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God's Plan, Your Part
Discover God's plan for your life with this daily Bible reading podcast.
Ryan and Jenny Zook lead a valuable daily devotional bible study with historical background, theology, and practical applications. This year we will be covering the whole New Testament, one chapter at a time.
This podcast brings the word of God to life. Whether starting from the first episode or just jumping in, this is an inspiring and enlightening way to deepen your understanding of scripture. We delve into a different passage daily and share how its teachings can impact your daily life. Start listening right now.
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God's Plan, Your Part
Luke 19 | Zacchaeus' True Repentance and What is the Meaning of the Ten Minas?
In Luke 19, Jesus' Kingdom becomes more and more obvious. Zacchaeus's radical transformation sets the scene for a discussion on discipleship that goes against the grain. We contrast his compelling narrative with the rich young ruler who couldn't part with his wealth, illustrating the divergent paths one can take when facing the call of Jesus. And if you think managing money is purely a modern-day challenge, our deep dive into the parable of the ten minas will reveal timeless truths about divine expectations and our duty to steward what's entrusted to us.
Jesus surprises Zacchaeus by inviting himself to his home, sparking criticism from the crowd who sees Zacchaeus as a sinner. However, Zacchaeus repents, promising to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated. Through this encounter, Jesus emphasizes the transformative power of repentance and redemption, showcasing his authority to change hearts and lives. Additionally, Jesus tells a parable about nobleman who goes away to receive a kingdom, and upon his return, rewards his faithful servants and punishes those who rejected his authority. This story underscores the importance of obedience to Christ as king, highlighting the consequences of accepting or rejecting his lordship over our lives.
Continuing on his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus instructs his disciples to fetch a colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah, who foretold the coming of a king riding on a donkey. As Jesus rides into the city, the crowds rejoice, shouting "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" This declaration of Jesus as king disturbs the religious leaders, who demand that Jesus rebuke his disciples. However, Jesus responds, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Here, Jesus boldly proclaims his kingship, affirming that even nature itself recognizes his authority. This moment serves as a pivotal point in Jesus' ministry, as he openly reveals his identity as the long-awaited Messiah and rightful king.
In the latter part of Luke 19, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, foreseeing its destruction due to its failure to recognize him as the source of peace. He laments the city's rejection of God's offer of salvation, emphasizing the tragic consequences of refusing to acknowledge his kingship. Jesus then enters the temple, driving out the money changers and merchants who had turned it into a marketplace. He denounces their exploitation of God's house, declaring, "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers." Through these actions, Jesus asserts his authority as king not only over individ
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-Ryan and Jenny
Hey everyone, welcome to God's Plan, your Part, year 2, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's Plan and your part in it.
Speaker 2:Today we are looking at Luke, chapter 19, and I think probably a front and center theme is what it is like for Jesus to be the King in your life. We start out with a story of Zacchaeus being obedient to King Jesus. We see a story about people who are unfaithful to their king and finally Jesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, proclaiming that he is king, but not like anybody understood or believed. There's plenty to unpack here in Luke 19, and it'll be interesting to go through these stories well, I think Zacchaeus is actually super refreshing.
Speaker 1:I feel like Jesus is oftentimes giving this message of like, give to the poor. Or even just yesterday, we talked about that man who was requested by Jesus to come and follow him and he's like well, what is it going to cost? Me and it literally cost him everything and he wasn't willing to budge. But Zacchaeus, on the other hand, not only is he giving what is it half of his things to the poor, Four times, oh, four times.
Speaker 2:He says he'll give half of what he owns to the poor and he'll give back four times what he stole.
Speaker 1:So that was the kicker part for me. So not only is he giving things away, but he's also essentially like asking forgiveness and giving back what he had taken from others already.
Speaker 2:It's a bummer, that many of us, when we think about Zacchaeus, we're like, oh yeah, the short guy. But actually he's probably one of the best examples of repentance Maybe not the best, but he's a fantastic example of repentance in the New Testament because he wants to see Jesus, because he wants to be obedient to Jesus and he understands and puts in place the things that Jesus has been teaching. And it is extreme Like I could see Zacchaeus being counseled by his squishy Christian friends. Like Zacchaeus, like the Bible doesn't actually mean you have to give away half your things to the poor. You got to keep some for yourself.
