Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know
Part 19 - Jesus Came To Seek And Save All The Lost That Would Believe
INTRO: Imagine being rich-- Not just rich, but filthy rich-- Literally by the way. Your wealth came on the backs of people, other people, and innocent people at that. Sure you have more than you can spend. You have enough to have things that only money can buy. But, all that comes at a price.
Your friends are gone. You have betrayed your very own people to military occupiers, or at least that is what they think. People shun you. Many even curse you and turn their back upon you. You often fear for your family's safety. Even your wife looks at you at times like she does not know you, or turns her head with tears in her eyes when she tells you of the other women a the market place and how they treat her.
Is it all worth it? You ask yourself. Someone else would have done the job if you had not. You have even been reducing the taxes you collect lately on some of the little old ladies. Hey, I am not the enemy, the Romans are. Yeah.
This is the plight of Zacchaeus. He had money, position and power, yet he was not happy. Almost everyone hated him. He had heard of a teacher, Jesus of Nazareth. He had heard of His miracles. He had heard of His kindness. He had even heard He fairly dealt with some people that others would not even be around. Would He treat Zacchaeus as a child of Abraham? Would He overlook his riches and how he obtained them?
These may well have been some of the things running through Zacchaeus' mind when he tried to just get a glimpse of Jesus. I do know, his glimpse became an opportunity that he grabbed and it changed his life forever. This is the story I want to look at today.
Let's read from Luke 19
Luke 19:1 - 27
1
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.5
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.7
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.8
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.9
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.11
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.15
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 had gained by trading.16
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.18
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.19
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.20
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.22
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:23
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.25
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)26
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.27
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.Last week we met a rich young ruler, who had a desire for eternal life, yet when Christ looked into his heart and saw that his riches were a problem, the young man left empty-handed. He left sorrowfully because he was very rich and he could not bear to lose his riches. Do you think he feels the same way today? Let us compare him and Zacchaeus.
The rich young ruler: Approached Jesus
Zacchaeus: Peeked and peered at Jesus
The rich young ruler: Asked of Jesus
Zacchaeus: Pointed out by Jesus
The rich young ruler: Asserted His innocence to Jesus
Zacchaeus: Proclaimed his guilt Jesus
The rich young ruler: Absented himself from Jesus
Zacchaeus: Accepted Jesus and His change for His life
Oh, what a difference accepting Jesus can make in our lives.
Let us look at what we have read and apply it to our lives.
When we look at Jesus, we can see…
He is coming our way - 1
Jesus wants to do more than just pass through our lives
Jesus wants to be more than just a passing thought
Jesus wants to be more than a balm for our conscious
Not only is He coming our way…
We can get into position to see Him - 3,4
It might involve letting go of some harmful things
It might involve a little effort (like climbing a tree)
It might involve putting His will before our own
And we can also see…
He knows where we are and who we are today - 5, 9
There is not a chance we can fool Him
He knows our sincerity
He knows our pride
He knows our need
We also can learn form this…
Our "riches" can move us to not accept Christ and His plan for our lives
Many wrongly assumed Jehovah favored those with riches (last week's story)
(That was not the case for Zacchaeus, they made an exception)
Many today wrongly assume God does not care for those with riches
Luke 18:24 - 25 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches 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 man to enter into the kingdom of God.I mean these verses confirm this right? even those who heard Him called out…
Luke 18:26 - 27 26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.Jesus having just prior to this time told them of the difficulties for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, goes after, yes, this time it is He who pursues Zacchaeus, and changes His life.
So we also learn…
Jesus came for the rich, the poor, and the in-between (middle class)
Zacchaeus was hated, despised, unwanted by men
By Christ, he was loved
So, let's look quickly at what went down…
Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus - 3
Our efforts fall short
Others have a way of interfering or sidetracking us from the Lord
Hindered by the press (crowd)
Our "frame" finds a way to stunt or even stop our service to the Lord
Zacchaeus did the unexpected - 4, 5, 6
Most rich men would "command" enough respect for people to move
Most rich men would have a subordinate to acquire and hold a suitable spot
Most rich men would not want to be seen running to get a spot
Most rich men would not dream of scaling a tree
Most rich men would do the asking or inviting- 5
Most rich men would put on the ritz and let everyone know/see
Most rich men would have Christ meet on their terms and schedule
Most rich men would remain aloof or unapproachable
And sadly…
Most rich men would be lost
Gladly for Zacchaeus…
Jumped down and joyfully received the Lord - 6
So, how did the people react?
They all complained - 7
None are worthy in many people's eyes
Honestly all are needy
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
Let's look at what happened to Zacchaeus that day
Zacchaeus let go
Not only did he let go of the limb
He let go of the riches that had so driven his life
Sin that had covered and wounded him for so long
Pride that had propped him up and distanced him from God's love
Zacchaeus latched onto something special - changed his life totally
Offered restitution for his crooked deeds
Acted because he had been changed, not to be changed
Zacchaeus laid down religion
Even a child of Abraham needed saving
Even church kids need the Lord
So, what does Jesus want us to know from all of this?
He came to seek the lost
He came to save the lost
Zacchaeus lost his "lostness"
You can lose yours too
We all have a job to do for Him
You can be like Zacchaeus, being available for Him to reach you
You can be like some of those in His parable, who served well
You can be like some of those in His parable, who lost all
The choice is yours
The blessings can belong to you
You can leave them behind
Gary Marcum - New beginnings Church - 080507am