TITLE: COME ON DOWN
SCRIPTURE: ST. LUKE 19:1-10
I am reminded of a game show that has been televised since 1956 entitled THE PRICE IS RIGHT. Even if you are not a fan of the game show we are very familiar with the announcers call to those in attendance as they hope for the opportunity to be called as a contestant in an effort to win various Prizes and Trips. The announcer calls a contestants name from the audience and it is followed by the CLARION CALL of COME ON DOWN.
• Excited contestants have jumped from their seats and run down the aisle in excitement
• They take their place with the host and try to accurately guess the cost of various items
• Ultimately, if you do not hear your name called followed by Come On Down, then you simply keep your seat until the next round
In our text this morning we find this same scenario taking place before us. We can literally hear the clarion call of Come On Down and the EXCITEMENT and ANTICIPATION that follows. What is the Prize? Money – Trips? Throughout history, even our governments and other entities have often decided that EXTRACTING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY from people was a great way to RAISE LARGE AMOUNTS OF REVENUE. That was rarely more true, than within the Roman Empire.
• The Roman Empire was, after all, an expensive proposition
• All those roads, government buildings, local rulers and soldiers had to be underwritten
• Heavily taxing the local citizens was an answer to the money need
The sad reality is that the Roman Empire resembles much of Christendom today. From pulpits across the land it seems as though many of those in leadership are only concerned about Extracting Excessive Amounts of Money and dressing it – wrapping it in the pages of the Holy Writ. It seems to me that the local church has become nothing more than a facility to Raise Large Amounts of Revenue and focus upon building barns.
• Pastors are just like Superstars
• Pastors can no longer be bothered with people
• Personal jets to keep them separated from the masses
• Travel in luxury automobiles
• Live in the best neighborhoods
• The danger is when these things become our Motivation
In our text we find a Wealthy Man by the name of ZACCHAEUS. According to Scripture, he was a "CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR." This does not mean Zacchaeus was a civil servant as are the tax collectors of the Internal Revenue Service in our day and age. In fact, the Roman system of government had no civil servants; instead, the civil service was run by volunteers. Back then, tax collectors were self-employed businessmen who bid for the right to collect taxes for the Romans. They made a profit only by collecting more in taxes than they had contracted to pay to the Roman authorities.
• In the Israel of Jesus’ day, the Romans recruited locals to be their tax collectors
• Local citizens would know who had money and who therefore could be squeezed for larger “contributions“
• We meet such a Roman employee today
In the Roman provinces there were THREE MAIN KINDS OF TAXES:
• A PRODUCE TAX - on all the crops and goods produced
• A UNIVERSAL POLL TAX - assessed every resident
• A TOLL OR CUSTOMS TAX - to be paid as goods were transported from one province to another. To collect this last tax, custom booths were located at the border between provinces on all the major highways and trade routes
Tax collectors like Zacchaeus were hated and feared. Don't forget, they were self-employed businessmen who made a profit only by collecting more in taxes than they had contracted to pay to the Roman authorities.
• Zacchaeus" – that's a Hebrew name
• This means Zacchaeus was a Jew and a physical descendant of Abraham
• "Zacchaeus" – this name means "the righteous one"
• Obviously, Zacchaeus did not live up to the promise of his name for he was anything but righteous
• Also, he may trace his physical descent from Abraham, but he is not a true child of Abraham
• True children of Abraham, you see, have Abraham's faith and righteousness
In spite all that we know about Zacchaeus, he is famous to New Testament readers, not because of his occupation, but because of his size. His short stature, not his short-changing of people in Jericho are how Bible readers remember him. The text introduces this Biblical figure to us by informing that Jesus was passing through Jericho. Apparently, Zacchaeus had heard about the man called Jesus. He hears that Jesus and a crowd were about to pass through. Because of his short stature he runs and climbs up into a Sycamore Tree to catch a glimpse of the famous teacher.
What is about to happen in this text is so interesting because of what had just transpired One Chapter Prior. Our Bible readers will remember that one chapter prior - Jesus had just told the story of another tax collector, one who went into the temple to pray. Near him stood a pompous Pharisee. Jesus’ descriptions of the two men would have left His audience expecting Him to APPLAUD THE PHARISEE AND CONDEMN THE TAX COLLECTOR. But as Jesus told His story, most listeners were dumbfounded when He declared the TAX COLLECTOR WHO RECOGNIZED HIS SIN, LEFT THE TEMPLE JUSTIFIED. The Pharisee, the Religious leader of their time did not.
