King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, November 01, 2025
Chapters: Luke 19
Message: Luke: Jesus And Zacchaeus
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn that the second one begins looking for Jesus, He shows, but we need to receive His invitation if we want to be a part of His household. We also learn the fate of those who proclaim Christ as well as those who say they do, but secretly despise Him, [2 Peter 2:19-21 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.]
Wow! That is an eye opening statement right there and also explains why there will be so many people in hell right now because they thought that they could deceive Jesus into believing that they truly believed in Him. And as I was about to start reading the chapter for today, I read this from Charles Spurgeon this morning.
[Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round-Am I a member of the Church in this house?…Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that such may, on their return to their home, gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty. If there be such a Church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity…We need not fear that the smallness of our number will put us out of the list of Churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance.]
This had me in tears and it seems that I am a bit emotional today because not only does it line up with today’s reading, it is a reminder of how many households that are not centered around Christ. I remember years ago before my brother and I had found our spouses that we use to have family Bible studies and pray together. Those days are long gone, the house is pretty much empty, leaving me to collect my thoughts with Jesus, which is not a bad thing, but I miss the fellowship, and there is a reason why we need to be around like minded Christians, it keeps us grounded and accountable, [1 Corinthians 12:26-27 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.]
Jesus, knew that His time to fulfill His purpose for being here was quickly approaching. Knowing that He was about to sacrifice His own life to bring salvation to those who seek Him was not going to be an easy thing to do, it was going to be hard and very painful, but that is just how much He loves all of us. As He heads to Jerusalem, He passed through Jericho, there was man there who heard all the stories about Jesus and wanted to see Him.
[Luke 19:1-5 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.]
So, here is this guy, very rich, very powerful, well known by the community, and despised because he was not only a tax collector, he was in charge of them. With all the wealth he had, he knew something was missing in his life. While it appeared that he was actually one of the decent tax collectors, who did not take advantage of the people, they still despised him. I mean, who loves tax collectors, all they do is tax you to death. Nevertheless, he did not care what they thought, all he cared about was getting to see Jesus, only to his surprise discover that Jesus found him up. And Zacchaeus, did not hesitate, he quickly climbed down and led Jesus to his house.
[Luke 19:6-10 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.]
Notice how the people, who by the way could care less that Jesus was going to a “sinners” house, reacted to Zacchaeus receiving Jesus. This is actually how salvation works, we admit that we are a sinner and that Jesus came to save us, then we seek Jesus who then comes to us, receives us, and we in return, receive Him. Those fools who called Zacchaeus a sinner were blind to the fact that they were sinners too, in fact, their self-righteous egos could not see past their own conscience. That is the problem with religion, they believe themselves to be above the Law and untouchable, but will learn the hard way that they cannot save themselves, [Romans 2:9-11 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.]
By the way, every one in Zacchaeus’ house received Jesus, the second that we believe in God and seek Him, that is when we will discover who Jesus really is, who is really seeking us who were lost as can be until we found Him. I grew up in religion, knew about the great sacrifice He made for me, but just knowing that He died for me was not enough, I had to receive Him into my own heart before He would save me. In fact, I did not even know that He could save me as I was taught that in order to get to heaven I had to work my way to get there. Thank God, that the second that I started seeking Jesus that was when He found me and I learned the truth. No one gets to heaven just by saying that they believe that Jesus exists, to prove that point, Jesus speaks a parable.
[Luke 19:11-15 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.]
So, here is the story line, Jesus, is the nobleman who was despised by the scribes, priests, and Pharisee’s, who rather Him be dead than accept that He is the only way to heaven. Nevertheless, there were some among them who did receive Him and the kingdom of heaven. The money is the Gospel and as Jesus continues the parable, He goes on to tell what happened to those who were given it.
[Luke 19:16-22 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:]
In other words, Jesus is shortly about to ascend back to heaven where He is going to prepare a place for His saints. In the meantime, He is leaving His ministry in the hands of His disciples, who are to continue in the work which He had begun. When He returns for His people they are going to receive gifts according to their works after they received Him, []
[Austere; Severe; harsh; rigid; stern;] In other words, this man, who was given the Gospel, thought that Jesus was a tyrant and would not receive Him. are going to face eternal damnation. Oh, but there is more, they will lose that opportunity forever and any earthly gifts given to them will be taken away and given to His faithful.
[Luke 19:23-27 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.]
The very first thing the unfaithful ask when the faithful seem to be getting more is why they are getting more. This is nothing, but envy on their part, but Jesus reminds them that as long as they are faithful there is no need to be envious, they too will receive more for their faithfulness, but even if they did not, the important thing is that they accepted the gift in the first place, [1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
Now, after all that Jesus, was about to head into Jerusalem, but stops at Mount Olives, to prepare for what is about to take place, as the prophecies concerning His death, burial, and resurrection where about to unfold. He instructs two of the disciples to bring Him a donkey that was in a specific place.
[Luke 19:28-32 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.]
This prophecy was actually written in, Zechariah, [Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.] And this explains why many of the disciples thought that this would be the time when Jesus would establish His Kingdom. As Jesus continued on His way toward Jerusalem, the disciples took their upper garments, and their festival clothes, and spread them out on the road, as for the reception of a mighty King and it was a great reception indeed.
[Luke 19:35-40 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.]
These were the multitudes who had been following Him as well as those in Jerusalem waiting for His arrival. As soon as He arrived, He overlooks the city and became quite sad, [Luke 19:41-44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.]
I suppose Jesus had a mountain of mixed emotions as He would not only be shedding His own blood, but the blood of other saints would follow as well as the ones responsible for having Him crucified. While we may never fully understand what Christ has done for us, the one thing we can understand is that He loved all and gave His life for all, but will not force Himself upon anyone. If they reject Him it is all on them. I will say this, even if life here is not always abundant, and we face more trials than we care to, we do have eternal life to look forward to and if that is the only thing we will receive then I will take it. It is far better as Jesus puts it, to have one foot cut off than spend an eternity in hell.
[Mark 9:45-47 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:]
Today’s Prayer: God, You have sent the greatest gift that cannot be bought or sold, and that is You Son Jesus Christ. Those who accept Him receive eternal life with You, and the only way that we can obtain that is by believing in the Gospel and receiving Him as our Saviour. You promise an abundant life to all who accept Your Son, but that is also on the condition that we continue in the work that Jesus left for us to do. Lord, Lead and guide me, and give me Your mercy, grace, and Holy Spirit power to follow in the example that Your Son laid out for us so that I truly am living the rest of my days abundantly. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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