Luke - Curiosity Rewarded

Luke 19:1  And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  

Jesus passed through Jericho, the destroyed city that Joshua cursed.  

Josh 6:26  And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Luke 19:2  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  

A rich young man, a tax collector who was rich.

Luke 19:3  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Luke 19:4  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  

He was determined to see Jesus, even climbing high into a Sycamore tree.

Luke 19:5  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.  

If we look for Jesus we will find him and he will come into your house, in a spiritual sense, he now comes to us in the Holy Spirit, within our innermost being.

Luke 19:6  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  

He was so happy to be received by Jesus, just as we were when we received him.

Luke 19:7  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  

Well, we were all sinners when Jesus came to us, so why judge?

Luke 19:8  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.  

Zacchaeus was moved to repentance, so wanting to be accepted by Jesus. How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but here is one. He gave away half of his wealth to the poor and was willing to restore fourfold to any one he had lied to. Tax collectors made their wages by adding a fee to the taxes.

Luke 19:9  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  

Jesus honored this repentant Jew with salvation, he received the one who was promised to the Jews and entered the kingdom of God. There was another rich young man who wanted to enter the kingdom. He came to Jesus saying he kept all the laws, but he was covetous.  

Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Two rich young men, both wanted etermal life, one was repentant giving up wealth, he was received with joy. The other left in sadness, not wanting to give up his earthly treasures. 

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  

We should never judge sinners, but we should show them Jesus. The kingdom of God is at hand, all who are willing to leave all behind may enter in, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Mark 10:29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mark 10:30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses,and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mark 10:31  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.