Luke 19

V 1–10: SON SEEKING AND SAVING Jesus’ mission ‘to seek and to save’ includes blessing Zacchaeus, a tax collector. He comes to Christ, gives half of his goods to the poor, and makes generous restitution to those from whom he has wrongly extracted money. V 11–27: SERVANTS SERVING AND SCARED As Jerusalem looms ahead and the disciples think that His kingdom will suddenly appear, Jesus teaches the need to be faithful while waiting. He shows, by a parable of three servants, that His disciples should use what He gives them responsibly and obediently while awaiting His coming kingdom. Two servants serve their departing master very faithfully and well and invest what he leaves with them. They make a financial return, for which they are rewarded on his return as king. The other servant is scared of potential failure incurring his master’s displeasure and so he is disobedient. He does not invest his master’s money as commanded. His master is displeased and directs that his share should be given to the most fruitful of the faithful servants. A worse fate still, however, will await the enemies of the new king. V 28–44: SAVIOUR SALUTED AND SADDENED About to enter Jerusalem, Jesus details two disciples to acquire a colt prepared for Him. His entry into Jerusalem on it is met by loud and joyful praise from the crowd because of the miracles they have seen. Jesus refuses to heed the Pharisees’ request to quieten His disciples. He then weeps over Jerusalem, because He knows its citizens will reject Him and that the city will suffer greatly in the days to come. There will be cruel oppression and destruction. V 45–48: SACRILEGIOUS SELLING AND SCOURGING Jesus drives out dishonest sellers who are defiling the temple. Elsewhere we read that He did this with a whip. He teaches daily in the purged temple. The desire of the religious leaders to kill Him intensifies, while the people listen to Him with growing attention.