What we do matters. The consequences of the free will of mankind extends beyond this life. We are required to love, to forgive, to judge righteous judgment. Out of our own mouths comes our judgment. We must act in faith, nothing wavering, as did Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant is the link to the coming of Christ, i.e. the completion of the work. We are required to occupy till our Lord returns.
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89: Jesus Accepted By Zacchaeus, Chief Publican Of Jericho
Luke 19:1-10
As Jesus and the multitude following him passed through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem, a rich man, Zacchaeus, a leading publican of Jericho, sought to see Jesus. He was unable to get near him because of the vast throng, and he could not see over the heads of the crowd because he was short of stature. Therefore Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree near which Jesus would walk. Jesus looked up, saw Zacchaeus, and said to him:
“Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”
Zacchaeus descended and received Jesus with joy.
The multitude murmured that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
Zacchaeus said to Jesus:
“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
Jesus answered Zacchaeus, saying:
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
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90: The Parable Of The Talents
Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-28
After this Jesus told a parable because he was near to Jerusalem and because many thought that the kingdom of God should appear immediately. He said:
“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, ‘Occupy till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man hath gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.’ And he said unto him, ‘Well, thou good servant. Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.’ And he said likewise to him, ‘Be thou also over five cities.’ And another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man. Thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.’ And he saith unto him, ‘Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?” And he said unto them that stood by, ‘Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.’ For I say unto you that unto everyone which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”
When he had finished, Jesus and his followers continued their journey into Jerusalem.