Look at This! Your King is Coming to You!
Luke 19:1-48
Sometimes children, teens and adults like to make fun of others. Was there something about you that other kids made fun of? [my broken tooth]
Sometimes the teasing crosses the line into bullying. Were you bullied? Did you befriend someone strong to be your rescuer?
In Luke 19, in the first few verses, we meet a man who may have been teased or bullied throughout his life. [Read 19:1-4]
If Zacchaeus was always smaller than the others, he was probably teased, and maybe the victim of bullies.
But he found a way to get his revenge. He found a powerful ally; the Roman government needed tax collectors and it could be a lucrative job…
Zacchaeus rose to “chief tax-collector” so he had other officials under him. He had authority and substantial wealth. He was protected by a strong ally – Rome. It didn’t matter to Zacchaeus that his own people despised him as a traitor. He felt like they’d always despised him anyway. He just found a way to take it to the bank.
He lived and worked in the city of Jericho, about 12 miles to the northwest of Jerusalem. He’d been hearing about a remarkable man who was a great teacher, worked miracles and was so gracious to outcasts and sinners.
Now, Zacchaeus hears this man is coming to his town and he’s eager to get a glimpse of him, much as we like to get close to celebrities. But Zacchaeus got more than he expected.
The Jewish people were also bullied – by Rome. They hoped for a powerful friend – their long-expected Messiah, a king who would come and beat up the bully and give them independence, dignity, prosperity and peace.
The good news is, their Deliverer is arriving. He is Christ Jesus.
Our key verse this morning is; "Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!" (Luke 19:38, NLT)
Our King will arrive at just the right time.
At His first arrival, angels welcomed him… "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors." (Luke 2:14, NLT)
Upon His arrival in Jerusalem, His subjects welcomed him, singing from Psalm 118, “Hosanna! O LORD, save us… Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”
And there will be a day when He comes again. He will be welcomed by the shout and trumpet of the archangel. And every knee will bow in reverence, and every tongue will acknowledge, “Jesus Christ is indeed Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.
In the meantime, the King comes to us in the form of frequent invitations by the Holy Spirit…
• To love Him…
• To worship Him…
• To serve Him…
• To receive Him…
How do we welcome Him?
The stories in Luke 19 teach us.
Let’s get back to story of Zacchaeus. He shows us the first of five ways to welcome our King.
First, welcome Him personally with a changed life.
We left Zacchaeus in a tree waiting for Jesus.
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus & called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today." Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
But the people were displeased and grumbled, "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner." (Luke 19:5-7)
Do you ever feel a little disappointed that the Lord is good to people you don’t think deserve it? That’s the nature of grace; it is not deserved. Be glad; otherwise you wouldn’t get it either. None of us deserve His kindness.
The next verse tells us something remarkable.
Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" (Luke 19:8)
Here’s where Zacchaeus shows us how to welcome our King.
First, he believed in Jesus as Messiah/Savior, as his Lord/King. How do I know that? The passage doesn’t say that he believed. Well, yes, it does. Look at verse 9; Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost." (Luke 19:9-10, NLT)
Jesus and the biblical writers do not contradict each other. Paul wrote in Gal 3:6-7, "’Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.”
The NT teaches salvation…
• Does not come to us by good works.
• Does come to us as the gift of God’s grace, received by faith in Jesus.
• And then, righteous living grows out of that relationship.
That’s what happened to Zacchaeus. He believed, then gave evidence by his changed life.
He decided that storing up huge treasures on earth was no longer his highest value. He repented of greed and self-indulgence, deciding instead to be generous. He did not put it all in his will, so the poor would benefit by what’s left over when he no longer needed it. He said, “here & now I give half of my possessions to the poor.”
That’s not all he planned to give away because he also repented of corruption and dishonesty. The evidence would be making restitution to everyone he’d cheated. He would not just give back to them what he’d taken but would make restitution the Mosaic Law required of thief (Exod. 22). He would have to go back to his records, and may have to go back a long way. He knew he may no longer be a rich man, in the world’s wealth. But he wanted to be rich in the things of the Spirit.
Zacchaeus shows us that we don’t welcome our King only with words. Repentance requires proper action – a change life. For Zacchaeus, the two changes that would give the best evidence of repentance were generous benevolence and restitution.
For you, what change in life would be the best evidence of salvation?
Do that, and you welcome, you honor your King.
Second, welcome Him with patient and faithful service.
In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus told a parable to correct 3 wrong expectations.
One was that this is the time for Messiah to rise to his glory. The crowds were gathering as he moved toward Jerusalem. They thought he’s now going to establish the reign of God on earth and take his place as King.
But they were wrong. He must go to his heavenly glory, then return later as King.
Another expectation was that the apostles will be exalted with Him to rule like princes.
But they were wrong. Christ’s servants would have humble work to do, and their own crosses to bear. Then they have to give account.
Finally, they expect the nation will recognize their King and gladly submit to His reign.
But again, they’re wrong. They will reject and oppose Him. Jesus is not the king they want.
In the parable, a nobleman is called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. That’s about to happen to Jesus. He will be executed, raised then ascend to right hand of God, to return later.
