Luke 19: Are You The Chief Publican?
Verse of the Day: V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

1. Chief (V1-10)
V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

Though Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief publican, he was hated by the Jews for collecting taxes for the Romans. This was why he was overjoyed and immediately came down from the sycamore tree (he climbed the tree as he was too short to see Jesus) when Jesus told him that He would stay at his house. He repented his sins, and gave half of his wealth to the poor, and returned to the Jews four times what he had falsely collected from them.

V8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
      
2. Cities (V11-27)
V13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

Jesus taught His disciples of a nobleman who gave his ten servants one pound each for service to others. When he returned from overseas, he was glad that the first servant reaped ten times, and he rewarded him to rule over ten cities. The second reaped five times, and he rewarded him to rule over five cities. One came without any service, and he rebuked him, and gave his one pound to the one who had been most faithful in his service.

V17 “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
 
3. Colt (V28-48)
V28 “And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.”

Jesus told His two disciples that He needed a colt for His ride to Jerusalem before His death. Jesus humbled Himself by riding on a colt instead of a stallion as He was preparing for His eventual death as the Saviour of the world, but one day He shall come as the King of kings and Lord of lords riding on a stallion to judge the sins of the world.

V30 “Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me to know that to be chief is to serve others in need.