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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 18:18-29Luke 18:18-29
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
A Rich and Important Man ¹⁸ An important man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?” ¹⁹ Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good. ²⁰ a ; ; b ; ; c ; ; d ; ; e ; . You know the commandments: ‘Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. Respect your father and mother.’ ” ²¹ He told Jesus, “I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a young man.” ²² When Jesus heard this, he said, “There is one thing you still need to do. Go and sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” ²³ When the man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich. ²⁴ Jesus saw how sad the man was. So he said, “It's terribly hard for rich people to get into God's kingdom! ²⁵ In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom.” ²⁶ When the crowd heard this, they asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus replied, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” ²⁸ Peter said, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or wife or brothers or family or children because of God's kingdom

WP-Bible plugin, 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 19:1-9Luke 19:1-9
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Zacchaeus ^{19 1} Jesus was going through Jericho, ² where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes l in charge of collecting taxes: See the note at . and was very rich. ³-⁴ Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. ⁵ When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” ⁶ Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus. ⁷ Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.” ⁸ Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much m pay back four times as much: Both Jewish and Roman law said that a person must pay back four times the amount that was taken. to everyone I have ever cheated.” ⁹ Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, n saved: Zacchaeus was Jewish, but it is only now that he is rescued from sin and placed under God's care. because you are a true son of Abraham. o son of Abraham: As used in this verse, the words mean that Zacchaeus is truly one of God's special people.

WP-Bible plugin), 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.