‏ Luke 19

* The conversion of Zaccheus. (1-10) The parable of the nobleman

and his servants. (11-27) Christ enters Jerusalem. (28-40)

Christ laments over Jerusalem. (41-48)

1-10 Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ, like

Zaccheus, will break through opposition, and take pains to see

him. Christ invited himself to Zaccheus' house. Wherever Christ

comes he opens the heart, and inclines it to receive him. He

that has a mind to know Christ, shall be known of him. Those

whom Christ calls, must humble themselves, and come down. We may

well receive him joyfully, who brings all good with him.

Zaccheus gave proofs publicly that he was become a true convert.

He does not look to be justified by his works, as the Pharisee;

but by his good works he will, through the grace of God, show

the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zaccheus is declared

to be a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God. Now that he

is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power

of them, all the benefits of salvation are his. Christ is come

to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with

him. He came into this lost world to seek and to save it. His

design was to save, when there was no salvation in any other. He

seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him. 11-27 This parable is like that of the talents, #Mt 25|. Those

that are called to Christ, he furnishes with gifts needful for

their business; and from those to whom he gives power, he

expects service. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to

every man to profit withal, #1Co 12:7|. And as every one has

received the gift, so let him minister the same, #1Pe 4:10|. The

account required, resembles that in the parable of the talents;

and the punishment of the avowed enemies of Christ, as well as

of false professors, is shown. The principal difference is, that

the pound given to each seems to point out the gift of the

gospel, which is the same to all who hear it; but the talents,

distributed more or less, seem to mean that God gives different

capacities and advantages to men, by which this one gift of the

gospel may be differently improved. 28-40 Christ has dominion over all creatures, and may use them

as he pleases. He has all men's hearts both under his eye and in

his hand. Christ's triumphs, and his disciples' joyful praises,

vex proud Pharisees, who are enemies to him and to his kingdom.

But Christ, as he despises the contempt of the proud, so he

accepts the praises of the humble. Pharisees would silence the

praises of Christ, but they cannot; for as God can out of stones

raise up children unto Abraham, and turn the stony heart to

himself, so he can bring praise out of the mouths of children.

And what will be the feelings of men when the Lord returns in

glory to judge the world! 41-48 Who can behold the holy Jesus, looking forward to the

miseries that awaited his murderers, weeping over the city where

his precious blood was about to be shed, without seeing that the

likeness of God in the believer, consists much in good-will and

compassion? Surely those cannot be right who take up any

doctrines of truth, so as to be hardened towards their

fellow-sinners. But let every one remember, that though Jesus

wept over Jerusalem, he executed awful vengeance upon it. Though

he delights not in the death of a sinner, yet he will surely

bring to pass his awful threatenings on those who neglect his

salvation. The Son of God did not weep vain and causeless tears,

nor for a light matter, nor for himself. He knows the value of

souls, the weight of guilt, and how low it will press and sink

mankind. May he then come and cleanse our hearts by his Spirit,

from all that defiles. May sinners, on every side, become

attentive to the words of truth and salvation.