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
If two people are nuts about hunting, they’re like “two peas in a pod”.
If two people like the same sports team, they’re like “two peas in a pod”.
If two people have the same character traits, they’re like “two peas in a pod”.
This morning we are continuing our study of the Life of Christ. We’ve been seeing some events as Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for the last time. And Jesus knew exactly why he was on this trip.
Luke 18:31-33 - Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. [32] For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: [33] And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Obviously Jesus was getting more and more focused on the final events of this life. He was a man of purpose headed to do His Father’s will. But although Jesus had a purpose in view and a place to go, he still had time for people.
Jesus was almost to his goal, but when he passed through Jericho, he had time for “two peas in a pod”, Blind Bartimaeus and rich, powerful, head tax-collector, Zacchaeus. As set as Jesus was on getting to Jerusalem, he had time for the needs of these two men.
I am encouraged because Jesus hasn’t changed. He’s busy today holding the universe together and interceding on behalf of the saints, and yet in all his business he has time for you and me.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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 Jericho. He was the head tax collector for the Roman government in the Jericho area, a principle area for collecting taxes. All the tax collectors paid Zacchaeus, who in turn paid the Roman government.
In spite of their differences, Bart and Zach were “two peas in a pod”.
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
THEY BOTH RECEIVED FAVOR
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 Rome. He was probably not welcome in the local synagogue. He was a hated man. Because he was the head tax collector, he would have been considered the head traitor.
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.
Have you ever felt guilty for something you’ve said or done? Of course you have! These men would have suffered under that same frustration of guilt.
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 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Ephesians 2:1-3 - And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
You know, we are like Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus. We are another “pea in the pod”. We have our frustrations.
Some of our frustrations are physical.
Some of our frustrations are emotional.
Some of our frustrations are interpersonal.
Some of our frustrations are financial.
Some of our frustrations are spiritual.
We all have had to struggle with the guilt of sin.
I’m so glad that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when he stopped in Jericho. It was in Jerusalem that He paid for the sins of the whole world!
1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
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.
I know I sound like a broken record Sunday after Sunday and quote some of the same verses Sunday after Sunday, but it is important that everyone know that faith in Christ alone is the only way to Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Make sure that your faith in Jesus as your Messiah, your king, and your Savior.
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 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
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.
Matthew 7:7-11 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
1 John 5:14-15 adds, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Who needs to be saved? Ask!
Who needs spiritual help? Ask!
Who needs to return to church? Ask!
What needs do you have? Ask!
We should ask God to answer prayers for our Spiritual well-being found in Ephesians 1 Ephesians 3, Philippians 1, and Colossians 1. I believe that he will answer those prayers.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
We should pray for laborers for the harvest of souls, not just to send missionaries abroad, but to send missionaries to Armstrong Country through this church. Perhaps your sharing of the Gospel with your friends and recruiting of people for church and Sunday School will be a partial answer to that prayer!
We should pray for the revival of this Sunday School. It’s God’s will that people be instructed in the Word of God, especially the children! I believe that He will answer that prayer. Will you pray with me?
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 kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
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!
Bart and Zach were two peas in a pod.
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
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 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
When we pray as Christians in faith believing we will have our prayers answered.
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
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 3:13-14 - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: [14] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:9 - So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
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?