Chapter 19

The setup for chapter 19 begins in the ending of the previous chapter. Jesus’ teaching about the Messiah through the use of parables culminates in the prophetic declaration about what is about to happen to him. The disciples once again had trouble understanding what Jesus was talking about. Luke indicates that the message of the cross and resurrection was hidden from them. The revelation was seen by a blind man begging on the road to Jericho. This blind man recognizes the Messiah while the other missed it.

Messianic Authority

Jericho forms the scene for the next Messianic revelation. This time the once who sees is a sinner, a tax collector (one of the unclean) named Zacchaeus. We told that this was man of little standing in the community, and in fact, “little standing” in his stature. Zacchaeus made his living collecting taxes for Rome and acquired his wealth by dishonest means. This sinner recognizes the Messiah in his presence. Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree that he climbed and invited himself to dinner.

This story continues the unfolding of the Messianic identity in Jesus. In the encounter with the Messiah, Zacchaeus finds himself forgiven for the past life of theft and extortion. Zacchaeus also demonstrates the appropriate response to such grace – repentance in the form of generosity. “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Forgiveness is met with response in the form of action. It is a strong emphasis of Luke’s that the poor are taken care of as was reflected as far back as the Magnificat. Zacchaeus responded by making Jesus’ priority (God’s priority) his own.

Jesus’ phrase, “Today salvation has come to this house because he too is a son of Abraham,” opens the door for both the children of Abraham and the “lost”. It was to such as these the Jesus; the Messiah (Son of Man) came to seek.

Parable of Coming Kingdom

Two elements are important: 1) the proximity to Jerusalem. Everything of deep spiritual importance for the children of Israel happens in Jerusalem the home of the Temple and the priesthood; 2) the timing of the kingdom. There were many who thought the kingdom would be imminent. Jesus tells the story of a nobleman who goes seeking his power. He summons 10 slaves and gave them each “ten pounds” with to do the business of this nobleman. We’re told that the foreigners didn’t appreciate his presence. We’re also told that he achieved royal power. Upon his return Luke wants us to know that the nobleman has the power to deal with business. This nobleman has the power and authority to call the slaves to account for the expenditures, and in fact the use of the 10 pounds put in their care. The parable unfolds as it does in the other synoptic accounts. The first has earned an addition 10 pounds with the investment of the original 10. He is rewarded with 10 cities to rule. The second earned 5 and is rewarded with authority over 5 cities. The third was afraid and wrapped up the money without using it. This slaves is afraid because “you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow”. This man receives the reward of a harsh man. The outcome is this, “take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds. Jesus speaks, “I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” There is a confusing kind of justice unfolded in Jesus statement. Perhaps the confusion lies in our understanding of “have”. We are acclimated to see the “haves” and the “have nots”.

Let’s ask ourselves, what do the “haves” have? They have their place in the order of all things. They are slaves. They have what has been given to them, 10 pounds of someone else’s money. They have the responsibility to use the pounds in the absence of the nobleman. They have a commission to use what has been given them. There is not distinction among the “haves” regarding how much they have. Each has been commissioned to use what have has been given.

Now, what distinguished the one as a “have not”? Only one thing stands out, a paralysis that came from being afraid. He did not fulfill his commission because he was afraid. Those who acted without fear using the gifts found the fulfillment of their commission at the nobleman’s return. The one “have” that the third man lacked was trust. They acted upon what had been asked of them he retreated in fear.

In the conclusion of the parable Jesus also remarks about the destruction of those who rejected his authority. They were to find their end.

The point of the parable is twofold: First, it is about accepting the power and authority of the one who comes, the Messiah, Jesus. Second, the response to the authority is acceptance of the person, the power and the authority. Faithful to accept will find only rejection.

On To Jerusalem

The Messiah enters the Holy City. The final scene of the story is about to unfold. Jesus enters the city as the Messiah, humble and riding the donkey. The crowds accept him and greet as though he were the Messiah; the establishment plots to kill him. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem for not having recognized what God had put before them in his coming. He mourns for them because the truth has been hidden from them for so long, and mourns that the city, and with it the temple and their entire faith establishment as they know will be taken away.

Jesus begins the process by his judgment of the commerce taking place in the temple precincts. They have turned the house of prayer into a den of robbers. His judgment drew theirs as they sought everyday to find the way to kill him.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009