LIFE OF
CHRIST
Luke 18:35 - 19:10
TWO PEAS IN A POD
LIFE OF CHRIST #44
There is an expression “like as two peas in a pod” or
“They’re two peas in a pod.” What does
the term mean?
According to Answers.com the phrase means, “Very
similar, bearing a close resemblance. For example, they’re not even sisters, but they're like as two peas in a pod.
This expression alludes to the seeds contained in a pea pod, which do indeed
look very much alike.” http://www.answers.com/topic/like-as-two-peas-in-a-pod
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to fulfill his
destiny, but he still had time for the needs of two peas in a pod. Now, when
you first observe Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus you might think that they have very
little in common.
Bartimaeus was a blind man. He had no fixed means of income. He was a
beggar. His name is given to us in Mark.
Zacchaeus was a very wealthy man, probably one of the
wealthiest men in
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
18:35 – It is not hard to comprehend or
understand Bartimaeus’ frustrations.
· HE WAS BLIND
He was probably blind from birth.
He had never seen a sunrise.
He had never seen another person.
He had never seen the beauties of nature.
He had never seen where he was going.
He was dependent on the eyes of others, who could tell
him what was going on.
18:36-37 – The only reason Bart knew about Jesus
was because he heard the commotion, asked what was going on, and someone told
Him.
· HE WAS BROKE
Bart was a beggar.
Some of us can remember or have recently experienced
times when money was tight. When we were
living in our last church, our children thought that we were poor. But none of
us are as poor as the beggars were in the days of Jesus. It is likely that he was often hungry and had
scanty clothes. It is possible that he
may have even been homeless.
Bartimaeus had his frustrations, but so did Zacchaeus.
Although Zacchaeus was a rich man, he would have been
an outcast among the Jews.
He would have only been acceptable to other tax
collectors or those whose occupations were shady.
The Jews would have considered him to be a traitor
because he was working for the Roman government, and tax collectors were known
for charging more taxes than they had to pay to
Although Zacchaeus was rich, it does not mean that he
was happy. Money just can’t buy
happiness.
He had another problem, he was short of stature. Most
Jews were short, but he was short by their standards. He probably grew up being
teased about his height, and when Jesus passed by, he couldn’t see Jesus
because of the crowd in front of him.
Both Zach and Bart had their frustrations, for sure.
But they both had another frustration.
It is more obvious in Zach, because he probably did
get his position by being entirely honest.
Both men at some point in their lives suffered under
the burden of sin. Although we have no
hint at Bart’s sins, we know that he had them.
As someone has said, we usually feel guilty because we
are. The Bible is very clear that we are all guilty sinners. Isaiah 64:6,
Ephesians 2:1-3
You know, we are like Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus. We are another “pea in the pod”. We have our frustrations. We all have had to
struggle with the guilt of sin.
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
18:38 – When Bart was told that it was Jesus
passing by, he began to yell to “Jesus, the son of David”. This was a messianic term. It indicates that
Bartimaeus had his faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
We would say today, that he was a believer.
Based on what he had been told about the actions and
teachings of the Lord Jesus, he had placed his faith in Christ. Ephesians
2:8-9, John 3:16
18:39 – Bartimaeus’ faith went further than
believing on Jesus as His Messiah. He
was continually crying out, even though he was told to be quiet. He was
uttering a prayer!
Vss. 40-41 – Jesus heard Bartimaeus. Jesus hears
the prayers of His saints as well. John 14:13-14
Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want?”
Do you ever stop to think of Jesus asking you, “What
do you want, Bob, Fran, Dave, Jackie?”
Jesus encourages us to keep on asking like Bartimaeus
did.
And Jesus encourages us to ask for specific things in
persistent, believing prayer. Matthew 7:7-11, John 5:14-15
Bartimaeus showed his faith. So did Zacchaeus. They
were two peas in a pod.
19:3-4 – Zacchaeus sought after Jesus. He had hunger in his soul, and some sort of
faith that Jesus was the answer to His problems.
It is possible that Zach heard about another tax
collector who now followed Jesus, Matthew.
When Zacchaeus couldn’t get close to Jesus because of
the crowd, he threw all dignity and caution to the wind and ran ahead and
climbed a tree. It was a sycamore tree,
a tree with a short stump, but wide branches and easy to climb. The leaves in
the tree would have hid him at least somewhat.
19:5-6 – Jesus stopped beneath the tree, saw
Zacchaeus and summoned him down.
Zacchaeus didn’t know that He had a divine appointment with Jesus, but
Jesus did!
Jesus saw a man ready to be saved, ready to trust Him.
19:7 – While the crowd complained, Jesus
talked to Zacchaeus. We don’t know what
was said but we see the result.
Zacchaeus’ faith was not in his money but in Jesus.
He became a believer in Christ. The proof of his salvation is shown in his
announcement.
19:8 – To start, half of his wealth would be
given to the poor. And then out of the remaining 50% Zacchaeus would pay
restitution to anyone that he cheated.
That was the maximum payment required by Jewish law. Considering Zach’s business, he had probably
cheated lots of people.
Zacchaeus was showing that money was not important any
more. He found a changed life in Jesus. How has your life changed since you put
your faith in Jesus?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the
Do you remember the rich young ruler? Because money was his God Jesus told him to
sell it all, give to the poor and follow Him.
He didn’t do it.
Zacchaeus, on the other hand, basically did what the
rich young ruler didn’t. He gave the riches up for Christ!
THEY BOTH RECEIVED FAVOR
18:40-42 – Bartimaeus received his sight.
Bartimaeus was also saved because of His faith in
Christ
When we trust Christ as Savior we will have eternal
life. Acts 16:31
When we pray as Christians in faith believing we will
have our prayers answered. Mark 11:24
Salvation also came to Zacchaeus.
19:9 – Why was Zacchaeus saved? Was it
because he gave away a fortune? No! The giving away of the fortune was the
evidence of his salvation!
Zacchaeus was saved because he showed himself to be a
Son of Abraham. Abraham was the father
of faith. Those who place their faith in
Christ are children of Abraham. Galatians 3:9, 13-14
God exercises favor to those who trust His Son.
Bart and Zach were “two peas in a pod”:
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
THEY BOTH RECEIVED FAVOR
How about you?
Are you another pea in that pod?
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