Walking With Christ: Lesson 8 Three Men On the Jericho Road:
Two Rich, One Poor, Two Outcasts, One Ruler, Two Believers, One Rejecter: The Rich Young Ruler, Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus
Word Document Link
Timeline
Map of Lesson
Parallel and Related Passages:
Rich Young Ruler - Matthew 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–27. Bartimaeus - Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52. Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-9
Lesson: Luke 18:18-27, Luke 18:35-42, Luke 19:1-10
Background: After the raising of Lazarus Jesus leaves Judea to avoid the confrontations and conspiracies of the ruling Jews to kill Him.
John 11:53-54 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
Jesus and the disciples then start their return to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus also knows this will be when He is crucified and tells the disciples though they do not seem to fully comprehend all He is saying. They travel along the route through the Jordan valley to Jericho and then to Jerusalem and Bethany where Jesus would stay with Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Jericho, which was along this route at the edge of the desert, was a thriving city of commerce and trade. It was a profitable place for a publican (tax collector) and especially the chief publican to live. It was well known for its fertile fields watered from underground wells and springs. Many wealthy Jews and rich citizens of Judea made their home in Jericho especially in the winter. This city was named after the city which Joshua captured, but not built on the same site. The modern city of Jericho is built upon another site from the first two.
This road to Jerusalem was also the setting for Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 18 it is the setting for the story of the rich young ruler, blind Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus. It was common for many to line the streets when important people or dignitaries were passing through. Jesus had become very famous lately with the miracles, temple cleansing and especially the raising of Lazarus. The news of his passing through town would bring huge crowds.
Luke 18:18-27 The Rich Man Who Rejected
We do not know anything but what the Bible tells us of the rich young ruler. The story and the following teaching by Jesus was so important that it is in all three synoptic Gospels. Some early Bible commentators say that the man was Paul before he was converted, but the fact that Luke doesn’t point this out is proof it is just a fanciful wish.
Jesus on the road to Jerusalem for the Passover is at the height of His popularity. His fame is so great that after the raising of Lazarus He left Judea to avoid the Pharisees and others who now conspired to kill him. The young man was probably attracted to Jesus as a great teacher, since he addresses him as Master, at title for teacher, like the Hebrew word Rabbi. As a ruler he may have been a member of the local Sanhedrin or simple a rich nobleman or nobleman’s son.
Vs. 19 Why did Jesus call attention to the title “good” when the young man addressed him?
Much like Nicodemus, the man needed to understand who he was talking to and what he was talking about. Jesus was trying to get him to see spiritually and to force him to think about what he was saying.
Is Jesus statement, “none is God save one, that is, God” a confession that He is not sinless or not God or does it have a deeper purpose concerning who Jesus was?
Jesus is actually declaring himself as God. His statement is true only God is good in this sense. In the same way that Jesus did not condemn the woman taken in adultery, though He was without sin, here He is subtly stating that He is God.
Vs. 20. Why did Jesus give the law as the answer to the young man’s question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The man asks a question he thinks he already knows the answer to keep the law, go to heaven. Jesus knowing this needs to show the man that his answer is fatally and eternally wrong.
Does Jesus quote all the ten commandments? Which ones did he leave out?
No, the left out the first 4, all the commandments that dealt with God and his relationship to God. He also left out the last commandment about coveting.
Vs. 21 The young man replies, “All these have I kept from my youth.” Mark’s Gospel tells us, “Jesus beholding him loved him.”
Jesus then says, “One thing you lack,” he then tells the man to sell all he has, give to the poor and become His disciple. Vs. 23 gives his response, “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”
How did Jesus’ command for the young man to sell all, give it away and come follow Him actually prove that he had not kept all the law?
To love God above all else, meant that he should not care for his wealth. To love his neighbor as himself meant he should be willing to give to others and not being greedy of his riches would show he was not a covetous person. The rich young ruler was convicted of his sin but rejected repentance and faith in Jesus instead of the law to inherit eternal life.
Vs. 24-26. Judging from the reaction of those who hear Jesus say how hard it is for a rich man to be saved, is He speaking of a literal needle and camel?
Yes, in Matthew it says, “the disciples were exceedingly amazed.” In Mark, “they were astonished out of measure.” The question they all ask, “Who then can be saved?” shows they believed Jesus was speaking literally, not metaphorically nor about a mythical low night gate in Jerusalem called the needles eye.
Jesus was saying, it is harder for those who have much and have faith in their possessions, to put their faith in God rather than in their riches.
Vs. 27. How does Jesus’ answer, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” reinforce the answer given to the rich young man?
Salvation is by grace through faith, the gift of God. No man, rich or poor can earn or inherit eternal life. Only God can save a soul, it is a supernatural work. Impossible with man, possible with God.
Luke 18:35-43 The Beggar Who Believed, Bartimaeus
Luke does not name the blind man who sat beside the Jericho road and begged. Mark tells us his name was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. Matthew mentions that there were two bling beggars. If Marks account it based on the recollections of Peter, Marks’s uncle, it could be that Peter knew the man’s name, while Luke who wrote much later did not. Matthew always keen on details notes there were two, but Bartimaeus probably was the bolder spokesman and Mark and Luke key on him. The route to Jerusalem on the week before the Passover would be filled with pilgrims going to the Temple as they were required by the law and would therefore be lined with the blind, lame and handicapped begging for alms.
