ODJ: tale of two rich men
October 21, 2011
Everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over (vv.29-30).
READ: Luke 18:18-30, 19:1-9
Many of us are familiar with the story of Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” (as the Sunday school song goes) who climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus passing by. However, Luke sets Zacchaeus’ story in close context to the story of another rich man—a young and wealthy leader who visited Jesus. The proximity of the two narratives highlights stark contrasts: • The young rich man believed he was righteous, stressing how he had “obeyed all [the] commandments” since he was young (18:21). Zacchaeus, however, said that if he had “cheated people on their taxes, he would give them back four times as much” (19:8). • The people believed the young rich man to be righteous and were sure that if he wasn’t close to God, nobody was (18:26), while nobody believed Zacchaeus was righteous, calling him a “notorious sinner” (19:7). • The young man wanted his wealth more than he wanted God. When Jesus invited him to give his money away and follow Him, he “became very sad, for he was very rich” (18:23). When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, however, he “quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy” (19:6). The only similarity between the two seems to be that they were both wealthy. Everything contrasted from there. And it becomes obvious that the primary issue wasn’t their money, but their heart. Jesus asked the young rich man to give away everything (an extreme request for a proud man who needed to see he wasn’t as righteous as he considered himself to be). But He didn’t ask Zacchaeus to give up anything. His only request was for an invitation to eat at his house.
After encountering real love and true righteousness, Zacchaeus repented willingly. —Winn Collier
Are you more like the rich young man (self-dependent) or Zacchaeus (quick to receive mercy)? Would God ask you to give away everything or to invite Him to dinner?
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