Category: Harmony of the Gospels

It’s interesting that John tells us about “some Greeks” who worshipped at the festival. These were not Jews, but (according to the NIV Study Bible notes) people who were “attracted to Judaism by its monotheism and morality, but repelled by its nationalism and requirements such as circumcision.” These seems to describe many who want the apparently positive things about Christianity, but want to pick and choose the parts they like best to shape and mold their own religion. Perhaps this describes the “coexist” crowd or the unitarian church.

They want to see Jesus, no doubt his fame spread, stories about his words and works.  They don’t know this is his last week among them physically. Jesus provides a synopsis of what is about to happen and what must be done to secure eternal life.

Jesus’ focus is on being obedient, “Father glorify your name!” Then a voice is heard from heaven: “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Some heard thunder, others the voice of an angel, all heard something.

Jesus goes on to explain this death and resurrection with an important emphasis for the Greeks who are looking for answers:

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself

All people, Jew, Gentile, Greeks, even Americans–all people.

In one week we will celebrate Christmas. For me, it’s really not important if this is the actual birthday of Jesus, only that we celebrate he was born on earth through the virgin Mary as prophesied. That he came for us to be our savior. Jesus came to draw all people to him. It is nothing less than amazing. While this is hard to believe for many, may we who believe be given the gift of sharing his love through Christmas.

The Parable of the Talents (bags of gold in NIV 2011) and Ten Minas have many similarities that might be summarized by saying, doing nothing is unacceptable. Do something with what you’ve been given.

Resources (talents) + Labor (work) + Time = Profit^[1]

From the reference in Bible.org we see a formula for the adage I grew up with. I can still hear my dad saying, “work hard, the cream will always rise to the top.” Whether profit or cream, working hard is just the way we’re designed. Add integrity to that principle and I believe you have a faithful formula for life.

Integrity * (Resources + Labor + Time) = Greater Profit

Not to get all geeky with formulas, I just think it’s important to include integrity in the equation. Do what you said you would do. Walk with integrity.

This morning, my focus is not so much on the servants that did something, but on the one who buried his talent or hid his mina. Is there integrity if you say, “I will do nothing,” and then follow through and do nothing? While that might be consistent, Jesus is pretty clear here, that is unacceptable. Each has been given something, some talent, some ability–do something!

In our star-studded culture that thrives on self-centered comparisons this might be difficult to appreciate. But fame and fortune are fleeting in this life. The purpose of the parables is not to applaud our business savvy, rather it’s to get us thinking about the eternal future, preparing us for far greater things. Take a look at the introductory words in Luke:

While they were listening to this [For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost], he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.

They, or in this case, we, were just reading about Zacchaeus and how Jesus has come to seek and save the lost when he expands the concept with this parable. The stakes are eternally high. Some will be gained into the kingdom and some will be lost forever. We have a responsibility to grow the kingdom with God’s inspiration and help. Here’s the compelling part of the story: we can do something, we can have a positive impact! We don’t know when Jesus will return again, so stop trying to figure that out and do something with what we’ve been given, whatever time we have in this life, let’s use it for great gain in the name of Jesus.

 

 

^[1]See Bible.org post (in detail)

*mina == about three months’ wages

One of the favorite stories for children’s pastors, the imagery of this story is fascinating. Zacchaeus is a short man physically and a wealthy man despised by many. As a chief tax collector, he was the tax collector’s tax collector! We’ve read many times that tax collectors were not well thought of, so here we have even more reason to appreciate the predicament.

He wanted to see who Jesus was…so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him

The first thing that strikes me is that this wealthy man has to resort to a child-like endeavor to see Jesus. He doesn’t have friends to lift him up nor relations with officials that would arrange a meeting (initially, he just wanted to see who Jesus was). Instead, this not-so-young man has to climb a tree along the route.

The rest of the story provides some insight. Something has happened to Zacchaeus that motivated his actions. This wasn’t just a siting of someone walking by, I believe Zacchaeus was much more hopeful than that. I think he was presenting himself as a child to Jesus, not because he read the scripture (that didn’t exist in printed form), not because he was checking a checklist, but because he was truly humble and saw this opportunity to change his life walking his direction.

Jesus immediately picks up the story and as usual does the remarkable and extraordinary:

Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.

There’s no indication that they had met before this or any explanation that Jesus knew Zacchaeus in human terms, but here we see Jesus calling him by name as he’s perched in a tree. Perhaps Zacchaeus was that well known and perhaps he was feared to some degree since we see no direct words toward him, just muttering.  Yet there is no embarrassment or shame. Zacchaeus shimmies down the tree and welcomes Jesus gladly! As the people begin to mutter, he says to Jesus he will give away half of his possessions to the poor and 4x to any he has cheated…before Jesus utters a word about salvation.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Here we are referred back to Ezekiel 34:11-16, part of the prophecy that proclaims the Lord will be Israel’s shepherd. Jesus is on a mission to seek and save the lost and Zacchaeus provides a perfect lesson: humble yourself before the Lord and he will save you.

We are commanded to take up that mission and continue to seek those who are far from Christ, those who don’t know. Lord help us to see these opportunities to look beyond what the world sees, straight to the heart.