Day 84

Memorize: Entry into Jerusalem triumphant Luke 19

Key Verses: 2, 10, 25, 30, 40, 46, 47

The profession of tax collecting has not changed that much. People didn’t like them then, and they don’t like them now. Back then they would skim off the top of every inflated collection some for themselves. Today they just represent what so many of us despise: a government that is too big and too expensive. But Jesus doesn’t let this reputation get in the way of someone seeking to know Him. He seeks out, invites himself to lunch, and then accepts his act of repentance and offers salvation. Jesus is willing to welcome the bottom of the barrel. He looks at the heart. When the heart is right, actions follow.

The parable of the money that follows illustrates this principle. The ones that followed through on their stewardship were rewarded. The one that did nothing, got nothing. Faith that is real faith follows through in our actions. Faith is more than words. Faith changes the very way we live. Jesus was pointing at the religious leaders of his day who looked down on this tax collector. Jesus said he would be rewarded, but the religious leaders would not be rewarded, because they did nothing with what they were given.

As Jesus gets ready to enter Jerusalem He sends two of His disciples on ahead to get his limo ready. Well, it was more like the Gremlin of His day. Jesus uses every opportunity to build His disciple’s faith. And as the crowd builds and welcomes Him to Jerusalem, they are ready to make Him king. The Pharisees hear the shouts and are incensed, but Jesus rebukes them. As He sees the city, His heart is broken over their unbelief. He predicts the city’s destruction that happened in 70AD.

Even as the leaders are plotting to kill Jesus, He continues to teach right in their midst. He does not run from what He knows will end in His death. He continues to be faithful to fulfill the Father’s will for His life. He calls out their sin and disrupts their corruption of the Temple courts. Jesus calls them to return the Temple to its rightful place and purpose in their lives.

The people respond to His message. They wanted what He was offering, at least they thought they did. A few days later they would be calling for His crucifixion, but this day they hung on His words.