Vs. 36-39 As the crowd passes by and the talk of Jesus passing by spreads, Bartimaeus realizes who is they are talking about and begins to loudly and constantly cry out, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
What does this title mean Bartimaeus believed about Jesus?
That Jesus was the Messiah, the one who would rule on the throne of David as promised in the Davidic Covenant. This showed his faith and his cry for mercy showed he knew he was a sinner.
Vs 41-42 Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” and Bartimaeus asks for his sight. How does Jesus answer tell us that Bartimaeus was also believing for salvation?
When Jesus healed the paralyzed man let down through the roof, He said, “Thy sins be forgiven, take up your bed and walk.” Now he says, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.” Both his eyes and his soul were supernaturally touched.
How does the healing of Bartimaeus illustrate what Jesus told the disciples after the rich young man had walked away?
God (Jesus) did the impossible, he healed the blind eyes and saved a lost soul.
Luke 19:1-10 The Rich Man Who Repented, Zacchaeus
Only Luke gives us the story of Zacchaeus. It is interesting that Matthew, who was a publican does not include it while Luke does. We do not know exactly why Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, perhaps he had heard of the miracles, perhaps he had heard that Jesus follower, Matthew was a publican like himself. Whatever the reason he wanted to see the famous rabbi and rumored Messiah, but due to the crowd he could not. Zacchaeus was short and could not see over the crowd and as a tax collector and collaborator with the Romans he was unpopular, so no one would let him through to the front of the crowd. Finally, he climbed a Sycamore tree and waited for the Saviors group to pass below on the street. It was there that Jesus spotted him and invited himself to stay in the publican’s house for the night.
The Hebrew name Zacchaeus means what in English?
“Pure or righteous one” an interesting name for a publican.
Luke 19:3 What was Zacchaeus
trying to do?
He wanted to see which man, among those walking the road, was Jesus.
Luke 19:4 What can we see about Zacchaeus attitude?
He was excited and determined to see Jesus, almost like a child even running ahead and climbing a tree.
Luke 19:5 In what ways does Jesus make himself known to Zacchaeus?
Dramatically, in the front of the crowd. Supernaturally, knowing his name. Personally, by going to his home, taking a meal and spending the night.
Luke 19:6 What was Zacchaeus’ reaction to Jesus’ self-invitation? He received Him joyfully.
Judging from the whole story, was the reception of Jesus more than just a stopover in his house? In what other way did Zacchaeus receive Jesus that day?
He accepted him into his heart as Lord and Messiah as well as into his house as a guest.
Luke 19:7 What was the crowd's reaction to Jesus entering Zacchaeus house? Why did they have this reaction?
They murmured in disbelief, or complained. The crowd expected the Messiah to be a Savior of their nation, but not really a Savior of individuals.
Luke 19:8 This declaration probably takes place at the supper later that day. Zacchaeus says, “..half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have taken any thing by falsely accusing them, I will repay four times.”
This type of statement is a first-class condition, it could be understood as, “Since . . .” It implies that he knew he had extorted money from others and is serves as a confession.
The Mosaic Law only required restoration of the principal, with interest (Lev 6:5; Num 5:7), but Zacchaeus’ much more severe penalty was comparable to restitution for robbery (Ex 22:1).
What does Zacchaeus’ statement tell us about the impact Jesus had on him that day?
He had accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and in that faith realized that he could no longer live and act the way he had before. His salvation was shown in repentance and a desire to make things right.
Luke 19:9-10 Jesus says that Zacchaeus was also a son of Abraham and then adds, He is come to seek and save that which was lost.
What does Jesus mean by “also a son of Abraham?”
He was a son, by his physical lineage but now truly a son, believing just as Abraham had, in the promises of God.
In what ways was Zacchaeus a fulfillment of Jesus mission to seek and save that which was lost?
He was lost as a sinner, lost as a Jew trusting in the law and lost by being an outcast from his people.
How did Zacchaeus’ salvation contrast with the rich young man of Luke 18.
One rich man believed Jesus and gave up his wealth, the other kept his wealth and rejected Jesus. This could be why Luke, the Gentile Gospel, writer included this story.
Application:
If we take all three stories and compare or contrast them, what can they tell us about evangelism and sharing the gospel?
How did Jesus use the law to convict the young man of his lost condition?
Should we not witness to the rich since it is harder to win them?
What was Jesus’ attitude about reaching social outcasts, like Zacchaeus and Bartimaeus?
Conclusion
All three men sought out Jesus but only two accepted him. Jesus dealt with all three as individuals with no set, static method to bring them to salvation. And even though he loved the young man who walked away, He did not change the condemnation of the law, in order to bring him back, nor did He use the law to convict those that were ready to repent and believe.
We need to show more patience and more faith when it comes to our own sharing about Jesus. Show them their need, lift up Christ, and then let the Holy Spirit work.
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