Lesson 26

I.       Observation

A.     Outline

Healing A Blind Beggar (18:35-43)

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (19:1-10)

Parable of the Ten Minas (19:11-27)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

Son of David, faith, glorifying God, Zacchaeus, sinner, salvation, son of Abraham, Son of Man, seek, save, Jerusalem, kingdom of God, minas, earned, faithful, has/does not have.

II.    Segment Analysis

1. Like the disciples who forbid the little children (18:15), these people might have felt that the man was not important enough to warrant Jesus’ attention. They did not share Jesus’ compassion and concern for the needy.

2. The blind man knew that Jesus was the “Son of David,” the Messiah. Despite his blindness, he made known to the people that Jesus was the Messiah.

3. He believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, who had power and mercy to heal him. Although he was warned to be quiet, he was persistent in his plea .

4. These words expressed Jesus’ humility. He was ready to serve the blind man’s needs.

5a. See verse 43. Notice that the miracle and the blind man’s action led to the people’s praise.

5b. Just as the blind man loudly proclaimed God’s glory, we should become witnesses for the Lord after we have received His mercy. Out of our gratitude, we should become His follower to be close to Him and serve Him.

6a. From the way he joyfully received Jesus to his house and his response to the Lord’s salvation, we know that his desire to see the Lord was more than out of curiosity. He was aware of his sinful past and was hoping to receive the Lord’s forgiveness and salvation.

6b. Just as Zacchaeus was eager to see Jesus and overcame all obstacles, we should also seek the Lord with such persistence and urgency.

7. He ran; He climbed (4). He made haste and received Jesus joyfully (6). Upon hearing the people’s complaint, he stood up and promised the Lord that he would rectify his mistakes (8). In our relationship with the Lord, we must be quick to respond to His call and to accompany our faith with immediate actions (cf. Song 1:4; Ps 119:60).

8. They did not think that it was right for Jesus to associate with such a notorious sinner, who became rich through cheating and extortion.

9a. He was willing to give his possessions to the poor and repay those he had cheated four times the amount (the OT law required only one-fifth in addition to the full amount; cf. Lev 5:16; Num 5:7). His determination to make restitutions shows that he was bearing fruit in keeping with repentance (Lk 3:8).

9b. Upon receiving Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus gladly gave up his possessions to make right the wrongs he had done. Unlike the rich ruler, his riches did not hinder him from entering God’s kingdom, for he forsook all things for the sake of Christ.

10. Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus (19:5), for He knew that Zacchaeus eagerly hoped to see Him. Then the Lord called him and said that He must stay at his house. Zacchaeus knew that he was the chief of sinners. Yet, of all people, he was given the privilege to receive Jesus. The fact that the Lord chose him and stayed with him must have touched him deeply and led him to repentance.

12a. The Lord Jesus.

12b. Followers of Christ.

12c. Those who reject Jesus as King. They may refer specifically to the Jews who would put Jesus to death. But they can also include everyone, both then and now, who refuse to accept Jesus Christ.

13. The Lord Jesus has received all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18). After His ascension, he poured out the Holy Spirit to establish the church as a spiritual kingdom in heaven (cf. Phil 3:20; Eph 2:6). He will then return to earth one day to exercise judgment. The term “far country” may suggest an apparent delay of the Lord’s return.

14a. The minas refers to the saving grace of God, which enables us to bear fruit (Jn 15:5,8,16). Having received God’s redemption and forgiveness, we should be faithful stewards, live a life pleasing to the Lord and fulfilling the commission of preaching the gospel.

15. First of all, his depiction of the master as someone who collects what he did not deposit and reap what he did not sow is far from the truth. The master has entrusted each servant with one mina, which afforded them the opportunity to earn more, even if the earning came from simply collecting interest. Secondly, the servant’s action of putting away the mina was inconsistent with his fear of the master. If he had truly feared his master, he would have made some effort to invest the mina. But he failed to do even the least.

16. When we make good use of the opportunity and talent the Lord has given us to carry out the Lord’s mission, the Lord will entrust us with even more gifts and greater responsibilities. But if we “put away” our God-given time and ability, the Lord will take away completely even the very opportunity to serve.

17. He gave the parable because the people thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately (11). The parable points out that there will be a period of seeming delay before the coming of Christ. It serves to teach the Lord’s disciples what we must do while we wait for His return.