Read Luke 23:39-43

Obey Him

When Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off the ear of Malchus. The Lord then healed the high priest’s servant’s ear and He was led away. From that point up to His death, no one else acted on His behalf. Peter began to deny knowing Him. The council condemned Him. Pilate could not find any fault in Him, but still allowed Him to be murdered. Yes, many mourned for Him, but they were powerless to do anything against the Roman government and the Jewish authorities.

When Jesus was crucified, two criminals met the same fate. One of them mocked the Lord along with the crowd. Luke records the criminal’s blasphemous statement: “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us” (Luke 23:39). The other man, though he had mocked Jesus earlier, had a change of heart. He rebuked the blasphemer, then said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 24:42). Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 24:43).

Even while hanging in agony, Jesus showed compassion and love for His creation. Even of those who were actively murdering Him, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 24:34).

Friends, do you know what you are doing? Are you truly engaged in Bible study and faithful obedience? There are some who deny the necessity of baptism because of the thief on the cross. This man came to an understanding of what he needed and he did what he could when he could. Do you understand your need for Jesus? If you do, do what you can while you can! You have the ability to be immersed and serve Jesus now, so do it!

By rejecting the Lord’s command when you know what He said, you are denying Him as your Savior and putting yourself in an unenviable position (John 12:48; Matthew 10:32-33). He requires baptism and faithful obedience for salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Rev. 2:10). If you do not obey Him, He will not remember you in His kingdom (Heb. 5:9).

Read Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man, But A Spiritual Giant

Zacchaeus was a “chief tax collector, and he was rich” (Luke 19:2); in the eyes of other Jews, he was a traitor to the nation. Tax collectors had a reputation for dishonesty, for collecting more than was due and pocketing the difference. As a chief tax collector, he supervised the work of several publicans under him.

When Jesus came to Jericho, Zacchaeus was adamant about seeing Him. Wherever Jesus went, though, He attracted a large crowd, and Zacchaeus couldn’t see because “he was of short stature” (Luke 19:3). Often in children’s Bible classes a song is sung about this man: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.” Though he was short, he was determined. He decided to climb the sycamore tree just so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus.

The Lord looked up and saw Zacchaeus in the tree, and He told him that He would come to his house. So Zacchaeus came down and welcomed Jesus into his home, but this upset the crowds. They complained, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner” (Luke 19:7).

The tax collector, though, was a committed man. “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8). He was rich, but he was generous, and he was willing to correct any errors that he had committed unknowingly.

Jesus reinforced Zacchaeus’ desire to do right, declaring, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10).

Zacchaeus was a wee little man, but he was a spiritual giant, willing to help those in need and do right by his fellowman. How can you be more like Zacchaeus in your life?

Read Luke 18:9-14

Recognizing the Need

Jesus often taught through parables. These simple stories relayed important spiritual truths to the listeners. Many of the parables taught lessons about the kingdom of heaven; others were used to point out flaws in one’s attitude. In this particular parable, Jesus highlighted the difference in attitudes between a Pharisee who put his trust in how much better he was than other men, and a tax collector who recognized his great need.

The Pharisee, when he prayed, compared himself to other men. He listed a number of sins (or perceived sins) that he had avoided: “extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (Luke 18:11). He then extolled his own worth, saying, “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:12). It was almost as if he were telling God how great he was, instead of how great God is.

The tax collector, on the other hand, refused to even look up as he prayed. His prayer was simple and direct: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:14). He did not compare himself to other tax collectors who may have been cheating the people out of money. He did not tell God, “I might be a sinner, but at least I don’t sin like that!” He did not say, “Look how humble I am!”

No, he compared himself to the only thing that truly matters: God’s standard. When we stand before the Almighty, we will not be judged on a curve. We will not be compared to other men, no matter how good or bad they were or we were. We will be judged by the words of Christ (John 12:48). And we will be acquitted of our wrongdoings if we are in Christ (Romans 8:1).

The tax collector knew that he needed the mercy of God. Every single person alive today still needs that same mercy, and it is provided through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. It is provided only to those who are in Christ. And the Scriptures are clear how one accesses such a gracious blessing: through baptism into His death (Romans 6:3-4). Do you recognize your need? Are you in Christ?