In the meantime, he entrusts his servants to care for his business here. Some will be faithful and patient in caring for his work. Others don’t want to be his subjects. They’ll reject him.
When he returns, the ones who’ve been faithful will be glad to see him and will get their proper reward. The ones who’ve rejected his reign will also get their proper reward.
So, the point of Jesus’ parable is this. Even while we don’t see Him; while we await His arrival, we must welcome His reign with patient, faithful service.
Are you getting discouraged with life as it is? Are you having trouble keeping up the faith and the life of patient obedience? Have you grown cold in spirit, lacking submission to your King and the work He’s given you to do? Listen to this…
“Dear children, continue [abide, endure] in him, so that when he appears you may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28, NIV)
Third, welcome Him with joy-filled worship.
The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. (Luke 19:37, NIV)
Luke 19:28-40 tells the wonderful story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
There’s a buzz spreading thru the city and surrounding area; Jesus is coming into the Holy City. It’s like someone ignited a “flash mob” and the crowd is swelling.
It’s the strangest thing. This parade is starting to resemble the arrival of a beloved and victorious king. But there’s something wrong with the whole scene. The King is wearing no crown. He’s wearing no gleaming armor and carrying no weapons. There are no trumpets sounding. And strangest of all, He’s riding on little donkey.
Still, the people wave their palm branches, lay cloaks on road, cheer and shout praise to Him. Even if they misunderstand His mission and many will turn against Him thru the week, they are rightly praising and welcoming the King. And He accepted their worship.
Those who resisted Him and refused to recognize this King responded with resentment and anger: Jesus has been openly critical of their legalism and hypocrisy.
They responded with jealousy. He’s too popular with the people. They’d rather hear Him teach than hear their teachers of the law.
They responded with fear. This commotion could ruin their Passover celebration if the Romans think they need to quiet a “rebellion”.
So, they told Jesus, “Make these people be quiet.”
Paraphrasing Jesus’ response; “I could, but it’s time for the created to praise the Creator. If these people are quiet, nature itself will raise its voice in outbreaks of worship. The rocks themselves will call out.”
"If these people keep quiet, the stones themselves will burst into cheers and praise!" (Luke 19:40)
In fact, that did happen on Friday when everyone else fell silent.
It was the right time for Jesus to receive his praise. Its pressure was building, like molten lava, will find channel to release and burst out. The Bible says all creation does praise and glorify the Creator, all the time.
We must also. Don’t let rocks and rivers, birds and beasts take your place. Don’t respond like those who resist the King and silence His worship.
Don’t let your praise be silenced by fear, being so afraid of people or problems that intimidate you, so that your attention is given to reciting the threats instead of reviewing His promises and hope.
Greet your King every day as those worshipers in Jerusalem on that day…
"Hosanna!" Savior!”
"Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King!"
“Glory in the highest and peace to all who receive His favor!"
Don’t let worship fall silent because of a cold, hard heart, like Pharisees & others who resist God’s Word. Don’t be like them, deceived and thinking you’re right with God because…
• You’ve locked on to some religious traditions or habits, or…
• You’re satisfied with unbiblical ideas about what it takes to be His child.
Repent of that. Let the pulse of God’s grace and truth flow into your cold, hard heart. Rise with the chorus, give glory to the King with a sincere and joyful heart.
At the Mt. of Olives, the Holy City spread before Jesus in a panoramic view. While the people praised him with joy, He wept; not for what awaited Him, but He wept for them; for their willful blindness and hardness of heart.
Fourth welcome Him with eyes wide open.
It says in Luke 19:41, “…as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city, he began to weep. 42 "I wish that today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and …close in on you. 44 They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you." (Luke 19:41-44, NLT)
Are your eyes open to welcome your King? Or are you still rejecting God’s invitation?
Fifth, welcome Him with hunger for His word.
Luke 19:45 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants… 46 He told them, “The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."
Merchants were selling sacrificial animals to pilgrims who came to the temple to worship. Some of them came from long distances, bringing their own animals. But the High Priest’s inspectors rejected theirs as inferior. So they had to buy his at inflated prices. It was a corrupt system. There was nothing in this that resembled the heart and holiness of the God they came to worship. So Jesus was rightly angry.
47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and other leaders… began planning how to kill him. 48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. (Luke 19:47-48)
What’s your temperature when it comes to passion for God’s word?
Throughout biblical history and the history of the church, a premier characteristic of spiritually renewed and spiritually alive followers of Jesus is their insatiable hunger for Scripture.
Are you infected with that? If not, pray that you will be and start taking advantage of opportunities to hear, to read, to study the Bible. A little exposure will stir your appetite and ignite a love for more.
Do you avoid the Scriptures because you find them boring or too complicated? Ask Spirit to teach you. You’ll be surprised at what you see, hear and understand.
He is the King of all kings and your rightful response is to welcome, to embrace Him. You do that:
1. with a changed life.
2. with patient, faithful service.
3. with joy-filled worship.
4. with eyes wide open.
5. with hunger for His word.
