1. OK, so we’re still in Jericho; and we hear about this rich tax collector named Zaccheaus. Of course, we need to understand that tax collectors usually became wealthy by overtaxing the poor and “skimming off the top” some money for themselves. Over time, this is a great way to become rich, while hurting a lot of people in the process.
2. If the Bible says you are short, you are short.
3. How about this guy? You have to give him some credit. The guy climbs a tree because He wants to see Jesus.
4. Imagine the scandal! Jesus wants to stay with this sinner, this guy who everyone probably hates. And Zaccheaus, well, do you think that he expected to be entertaining Jesus at his house?
5. People got mad because Jesus went to be with a sinner. I guess people expect holy people to roll with holy people…that’s what makes them holy-rollers.
6. Instantly, Zacchaeus REPENTS. He goes back to the error of his ways and decides that he needs to make things right. He decides to give half of what he has to the poor. You know Jesus loves that! And he also decides to repay everyone that he has cheated four times the value of what he took. This could very well bankrupt Zaccheaus, but he wants to follow Jesus. You’ve got to love his response…
7. Jesus tells him that he’s getting salvation. Repentance for salvation? Sounds like a deal that even a tax collector would accept.
8. So…Jesus tells this parable because people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Ok…
9. OK…it’s like “The Apprentice.” In this challenge, you get ten minas; and you need to invest it and make a profit. Got it.
10. In this story, the subjects didn’t want the guy to be king. Well, they couldn’t really stop him…
11. The challenge ended, and it was time for the apprentices to show what they had done. Contestant number one increased his minas 100%. Sweet. The reward is being able to manage ten cities. (Hey, on the show they get to run a Trump company.) The next guy increased his by 50% and got a pretty sweet gig himself. And then we get to the guy who is about to be “fired”…
12. This guy was afraid of the king, saying that he was hard. Hmm… I’m not sure, but it seems that he also implies that the king profits off of not doing much work. He hangs himself with those words.
13. The king says that he is a businessman, and the guy should have at least gotten some interest on the money. He then gives the winner his mina. Then the king says that those who have will be given more. Have what? Righteous deeds? And those who have nothing will be taken away. Is this about following God?
14. And then, for good measure, the king wants to have the people who didn’t want him to be king killed. Dude.
15. So…um…what does all this have to do with the kingdom of God coming?
