February 7, 2016
Evening Service

This morning we saw the attitude we are to have about our children and how we are to have their attitude in regards to our faith.  We also saw the reaction of the rich young ruler when Jesus asked him to “Sell all you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in and heaven; and come and follow Me.”  He went away sorrowful because he loved his riches more than he desired eternal life.  His encounter with Jesus was not what he had hoped for.  His life perhaps changed, but certainly not for the better.  Tonight we will look at two others who encountered Jesus and their lives were changed drastically. 

Luke 18:35-43  And as He came near Jericho, it happened that a certain blind man sat by the roadside begging.  (36)  And hearing the crowd pass by, he asked what it meant.  (37)  And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by.  (38)  And he cried, saying, “Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me.”  (39)  And they who were in front rebuked him that he should be quiet. But he cried so much the more, “Son of David! Have mercy on me.”  (40)  And Jesus stood and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,  (41)  saying, “What do you desire that I should do to you?” And he said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”  (42)  And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight! Your faith has saved you.”  (43)  And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And when they saw, all the people gave praise to God.

·         From the book of Mark we know this blind beggar’s name was Bartimaeus.  His encounter with Jesus had a far different result from the one we spoke of earlier.

·         We know God (Jesus) is omnipotent or all knowing.  As He passed by Bartimaeus, He knew he was blind.  He only stopped however, because Bartimaeus cried out to Him in faith believing that Jesus could restore his sight.

·         It was because his faith that Jesus granted his request.  He cried out despite the opposition because he needed a touch from the Master’s hand.  His request was quick and directly to the point when asked by Jesus (verse 41).

·         How many times do we have a need and the last thing we decide to do is ask God for help.  It should always be the first!  We always want to fix things ourselves and exhaust every avenue before we trouble Him with our need.  That is not what He wants from us.

 

1Pe 5:6-7  Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time,  (7)  casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.

 

Php. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

·         It is God’s desire that we tell Him (communicate through prayer) what is on our hearts.  Peter said “casting all our cares upon Him” and Paul said “In everything by prayer.”

·         Bartimaeus held nothing back, he asked Jesus to heal his blindness from which there was no known cure, yet believing He could and would do it.  The result of being faithful to God’s command was a life that was never the same again.  Not only was he healed of blindness, but he now was able to openly share his story with all who would listen and build their faith as well (Verse 43).  He did not leave Jesus sorrowful but with joy which came from obedience rewarded.

·         What about us?  Is there a need in our life that we (and Jesus) are aware of but we have yet to ask God for help?  He is waiting on you!  A testimony of His faithfulness is waiting as well.

·         Now let’s look at our second life.

 

Luke 19:1-10  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.  (3)  And he sought to see Jesus, to see who He was. And he could not because of the press, because he was little in stature.  (4)  And he ran in front and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him; for He was to pass through that way.  (5)  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.”  (8)  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.”

·         For those of you who grew up in Sunday school as I did, this story was always a favorite because the song that went with it.  It however is a wonderful example of a life changed by looking into the face of Jesus.

·         Zaccheus was a very wealthy man, just as the rich young ruler from chapter 18.  He was also not very well liked because he was considered a traitor to his people for working for the Romans as a tax collector.  His fortune had also come most likely by cheating those same people by over charging them.  He certainly had a long list of sins under his name; much like we did before Jesus found us. 

·         I find it amazing that Zaccheus offered to do all these acts of restoration without being asked.  He knew in his heart what needed to be done and quickly and joyfully obeyed.  Once he had seen the face of Jesus, he had no choice but to do the things that he knew would please his Savior.

·         What great miracle did Jesus do for Zaccheus?  Jesus actually had only invited himself to come and stay at his house.  The realization that this Jesus knew who he was and acknowledged him worthy enough to stay with him changed his life.

·         How many people are there in this world that would follow Jesus IF someone showed enough interest in them to ask?  Jesus quotes His mission statement and ours in verse 10.

 

 

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

·         We all, individually and as the church, sometimes get so busy with the things of this world that we forget what we should be doing first and foremost.

·         We are to be seeking out those who are lost and share the gospel message with them.  We have the greatest gift ever given to share with others.  It can and will change their lives.

·         Look at the life that was changed and the fruits of repentance Zaccheus displayed without even being asked.

 

Unlike the rich young ruler these two men did not leave Jesus sorrowful.  Their lives were changed forever by their encounter with Him.  One simply had his prayer answered and the other followed even before he was asked to.

 

Has your life been changed by your encounter with Jesus?

 

Lord may my life always be evidence that I have met my Savoir and He has changed my life as well.