title (Son of David), they tried to silence him as they had done the children (18:15). However, the man would not stop calling to Jesus.

Father, whatever the issue may be, when someone wants the help and blessing of Jesus, no restraint should be put upon them regardless of how disruptive or dangerous it may seem. Remind that interruptions may well be an appointed opportunity for service and not something to be feared, ignored, or rebuked. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:31-34

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Though the twelve knew that the opposition to Jesus was increasing, they could not understand the  horrific events Jesus was describing would happen to him. Despite the united testimony of the prophets’ writings on which Jesus based his statements, the disciples did not put it all together yet. In fact, a full understanding was hidden from them at this time for their good.

Father, enable me to adjust my perception of life and its events to your word, even if it seems unreasonable to me now. Amen.  

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:28-30

And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Peter – and the other disciples – had done what Jesus had said to the rich ruler to do. They had left all and followed him decisively. Yet, he – and they – seemed troubled that the rich ruler had walked away from Jesus to hold on to his wealth. So, Jesus reinforced the value of his lesson with strong assurances to his disciples. In spite of all apparent appearances, no one who forsook all to follow him would lose anything of enduring value. In fact, they would receive back the richest blessings many times over in this present time and fully in the age to come.

Father, teach me to trust your word and to keep following Christ by faith. You have proved your promise to me over and over in this life. You have given me so many true and enduring riches in this present life … more than I could imagine … and more to come in eternity. Amen. 

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:24-27

Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

How sad this scene became. The rich ruler could not bear to part with his material “god” for the true God and his abiding riches. Yet, out of the sad scene, Jesus gave an important lesson. To those around him, the rich ruler appeared to have all the benefits a person could desire, and yet Jesus declared that those material benefits would not gain entrance into the kingdom of God and eternal life – which the ruler instinctively knew he lacked by his initial question (18:18). Salvation by human attainment is impossible. Humans cannot break the bonds of sin and enter God’s kingdom by doing anything. Only by reliance on God’s enablement is salvation possible. The entrance into eternal life is God’s alone to give, and he does so by grace through faith alone.     

Father, thank you for bringing me to this realization and by faith to Jesus Christ and into your kingdom. May this lesson grip my heart and ministry. May I not only rely on your ability for myself, but also press on others the need to do the same. Amen.

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:22-23

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Having set the ruler up, Jesus touched the root of his need for eternal life (regarding the first four and tenth commandments). Over time the accumulation of wealth had consciously – or unconsciously – turned the ruler into a selfish, covetous worshipper of his wealth (remember 16:13 – the mutual exclusion of serving God and wealth). To have the eternal life he wanted, Jesus called him to repent by decisively releasing his idolatrous commitment to his wealth and taking a path of faith in following Christ. Eternal life is based on knowing God’s way, turning away from error, and following Jesus Christ.

Father, master my heart. Free me by repentance from all selfishness, coveting, and idolatry to follow Jesus Christ by faith to you. Amen. 

Lessons from Luke for Pilgrim Progress – 18:18-21

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

What an interesting follow-up this young ruler was to what Jesus had just declared about entering and belonging to the kingdom of God. This ruler came seeking advice of what he should do to inherit (merit) eternal life. His means of asking Jesus implied that he held himself on the same level as Jesus – an overestimation of himself and an underestimation of Jesus. In so doing, he used the word “good” too loosely (though it was true of Jesus – who was a teacher, but much more being God). He showed a limited comprehension of the law (which was his primary lack) in response to the laws Jesus cited. Instead of asking about the first four and the last commandments Jesus had not named, he presumptuously claimed to have kept those cited.       

Father, how skillfully Jesus dealt with people. Teach me how to do this. Thank you for your unmerited gift of eternal life through the accomplishment and fulfillment of the law by your Son. Amen.