Speaker 1:I think it's a big deal too. He's also a chief tax collector. This is no little thing. I feel like this job is probably. I don't know. It's pretty high ranking and he is setting the tone. Essentially, we don't know how many people he would have impacted by his decision, but I'm sure people he rubbed shoulders with were like wait, you did what. And it's shocking, but what a cool testimony to the faith that he had in Jesus and his willingness to truly just set aside his worldly possessions for the sake of the gospel.
Speaker 2:Please understand that a tax collector like the Romans needed Jewish people to collect Roman taxes from Jewish people. So they were essentially traitors to their people and the way they made a living was to just steal more than what was owed. So we don't want to gloss over the fact that he was a wicked man. For a long time he was a wicked man. He stole a lot of money from his people. He was not a good guy. It makes sense that when people saw Jesus wanting to hang out with him, they were frustrated because he wasn't a good guy. He stole from all of his people. The people that are frustrated with Jesus going to speak to him are people that have been defrauded by Zacchaeus action to his repentance.
Speaker 2:This is not cheap discipleship. This is like oh, it's actually going to cost me dollars and cents to follow Jesus. I want to make sure that I spend every single one so that my life is in complete alignment with the teachings of Jesus, the expectations of the kingdom of God. Here we see Zacchaeus becoming a member of the kingdom of God, joyfully giving up his possessions to go and follow Christ. I love that you pointed out the rich young ruler from yesterday and I would not have put these two stories together, but they're a fantastic two stories to piece together, because yesterday we saw this guy refusing because of his worthless possessions and today we see somebody who freely gives up his possessions to get a chance to follow Jesus. It's pretty cool.
Speaker 1:So I bet this is a pretty refreshing thing for Jesus as well, because I don't know, I can't remember a lot of people that he calls out and says, do this, and they're willing to just leave and or get rid of whatever the thing is that Jesus is asking of them. So I imagine, in like Jesus' ministry, he's very well aware of every person he's that Jesus is asking of them. So I imagine, in like Jesus' ministry, he's very well aware of every person he's going to come in contact with.
Speaker 1:I wonder if it's just like in his mind, like, oh yes, that Zacchaeus guy can't wait to interact with him, like that's so exciting. It probably like touched his heart in a way.
Speaker 2:This is probably like a little bit of extra credit, but the way the story is set up is that you do feel like Zacchaeus is kind of on the outskirts of the crowd and he climbs up this tree to be able to see Jesus.
Speaker 2:And Jesus knows where he is, he knows his name, he knows who he is, he knows how to find him immediately because, of course, he's God. But it does feel like it's very purposeful that he wants to find Zacchaeus, to allow Zacchaeus this opportunity to follow him and to have repentance. So I think Zacchaeus is a fantastic example for all of us to be completely obedient to what Jesus teaches.
Speaker 1:Especially being such an unlikely individual for that 100%.
Speaker 1:So now we're moving into the next part of Luke 19, which is talking about this parable of the 10 minas. So this is actually a pretty confusing parable if you're not really, I guess you're not sure of who these different people are. So essentially, there is this person who is like this nobleman, he's kind of like this guy in charge who is putting responsibility of his kingdom into the hands of 10 servants, and the 10 servants are really good to understand. This is because this is a parable, like you can look at it for face value, for what it says, with this actual nobleman giving responsibility, or you can also understand it as Jesus giving an example, through storytelling, of what our responsibility is as followers of Christ okay and what we are to do with the responsibility of being that. There's also another group of people that are listed in this parable that are called the citizens, who are representative of the Jews who would have been in direct opposition majority of them direct opposition of who Jesus was and what his mission was.
Speaker 2:I would clarify like the non-believing Jews like the people who are rejecting Jesus. So it's not necessarily everyone, it's just the people who have clearly rejected obedience to Christ.
