Easter PreThoughts #6

Likely Thursday before Palm Sunday…

The throngs came to the common crossing point of the Jordan which led to Jericho.  This is where Joshua placed 12 stones marking the place where the priests stood holding the Ark of the
Covenant and then they would have passed the 12 stones carried from the Jordan and piled on the west bank to incite questions from children about God and His salvation.  Standing Stones are important per God and for God’s children!

After moving through the rubble of the Jericho destroyed by God under the leadership of Joshua (you know – around the city 13 times, shout, and the walls came tumbling down), and before entering the new Jericho, two blind men were encountered (Matthew 20:30), we read in Mark 10:46-52, Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The blind got it!  They knew Who Jesus was (Son of David – King, Messiah, merciful and healer) and they were persistent in their faith – crying out despite threats and rejections by others.  John 9:38-39,  He said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.  And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”  People with sight and in His presence didn’t see while this blind man did see!

Jesus then moved into the new Jericho amidst masses of people.  As He was now close to Jerusalem (about 18 miles) and nearer enemies, He was going to need a safe place to abide for the night before the final ascent to Bethany (a rise of about 3,000 feet).  Leaving Jericho the route is through narrow ravines, not offering many hiding or escape places.  As He moved through the city, there sat Zacchaeus in a tree for he was short in stature and desperately wanted to see this Jesus.  And he was a tax collector – one loathed by the Jewish leadership.  This tax collector who was offensive to the Jewish hierarchy was a perfect protection for Jesus for the night.  Plus, being rich meant a big house ample for Jesus’ troop.  The story: And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him,  and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all  complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19:5-10  Yes! a fringe place to abide for a night’s rest!

Zacchaeus declared his faith in Jesus and showed the same by a radical change in life.  Consider his commitment: “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). Zacchaeus stood in stark contrast to the young man a few days earlier who would not part from His wealth in order to join Jesus.  Zacchaeus’ former god was out – put to death!  Zacchaeus, a loathed tax-collector, was made a saint!  All things made possible by God (18:27)!