King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 8 notes
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Why would such a chief publican want to see Jesus?
These publicans were public enemy no. 1. Yet somewhere in their hearts 💕 they longed to do what was right.
They had a place for God in their hearts, just that the system offered them the opportunity to get ahead by foul means.
But they had that desire for God still in their heart.
Hence Jesus was able to reach out to them.
Of course, not all of them had this desire. As disciples, we reach out to all without prejudice, but in wisdom.
4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
He ran before; being the shrewd businessman he was, he ran ahead of the pack, prepared as he waited for the opportunity.
Secondly, how that a rich man like Zacchaeus was not bothered about keeping up appearances, but could climb 🧗♂️ a tree 🎄 and join the ordinary folks and seek to see Jesus.
That tells you about his personality — he was willing to stoop low in order to get what he wanted.
Jesus was indeed a big deal 🤝 for him to attract such a following. And for his stature to cause Zacchaeus to do all these.
And indeed there is no shame in doing the most base of things in order to see God... To see the Son of God 🙂
5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Oh, I can imagine the pride he must have had to not just catch a glimpse of the Son of God but to host him as well.
Oh, what an honour.
6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
😢 I can imagine the joy of Zacchaeus and the honour brought to him by Jesus visiting and dining at his house.
I can imagine the bragging rights, especially before his friends, as they discuss how he managed to get this all-popular prophet, the acclaimed Messiah, to his house.
What a story he would have to tell his friends,
when they enquire as to how he managed to get to host Jesus.
7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Once more Zacchaeus hits the nail on the head and cements his name in the annals of history and Christianity, and till today we tell the story of Zacchaeus.
He must indeed have been very rich to give half his goods to the poor and restore fourfold the things he had taken.
He indeed was very rich, and that also goes to show that when he took anything not due him, he did not just spend it, but he multiplied it.
An interesting man he was.
9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
The kingdom should suddenly appear; they knew what the scriptures talk about concerning the Christ coming in the clouds 🌥 of glory.
But Jesus knew that time was not yet due.
But then why is it that Jesus says the kingdom of God cometh not with observation, but it's in our hearts?
Because the kingdom of God is us and the people and the earth 🌎, which would be inherited by the righteous.
That is the kingdom. It is not just his glorious appearing that makes the kingdom — that appearing is only descriptive of how he comes in grand style to inherit the kingdom.
But in reality we build and prepare the kingdom for him to inherit and sit on his throne as king 👑, for he is worthy.
As I typed these words, I said in my heart ♥ that, Oh God, I want to be a builder and contributor of the kingdom of God, so Christ comes to inherit of my works.
I also want to build the kingdom.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25( And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.