Speaker 1:And I think there's a little bit of background you had mentioned this earlier when we were talking about this before we started the episode that there is good background to be aware of when you approach this parable too, because it can be a little confusing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's really important to get the context of the parable and it's really important to understand who Jesus is speaking to. So he's telling this story to set up what he wants to teach and he's speaking to his disciples. It's actually possible that Zacchaeus himself is there, but also at the same time, in the crowd would be the people who do not believe in him. They know they have rejected him and they are actively against him. So he tells this story and there is parts of this story that apply to everybody present.
Speaker 1:So then, when we move into the actual, like meaning of this parable, there are several individuals that are given this responsibility of the 10. One that takes it very seriously, or several that take it very seriously, one who does not take it seriously at all and is actually quite terrified of that responsibility, and it's kind of is actually quite terrified of that responsibility. It reminds me oftentimes of that putting your lamp under a bowl situation that's what that person reminds me of where they take their mina and they hide it away. Then there's others who are just like we're sick and tired of this, we don't want to even do this job, which I think kind of goes back to the citizens.
Speaker 2:Maybe so the the clear thing to look at is like every single person, every servant, is given responsibility and they are rewarded or disciplined based on how they handled the responsibility. So he calls together 10 servants and he says hey, I'm going to give each of you one mina, one of the. Then at the end of the story he brings together at least three of them. One of them has produced tenfold from his mina. Another one has produced fivefold from his mina. The other one was terrified of the master and probably like resented the master and hid the mina and produced nothing.
Speaker 2:And that's because the citizens I know you were like pointing out the citizens earlier they kind of resent the master, they resent the nobleman, they do not want to be under his authority because they believe that he is not good, they believe that he's a terrible master essentially. And what's interesting about this is that the parable shows us that they have a misunderstanding about the heart of the master, because the person who was faithful to the responsibility and produced a tenfold harvest is rewarded by the master. He actually tells him well done, good, servant, because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. So he's rewarded in a significant way, then the one that is fivefold. He is also commended. He is also rewarded in a significant way of being in charge of five cities and the wicked servant as well as the wicked citizens. They actually come under severe discipline because they have resented and misrepresented the master so badly.
Speaker 1:Is that the case for the one with only one? Yeah, it seems like his was just taken away and basically the Lord says, hey, you weren't responsible, so what you were given is given to someone else now.
Speaker 2:Right, exactly.
Speaker 1:Does he fall under the same punishment? I would assume that he falls under punishment because it says but yeah, but as for these, as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them.
Speaker 2:Bring them here and slaughter them before me.
Speaker 1:It makes me feel like there's still grace, perhaps for the one.
Speaker 2:Maybe I think the lesson to take out of this is that the one is not an example to follow. Right he is essentially the bad guy in the story because, he didn't understand that his master is actually a good master.
Speaker 2:Because, you can see, like the first two, they're like hey, I'm responsible with what you gave me and you have commended me and rewarded me, so, like, how does this apply to real life? That's the most important thing. One, the people that resent the master and hate the master and think that the master is wicked. Jesus is speaking to these non-believing people in the audience, basically correcting them and calling them out. But the disciples in the audience, the people who are obedient to Christ, he's essentially telling them like hey, I'm giving you responsibility and it's really important that you're faithful with the responsibility that you've been given.
Speaker 1:So that parable, I think you can probably do your own deep dive into it, like trying to understand its meaning, but I think we'll we'll give that one a rest for today. So after we read yesterday's chapter, jesus again foretelling his death Jesus is again foretelling his death. So now we move into this very iconic like days before Jesus is going to be crucified, his triumphal entry. So we go through this same story again of going down into the city and what's really sad to me is like what comes right after. So Jesus is very aware that although these people are so excited for him to come in, they like fully, I think, understand who he is, but have different expectations for what he will do for them. And then he weeps over Jerusalem because he understands and knows just how I guess I don't know they'll like turn on their head.
