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JESUS SAVES BARTIMAEUS AND ZACCHAEUS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
Luke 18:35-19:6

Psalm 62

 

“…Jesus, thou Son of David,

have mercy on me.”

 

JESUS SAVES BARTIMAEUS AND ZACCHAEUS
 
When Jesus arrived at Jericho, two blind men pleaded with Him for healing. One of them was named Bartimaeus who was not only blind, but also a beggar. He addressed Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of David. He believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, a title the religious leaders of Israel refused to use on Jesus due to their unbelief. The Lord took pity on Bartimaeus and his companion. When Jesus asked what they wanted Him to do for them, they replied that they wanted their sight. By the power of His word, Jesus opened their eyes. Not only were their physical eyes opened but also the spiritual. Jesus said, “thy faith hath made thee whole [and] saved thee.” And they followed Jesus as He walked on, and glorified God.
 
In Jericho, there was a very wealthy man by the name of Zacchaeus. He was the number one tax collector who had others under his charge. The Jews regarded tax collectors like Zacchaeus, traitors and crooks, because they got rich by currying the favour of their Roman masters and extorting money from their fellow Jews.
 
Zacchaeus wanted to catch sight of Jesus as He passed through the town. But being a short man, he could not see over the heads of the crowd. So, he ran ahead, and climbed up a sycamore tree. This tree is known to provide good shade, and its branches are close to the ground. It was easy for a short man like Zacchaeus to climb up such a tree.
 
Zacchaeus must have been quite conspicuous. He was probably the only guy in the crowd who was perched on a tree. When Jesus reached the place, He looked up and saw him. Although the Lord saw Zacchaeus for the first time here, He had already known him inside out. He called Zacchaeus by name, and told him, “make haste, and come down, for to day I must abide at thy home.” Zacchaeus must have been delighted. He quickly scrambled down the tree, and received the Lord into his home joyfully.
 
THOUGHT: Faith comes not by seeing Christ but by hearing Christ.

PRAYER: Father, help me to live by faith and not by sight.

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