We may ask the question Why? Because with the God of all Grace, Jesus showed, it’s never proud, self-assured religious people who gain God‘s acceptance.
• God demonstrates His grace in the life of the one who knows his sin and takes hold of forgiveness
• Jesus said, the sick need a doctor, not the ones who consider themselves to be healthy
This is a lesson that we seem to have forgotten today. All too often we enter into the pulpits all across the land with a POMPOUS ATTITUDE. We come into the pulpits with our MUSCLE SHIRTS and our TIGHT CLOTHING totally disrespecting who God called us to be.
• We have Lost our Humility in the Pulpits
• We have Lost our Integrity in the Pulpits
• We have relinquished the Pulpit to the Praise Team – Praise Dancers – Minister of Music
Less you begin to Shout too Loud, it is not all in the Pulpit, there is also FAULT IN THE PEWS. Just like Zacchaeus who began to run and climb a tree because he heard that Jesus was passing through. The crowd was so great that he could not get a glimpse at ground level. We still have crowds today, they are surrounding many of the Pastors across the land, and just like Zacchaeus, we find the crowds gathering and making a big fuss over many Pastors today, treating them like rock stars. Many of us can’t even get close to some of the Preachers today, because they are too big. You ought to have access to your Pastor.
Look at the text again with me. JESUS ENTERED JERICHO AND WAS PASSING THROUGH.
Zaccheus hurries ahead of the crowd and scurries up into that sycamore fig tree in order to see him, for He was about to pass through that way. Notice something? Jesus wasn’t coming to Jericho. He’s on the road through Jericho.
Unlike Jesus, we have Pastors and Preachers today that are so big, they don’t have time for us. The most they will do is Pass through.
• If our Church is Not Big Enough – Pass Through
• If we are Not Relevant Enough – Pass Through
• If Pastor is not Recognized Name – Pass Through
• If the Price is not Right – Pass Through
If we read on in our text, we would see that Jesus is headed for Jerusalem. He is now close to the end of His earthly ministry. He’s traveling to Bethany, to stay with his good friends, and then He will go into Jerusalem for the triumphal entry and begin the final week before His arrest and crucifixion.
• Jesus understood His mission
• He stayed on Task
• He did not allow anyone or anything to take Him off course
• The crowds did not Sway Him
• The Praise did not Distract Him
He’s passing through Jericho. But, as you will see displayed in the gospels again and again, even though He had an agenda, even though He had a clear plan and a clear path to follow - HE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
• Not the Mega Church -- but the Individual
• Not the Corporate Jets and Private Airports -- but the Individual
• Not the Body Guards and Armor Bearers -- but the Individual
• Not the Five Star Hotels and Bentley Sales Team - but the Individual
• You remember - there was the Woman at the Well
• You Remember - there was the Woman who touched His Garment in the huge crowd
• You Remember don’t you – there was the Mother whose son had died and who stopped Him as He was on the way to heal another parent’s child
• You Remember – the Blind people who cried out
• You Remember - A Demoniac no one cared about
• In case after case, a very, very busy Jesus -- the Person Who had the greatest goal and agenda in all of human history -- stopped, and took time for individuals like this lonely despised tax collector
I can’t understand today these Preachers that will not take the time to minister to People. I can’t understand for the life of me those called to Ministry and are too busy to spend time with People.
• Will not visit the Sick and Shut In
• Will not visit those in the Hospital
• Will not take the time to go to the Nursing Homes
• Will not conduct Funerals for your own members
• Will not go to a Public Airport
• We are Too High Today
• Will not attend and support local Revival
• Will not attend and support local Church celebrations
• Our thoughts about Ministry and ourselves are just too high
Can't you just imagine Zacchaeus up in the branches, just about hidden from view, quietly watching the approach of the Lord? And, Jesus, when He reached the tree Zacchaeus was in, HE STOPPED.
• What was Jesus doing?