Speaker 2:Well, he actually talks about how not a single stone will be left on top of each other. He's talking about the destruction of Jerusalem. He's looking over Jerusalem, knowing that it will be destroyed in 70 AD, completely like the temple's torn down. The city is oppressed. He is speaking to that happening and he's sad about it.
Speaker 1:Maybe that's what leads him into the whole like clearing out the temple then too. Because, he's just like you know what it's going to be destroyed, but you're not going to stand around here and make it this horrible place, this den of robbers he calls it.
Speaker 2:He's fiercely obedient to God, the Father. He is God himself and he has zeal for the temple and wants the temple to be a place that honors God. And the temple currently, when he gets there, is not a place that's honoring God. It's full of people taking advantage of other people.
Speaker 1:Just like an emotional roller coaster. It feels like, though I can't imagine.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So on this note of what it's like to follow the king, zacchaeus is obedient to the king. He does what he has been called to do. The Minas story story is the two guys that are responsible and produce a harvest. They are obedient to the king. They're doing what the king has asked. What's really crazy is then we transition in this triumphal entry section. This is Palm Sunday. Jesus is declaring that he is the king. This is what's funny. It's interesting to me that people are so confused about the coming kingdom of God and then Jesus like rides in on a donkey, proclaiming himself the king. What he's doing is fulfilling Zechariah 9.9. And Zechariah 9.9 says your king is coming humble and mounted on a donkey. So this is not subtle and the people actually praise him as king moving in. So this kingdom idea is present throughout this chapter. I think it's really powerful, the imagery, and ultimately it should push us all to desire to be obedient to our king, who is a good king and rewards us when we are faithful to him.
Speaker 1:So I think it's definitely encouraging for us and something we can take away for your part for Luke 19 is to really take the responsibility of following Jesus seriously, whether it be if you're resonating with Zacchaeus and his willingness to just live this open-handed life of just giving up everything for the sake of Jesus and the gospel, or if it's to resonate with the one who had 10 minas, or the 10 minas and the one who was given the responsibility of so many more because of his I guess, his like passion for pursuing the Lord and the Lord's work. So take your faith seriously today. Hopefully this chapter was encouraging to you and just really understanding and resonating with the responsibility that we have as believers and followers of Christ. Thanks for listening with us today. We'll be back again tomorrow with Luke 20. Thanks for joining today's episode of God's Plan your Part, as always. Please consider partnering with us, as we are a listener-supported podcast that we hope to continue to grow with support from listeners just like you.
Speaker 2:We've made it super easy to partner with us, and you can support us by following the link in our show notes or our description.
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Speaker 2:Every little bit of this helps so much and we're so thankful for your support. With that in mind, here's today's reading, luke, chapter 19. He entered Jericho and was passing through and behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich, and he was seeking to see who Jesus was. But on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place he looked up and said to him Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today. So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled he has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord Behold, lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold. And Jesus said to him Today, salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham, for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.
Speaker 2:As they heard these things. He proceeded to tell a parable because he was near to Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said Therefore, a nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return, calling ten of his servants. He gave them ten minas and he said to them Engage in business until I come. But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying we do not want this man to reign over us.
Speaker 2:When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him saying Lord, your mina has made ten minas more. And he said to him Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in very little, you shall have authority. And he said to him, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow. He said to him I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant. You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank? And at my coming I might have collected it with interest.
Speaker 2:And he said to those who stood by Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas. And they said to him Lord, he has ten minas. I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given. But from the one who has not even that he has, will be taken away. But from the one who has not even that he has, will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me. And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Speaker 2:When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of the place called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples saying Go into the village in front of you. Where you are entering, you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why are you untying it, you shall say this the Lord has need of it. So those who were sent away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, why are you untying the colt? And they said the Lord has need of it. And they brought it to Jesus.
Speaker 2:And, throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it and as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road and as he was drawing near, already on the way down to the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him Teacher, rebuke your disciples. He answered. I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it saying Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace, but now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you because you did not know the time of your visitation. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them it is written my house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers. And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, your Part. Don't forget you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpart at gmailcom, as always. If you don't have a Bible or if you'd like to use the one that we use, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow. You.
