The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “Jesus entered and passed through Jericho, and, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at your house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully”, and in chapter nineteen and verse seven of his book Luke shared when the people in the crowd “saw it, they all murmured” where we read:
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying,
That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
The verse reads, “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “they saw it” which means “the people in the crowd observed and notice Jesus going to Zacchaeus' house”, “they all murmured” or “the people each, every, the whole and everyone of them began to indignantly complain”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how the people within the multitude observe Jesus going to “Zaccheus' house” and began complaining indignantly.
The verse goes on to say, “... That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” Luke continued with the words, “that he was gone to be guest” or “that Jesus went to and entered as one who lodges” “with a man” which means “alongside a male human being” “that is a sinner” or “who is devoted to sin, pre-eminently sinful and especially wicked and heathen”. Luke shared how the crowd was indignant because Jesus went as an invitee and visitor to the home of a man who was “especially wicked and sinful”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn what the reaction of the multitude was to Jesus going to “Zacchaeus' house”. They began to “indignantly complain” about Jesus going there because “Zaccheaus” was a well-known sinner. God loves “sinners”, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the “sins” of everyone. Those who believe and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins regardless of how great those sins are, and those who are wise will yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” regardless of what others proclaim about them.
Next time Luke shares how Zacchaeus says, “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.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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