• Maybe Zacchaeus scarcely dared to take in even a single breath as he looked down at Jesus below him
• And then Jesus looked up and talked to Zacchaeus
• Jesus knew Zacchaeus was there and He knew his name
ZACCHAEUS, MAKE HASTE AND COME ON DOWN. What a terrible position to be in, when we find ourselves DANGEROUSLY POSITIONED HIGHER THAN CHRIST. Can I FOOTNOTE here. This is the problem with much of Christianity today, especially from the Pulpits. We find that many Pastors and Preachers try to position themselves higher than Christ.
• We try to Think for Jesus
• We try to Speak for Jesus
• We try to Replace Jesus
• Always have a Word that Jesus Never Spoke
• Lying on the Lord - Lord Told Me To Tell You
• We Blame Jesus for our Foolishness
Jesus looks up and tells Zacchaeus to Come Down. Zacchaeus, you need to recognize there is nothing I can do for you when you are Positioned too High. I have to look up at you and you are looking down on me, I can’t help you in that Position.
• I know that you are a Bishop – but Come On Down
• I know that you are an Apostle – but Come On Down
• I know that you are a Prophet – but Come On Down
• I know that you are a Pastor – but Come On Down
• I know that you Speak in Tongues – but Come On Down
• Zacchaeus - Come On Down
Jesus DID NOT MAKE A STATEMENT - "I would like to stay at your house today."
• Jesus DID NOT MAKE A REQUEST - "May I stay at your house today?"
• Rather, HE MADE A DEMAND - "I must stay at your house today"
• "MUST" – the Greek word used here signifies divine action, divine purpose, divine mission
• "I must stay at your house today"
• In other words, Jesus saw His visit to Zacchaeus, just a few days before His crucifixion, as part of His divine mission
Jesus is not concerned about His reputation being tarnished -- He’s going after someone who needs God’s grace.
• He came to seek and to save that which was lost
• You can’t do that by staying in the safety of a self-satisfied and religious crowd
• Holy huddles rarely provide us contact with people who need Christ
• Christ didn’t come to bolster self-righteous people
• He came to save sinners
• He did not come to be on the National Revival Circuit
• He did not come to be Featured in the Category of Top Preachers
• He came to save those who are Lost
Some of us are still up in the Tree. Jesus has not visited our home. Jesus said HURRY UP AND COME ON DOWN. We don’t have time to waste, there are people that need to be saved. Jesus said Hurry up, because the longer you are up in the Tree, the longer you position yourself above me, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU. If you Don’t Hurry and Come Down, I:
• Won’t be able to keep the Media from Exposing You
• Won’t be able to keep you out of the Court Room
• Won’t be able to keep you from settling out of Court
• Won’t be able to keep the Handcuffs from around your wrists
• Won’t be able to keep your Marriage from Falling Apart
• Won’t be able to keep your Preachers Kids from being Strung Out on Drugs
• Won’t be able to keep your Preachers Kids from Embarrassing You with their Foul Mouths
• Won’t be able to keep you from Dying in Compromising Positions in Hotel Rooms
• Won’t be able to keep you from being Creeping and Being Caught in Red Light District
• Hurry Up and Come On Down
We have been too High for too Long. God cannot effectively use us if we are still up in the Sycamore Tree. We are too high to be of use to one another. People need to be Saved and we are too high.
--Won’t Go Preach Unless we Collect $5,000 - $10,000
--Won’t Go Preach Unless you Pay for my Round Trip and I have the means
--Won’t Go Preach Unless you Put me up in a Five Star Hotel
--Won’t Go Preach Unless I think that you are Relevant
--Won’t Go Preach If Your Congregation is Not Large Enough
--Won’t Go Preach Unless I know how many members you have
I hear the Lord Saying This Morning Come On Down!
--How much did God Charge You for Salvation? -- Come On Down
--How much Did it Cost You to be Redeemed in the Blood of the Lamb? -- Come On Down
--How much Did God Charge You to Fill you with the Precious Holy Ghost? -- Come On Down
--How much Did God Charge You each Time He blessed your spirit with that Dynamic Sermon you Preached?
-- Come On Down
FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST
--Not IS Lost
--But Was Lost
--Somebody Needs to Hear the Word of God – Come On Down
--Somebody Needs to Hear that Song in your Spirit – Come On Down
--Somebody is waiting to be blessed by your ministry – Come On Down
-- Come On Down – So God Can Use You
-- Come On Down – So God Can Bless You
-- Come On Down – So God Can Anoint You
-- Come On Down – So God Can Save You
