February 9, 2014
Evening Service

Jesus has set His face towards Jerusalem.  In chapter 18 we were taught about being persistent in prayer, the humble attitude we are to take in our prayers, and the child-like faith that is needed to please God.  We learned of the search for salvation by the rich young ruler and how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus then told the disciples that no sacrifice for Him will go unrewarded. 

Last Sunday night we saw Jesus again foretelling in great detail of the fate that awaited Him in Jerusalem.  He stood at a fork in the road and chose to follow God.  Our challenge was given for us to also be “doers of the Word and not hearers only.”  James 1:22.

Jerry will share with us next Sunday morning on the healing of Bartimaeus.  Tonight we will be introduced to Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in the sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Lord was passing by He looked up in the tree, and said

Zacchaeus come down from there for I am going to your house today,

I’m going to your house today.

Luke 19:1-2 And going in, He passed through Jericho.  (2)  And behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, who was a chief tax-collector. And he was rich.

• We have just learned about the rich young ruler whom Jesus asked to “Sell all that you have-and come and follow me.”  Zacchaeus is likewise a rich man.  Jesus’ words ring true as He explained to the apostles:

Luke 18:24-27  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said,” How hardly those having riches shall enter into the kingdom of God!  (25)  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich one to enter into the kingdom of God.” (26)  And the ones who heard said, and who can be saved?  (27)  And He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

• As a tax-collector, Zacchaeus became rich through cheating others.  Only he knew the true Roman tax rate and he earned his money by charging more than was actually owed and keeping the rest as profit.  His Jewish brothers would have looked at him not only as a thief, but also a traitor to his heritage.
• So we see Zacchaeus had two strikes against him.  He was rich.  His money came from cheating his own people.  Can such a one be saved?

 

Luke 19:3-4 And he sought to see who Jesus was, and he could not because of the crowd, for he was little in stature.  (4)  And he ran in front and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

• Not only was he not a model citizen, but Zacchaeus had a physical trait that also hindered him.
• God has made each of us just as we are.  We should never use our limitations as an excuse for disobedience.  (David, Moses, the apostles)

• Perhaps it was primarily curiosity that brought him to climb that tree, but in reality it was a man seeking something he did not have. 
• Climbing that tree, an unconventional act, was really an act of faith.  He was unashamed to go to an extreme to see Jesus.
• Are we that way?  Do we do things, sometimes uncomfortable things, to meet with our Lord?  Has the Holy Spirit called you to the altar and you were ashamed or afraid to go?  Has he called you to speak up and you remained silent?  Has He called you to be silent and you spoke up?

 

Jesus said this:

Mark 8:38 Therefore whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

• There are times we must be unashamed of our faith and step out of our “comfort zone” and be obedient to His calling.  Zacchaeus was willing and was rewarded for it.

 

Luke 19:5-7  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him. And He said to him, “Zaccheus! Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  (6)  And hurrying he came down, and received Him joyfully.  (7)  And seeing, they all murmured, saying, He has gone in to stay with a sinful man.

• Notice Zacchaeus “received Him joyfully.”  Salvation had come to him.  He accepted the call of the Lord.  The doubters came out in force asking, “Doesn’t He know this man is a sinner?”  Thank God He calls all sinners to salvation.
• Now what happens next is not the reason for his salvation, but salvation is the reason for the action.

 

Luke 19:8-10  And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor. And in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said to him, “This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.  (10) For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

• Zacchaeus showed forth the “fruits of repentance” that John the Baptist had spoken of.  His actions did not save him, but they proved he had been saved.
• He offered to give Jesus his heart and his wallet came along for the ride.  He gave half of his wealth away and restored to those he had cheated more than the law in Leviticus even called for.
•  Salvation had come to Zacchaeus, not because he was a descendent of Abraham, but because he displayed the faith of Abraham.
• It was very evident that Jesus had changed this man’s heart and life forever.
• He did not leave “sorrowful” as the rich young ruler, but with a clear conscience.
• That is how it is to be with us.  He changes us from being self-centered to being God-centered person.  You will never be the same once you truly answer His call to “Follow Me.”

 

 

Notice in verse 10, this is why He came to us.

 (10) For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

• This was His mission.  This is now our mission.
• Are we seeking the lost?
• Jesus is able to save “whosever will.”  It is not for us to judge, but to carry His message to all who are seeking.  No one is too far gone.  Don’t be a doubter.  “Nothing is impossible with God.”

 

In summary, don’t be ashamed of your Savior.  He sometimes asks us to do things that are “uncomfortable” for us.  Obey the Spirit’s call.  Seek those who are lost.  We know Who can save them!

 

Lord, may our hearts be unashamedly Yours and may we seek those who are lost and point them to You.