Lifelong full engagement is a primary message of Luke’s presentation of this day in the life of Jesus.
Luke presents five scenes in Jesus’ day now commonly known as Palm Sunday.
- The transformation of Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-10
- The parable of the ten minas. Luke 19:11-27
- The triumphal entry. Luke 19:28-40
- Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. Luke 19:41-44
- Jesus cleanses the temple. Luke 19:45-46
In the narrative of the transformation of Zacchaeus, Luke gives us his theme of Jesus’ ministry.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
Jesus then taught the Parable of the Ten Minas with the following primary emphases.
- I will leave. Luke 19:12
- Stay fully engaged in seeking and saving the lost while I am gone. Luke 19:13
- I will return. Luke 19:15
Jesus then enters Jerusalem as the King in what is known as The Triumphal Entry.
- God’s future kingdom is already launched here and now! Luke 19:38
- Staying fully engaged in exuberant and energetic worship is a crucial component of seeking and saving the lost.
After this glorious event in Jesus’ life, He becomes deeply emotional and weeps over His city’s inability to see who He is and what God is doing.
- Most people don’t see what God has done and what He is doing and what He will be doing. Luke 19:41
- Staying fully engaged emotionally is crucial for seeking and saving the lost.
Luke’s final component to Jesus’ Palm Sunday is the cleansing of the Temple.
- Day to day life and business can easily distract and displace us from proper engagement in the mission to seek and to save the lost. Distraction and displacement must be driven out. Luke 19:45
- Staying fully engaged in prayer is essential to the mission of seeking and saving the lost. Luke 19:46
Personal Reflections
- Am I fully engaged with Jesus in seeking and saving the lost?
- Between Jesus’ first triumphal entry and His second triumphant entry, am I fully engaged in His mission?
- Am I fully engaged in seeking and saving the lost through exuberant and energetic worship?
- Knowing people I love don’t see who Jesus is or what He is doing in our world today, am I fully engaged emotionally in their plight?
- Am I avoiding the distractions and displacement of business as usual and staying fully engaged in consistent, powerful prayer?