April 14, 2019: Luke 19; John 12.

We are reading about Jesus’ last week before His death. He’s traveling to Jerusalem. He chose to walk through Jericho.

Luke 19:1, “Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho.” The Message

Jericho was the first city the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land. They marched around the walls 7 times. Each day they marched silently. But after the seventh time, they shouted and the walls came tumbling down.

Jericho was cursed, (see Joshua 6:26). The man who rebuilt the wall would lose his firstborn son when he started. He would lose his youngest son when he finished. That is exactly what happened in 1 Kings 16:34.

Why did Jesus walk through a cursed city? He was looking for Zaccheus.

Zaccheus was also looking for Jesus. He chose to climb a Sycamore tree to see Him.

Luke 19:4, “So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.” The Message

* * * * * * *

“Sycamore tree…this tree was easily destroyed by frost (Psalms 78:47), …it is found mostly in the ‘vale’ (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15)…the ‘low country,’ the shephalah, where the climate is mild. Amos 7:14 refers to its fruit, which is of an inferior character;…(Jeremiah 24:2)….” biblestudytools.com/dictionary/sycamore/

Zaccheus chose a tree that only survived in a mild climate – a frost could kill it. Its fruit was of an inferior character. He was ashamed of cheating to become rich, see v. 8.

Jesus looked for him anyway. Jesus is looking for you!

• No matter where you live.
• No matter what has happened.
• No matter if you always took the easy way.
• No matter if your character is inferior.
• No matter what you’ve done.

Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.” The Message

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