Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Ruler

GOLDEN TEXT: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” —Matthew 6:33

MARK 10:17-22; LUKE 19:1-10

JESUS said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) To deny self includes the surrender of everything which one possesses. It means to give up one’s own will and to be governed by the will of the Lord. It means the giving up of earthly treasures in order to lay up treasures in heaven. It means, as our Golden Text states it, to seek first “the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” with the understanding that all our earthly needs will be supplied according as God sees best.

Two men are brought to our attention in this lesson who sought to be followers of the Master, but their reactions to the opportunity of sacrifice were quite different. The young man of Mark 10:17-22 was earnest enough in seeking eternal life through Jesus, and inquired what he must do in order to obtain it. This man according to his own testimony, had kept the commandments as best he could. But this was not enough. Jesus told him that now he would need to sell all he had and give to the poor, and take up his cross, and follow the Master. If he would do this, Jesus said, he would have treasure in heaven.

This young man was very wealthy, and was not willing to pay the price of discipleship, so he went away sorrowful. It is also quite possible that he did not understand Jesus’ reference to treasure in heaven. After all, he had not asked for a heavenly reward of any kind. He had merely asked how he might continue to live. Perhaps, in addition to being sorrowful, he also went away somewhat perplexed over the meaning of what the Master said to him. Up to that time no heavenly reward had ever been offered to the Lord’s faithful people. This was a new aspect of the divine plan which shortly was to be opened up; namely, the heavenly calling of the present age.—Heb. 3:1; 10:20; II Tim. 1:9,10

LUKE 19:1-10

THE case of Zacchaeus was somewhat different. He was also a rich man, but as a publican had probably acquired much of his riches in a manner which the people of Israel in general would not approve. But he was a sincere man, a man who evidently, while having been successful according to the financial standards of this world, was nevertheless not satisfied. He was rich outwardly, but poor in spirit, in that he evidently felt there was something important lacking in his life.

Thus Zacchaeus sought the Lord, no doubt having heard of the wonderful ministry being conducted by this outstanding man. He was intent on seeing Jesus, and finding out more about him. He was a short man and could not see over the heads of the crowds which were much of the time surrounding the Master, so he climbed up into a sycamore tree to gain a better view.

Zacchaeus did not seek the elevated position in the tree so that Jesus could see him, but so that he might see Jesus. To speak symbolically, there would be no use for anyone to exalt himself in order to be seen of the Lord. Jesus knew why Zacchaeus had climbed the tree, so looked up and saw him there, “and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” Zacchaeus joyfully responded.

As could be expected, the people, knowing that Zacchaeus was “the chief among the publicans,” objected to the Master’s being so friendly with him, especially to be a guest in his home. Jesus ignored the objections of the crowd. But Zacchaeus, as though to vindicate the Master’s confidence in him, spoke up, and said to Jesus, “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.”

Then Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” The publicans were Israelites, but were looked upon by their fellows as sinners because they had stooped to become tax collectors for the Roman government. Many of them, no doubt, took advantage of this position, and were unjust to their fellow Israelites, which helped to build up the great animosity against them. But here was one who, if he had acted wrongfully, was repentant, so much so that he willingly gave half his possessions to the poor, and to those whom he had wronged he made restitution fourfold.

Jesus had said to the rich young ruler that he would need to sell all that he had, and give to the poor. But Zacchaeus had not inquired the terms of discipleship, and had been giving up half. Doubtless Jesus explained later to him what the full cost of discipleship would be.

QUESTIONS

What did Jesus mean by denying self? Does this harmonize with what he said to the rich young ruler?

Explain the different circumstances in the case of Zacchaeus.

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