God cares enough about you to go off the beaten path in order to meet you and set up a meeting with you. cf the Samaritan Woman ...and He must needs go through Samaria.
Luke 19:2-9, "And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 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. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 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. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham."
Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus because he must have heard something about Him. Whatever he heard stirred his inner longing. There must have been something he heard about Jesus that related to his needs.
1. THE CHARACTER CALLED ZACCHAEUS
a. Chief among the publicans (tax collectors).
b. Rich.
c. Short in stature, not in brains.
d. Disliked by the people (evidenced by the murmurs when Jesus went with him).
This extract gives a singular glimpse into the character of someone like Zacchaeus:
“He was a leader of the publicans -"the chief among publicans."
For a more successful levying of taxes by the Romans, the institution of the publicans was introduced, which had existed in Rome since ancient times. But while in Rome and throughout Italy publicans were recruited from an esteemed warrior class, in Judea the Romans were forced to engage publicans from the moral outcasts, from among Jews that agreed to go over to work for them and force their brothers to pay tribute.
The acceptance of such a position was bound up with a most profound moral fall. It was bound not only with national, but, above all, religious betrayal: to become a tool for the subjugation of the divinely chosen people by coarse pagans, one had to deny the hopes of Israel, everything holy to it, its dreams, and -- what is more -- since the Romans did not take into account the spiritual tribulation of their agents, upon accepting his position a publican had to swear a pagan oath of fidelity to the emperor, and bring pagan sacrifices to his spirit (the genius of the emperor). Of course the publicans served not only Rome's interests, levying taxes upon their own country men, but pursuing their own greedy goals and becoming wealthy at the expense of their subjugated brothers, they made the yoke of Roman oppression felt even more, and still more difficult to bear. This is who the publicans were. This is why they were surrounded by justifiable hatred and scorn; as betrayers of their people, having betrayed not only their people but a divinely-chosen one, God's tool in the world, the only people through which rebirth and salvation could come to mankind.
Everything said above pertains to Zacchaeus in the highest degree, because he was not a run-of-the-mill publican, but a chief among publicans - an architelonis. Without a doubt he had done everything: brought pagan sacrifices and sworn a pagan oath, mercilessly forced taxes from his brothers, increasing them to his own advantage. And he became, as the Gospel witnesses, a rich man.” (Saint John of Shanghai)
e. Determined and resourceful (looked for solutions to his problems).
f. Ready to accept the Lord.
g. Humble in his obedience.
2. THE CRISIS ZACCHAEUS FACED
a. Zacchaeus had a need.
b. He had a handicap (his stature).
c. He had an obstacle (the crowd).
d. He needed to react appropriately.
“Of course Zacchaeus understood clearly that the hopes of Israel were lost to him. Everything foretold by the prophets, beloved from childhood, that at which every believing Old Testament soul trembled joyfully, was not for him. He was a traitor, a betrayer, a cast-off. He had no part in Israel. And now rumors reached him that the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah announced by the prophets, has already appeared in the world, and together with a small group of disciples is walking the fields of Galilee and Judea, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and working great miracles. Joyous hopes are ignited with trembling in believing hearts. How will Zacchaeus react to this? For him personally, the coming of the Messiah is a catastrophe. The rule of Rome must come to an end, and the triumphant Israel will, of course, take revenge for the losses suffered because of him, for the offences and oppressions that were his fault. But even if this is not so, for the Messiah, as the prophet witnessed, comes as a righteous one, bringing salvation as a meek one (cf. Zech. 9:9), the triumph of the Messiah must bring to him, to Zacchaeus, only the greatest shame and the loss of all the wealth and of the position he acquired at the frightening price of his treachery before God, his own people, and all the hopes of Israel.” (Saint John of Shanghai)
3. THE CHRIST WHO CARES
a. He knew exactly where Zacchaeus was.
Like the psalmist declared in Psalms 139:7-12 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Jesus came to the tree stopped and looked up. In the press of the crowd that caused Zacchaeus to climb the tree, Jesus still knew that he was there. Maybe in your life with the busy world passing you by, you wonder...does anybody even know I am here? Your status and strata in society is not the issue. You can be rich yet lonely. You can be surrounded by family and be lonely. Loneliness drives young people...and old to do crazy things to get attention so that people will know they are there. Know today that you are not invisible to God. He knows where you are and he is passing your way. He will stop at you tree and invite Himself into your life. It is up to you to get down your particular tree in order to properly receive Him. He stopped for Zacchaeus! He will stop for you!
b. He knew who he was. He knew his name.
Psalms 139:1-6 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name. He stopped, looked up, and addressed him by name! Never think that God does not know you. He knows all about you. He knows your secret and innermost thought. Nothing is hidden. You may be striving on this earth to make a name for yourself so that they will remember you when you are gone. But the real joy is that He know your name and He knows you now as an individual. He calls you by name.
c. He knew his need. He knew why he was there.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32
John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Zacchaeus was a lonely man. He had a deep longing to see Jesus for he had probably heard that Jesus was a friend to the outcast. He wanted to know more about this man. If he could only reach Him maybe He'll understand my need. He would care. Surprise! Jesus invites Himself to Zacchaeus' house. He invites Himself to your dwelling, your house, your life. He addresses your innermost need and longing. He is able to do what no other can do.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
d. He supplied the missing dimension in his life.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Zacchaeus needed something that only Jesus can supply...a sense of belonging...no longer an outcast, ostracized and lonely. Zacchaeus need a restoration of faith. He needed someone who would accept him just as he was warts and all! He needed someone to look at him without scorn and insults, without a judgmental eye and Jesus became His focus, His meaning to life, His reason for living, the One whose approval he now desired to win and he did not spare himself in his new commitment. He would make restitution. He would show the fruits of repentance.
What passed between them at that first glance? What was Zacchaeus’ gut reaction when he looked into the eyes of Jesus? Whatever it was it did something to Zacchaeus for his life took a complete turnaround! He was never the same after that. Salvation had come to the home of Zacchaeus to his life on which he now had a new lease.
4. THE CONCLUSION WE SHOULD PURSUE
a. Our determination to reach with God is essential to the supply of our need.
b. Our response level to God’s invitation determines His status and effectiveness in our lives.
c. Our humble submission to the will of God is essential to salvation and peace of mind.
d. Our relationship strength with God will result in decisions and actions that wins His approval.
Remember: God knows where you are, He knows who you are and He knows what your need is. He is able to supply that need if you will respond to Him when He comes calling.
