When red is juxtaposed with green, both colors pop - though nothing truly changes in characteristic, both colors seem to increase in intensity, in clarity. The same is true when opposing natures are compared - when Isaiah saw himself in light of the Lord and His perfection, he saw his sin painfully clearly (Isaiah 6). Luke uses the same technique, sharing within 11 verses both the stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus, nearly mirror opposites, revealing a heart of change versus a heart of stone.

a glance in the mirror

In Luke 18:18-29, we are given a glimpse at a certain ruler. He has authority over people and property, likely responsible and very successful, a “man of great wealth” (verse 23). He is carrying on a conversation with Christ, comfortable enough to approach directly the “good teacher”. He describes himself as having kept the law since he was a boy - a righteous man in his own eyes, and in the eyes of others.

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9), on the other hand, is neither attractive in appearance or heart - he is described as a short man (verse 3) and a tax collector (verse 2). He was not your average tax collector, but the chief tax collector - often a crooked job, and a profession hated by the crowd. He was not bold enough (or welcomed enough) to approach Christ directly, but ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to simply get a glimpse of Christ. And when Christ called out to him, those in the crowd began condemning Christ for being the “guest of a sinner” (verse 7). The portrait of these two men, in outward righteousness, status within the community, and therefore boldness in approaching Christ, are opposite. What the two did share in common was their wealth (verse 2).

How do you view yourself in light of others?

How do you view yourself in light of the Lord?

a look at the heart

Both men encounter Christ and are not left unscathed. Though the ruler outwardly professed righteousness, Christ knew his heart. He challenged the ruler to “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. The come, follow me.” (18:22). The righteous ruler sadly turned away, loving his wealth, his comfort and security, more than Christ (verse 23). Zacchaeus, however, without prompting from Christ, began to give away his wealth and repay those he had wronged (19:8). The recognition of the Teacher and His great reception of this sinner impacted Zacchaeus’ heart - Christ was of greater value than all possessions. Both men encountered the same Lord. Their responses were vastly different. One who felt he had done well, turned away from his only true hope, while the one who knew the wretchedness of his heart repented fully.

In who or what are you placing your full hope?

What are you tempted to hope in other than Christ?

a peak at eternity

Christ’s responses to the two men are very different following the change (or lack thereof) in their hearts. To the rich ruler, Christ mourns “…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (18:25). But to the repentant tax collector Christ declares, “Today salvation has come to this house…” (19:9). One rejects Christ for the fleeting joys of this world, the other clings to Him above all treasure. Both choices effect eternity. All who encounter Christ are left with a choice - to receive or reject Him. Those who receive Him do not remain the same - there is a change at the heart level that effects every aspect of life. One who encounters Christ truly lives.

What was your life like before Christ? After?

Change does NOT come from within yourself - it is God’s work in your heart. Have you tried to change on your own apart from Him? How is change different when submitted to Christ?

Do you tend to fight the Lord at every turn, or is your heart soft and mold-able in His hands? Why?

prayer

Father, thank you for changing us when it was impossible for us to change ourselves. Thank you for loving us enough to not allow us to remain the same. I pray that our hearts would be soft - that we would trust an not resist your touch, even when it is hard or painful. Reveal to us the things that we are trusting in more than you - anything we hold in greater value than you, and take it from our hands. May we see you as you truly are - worth all, worthy of all, and may our lives reflect this.