Loneliness is one of the plagues of our time. With so many things to do, so many diversions-- movies, videos, sports, television, night clubs, amusements, the job, etc.--people still find themselves alone.
Along with loneliness, there is a famine of friends. Someone has said, “Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief” but in reality we all have plenty of acquaintances but few friends. We have plenty of people in and around our lives that we interact with--co-workers, neighbors, family but few of us have true blue friends.
Social media has afforded many to have hundreds, even thousands of “friends” but within that far-reaching list of pictures and profiles, faces and facts, most people will only have a handful of people, perhaps only one or two, they would consider a close friend.
In our message today we will learn of a man who was virtually friendless until he met Jesus, the friend of sinners. His name is Zacchaeus. In today’s message we are going to look at (1) The person of Zacchaeus, (2) The problem of Zacchaeus, (3) The persistence of Zacchaeus, (4) The position of Zacchaeus, (5) The performance of Zacchaeus, and (6) The proof of Zacchaeus.
I. The Person of Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:1 NASB) And He (Jesus) entered and was passing through Jericho.
(Luke 19:2 NASB) And behold, there was a man called by the name of Zacchaeus; and he was a chief tax-gatherer, and he was rich.
It is interesting that the name “Zacchaeus” comes from the Hebrew root which means “to be transparent or clean.” It also means “innocent.” This must have been a point of mocking by the townsfolk. You see, the Jews lived in a culture where a person’s name was associated with who they were. Zacchaeus’ name meant “transparent” or “clean” but he was far from being innocent. He was a crooked tax-collector, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of Rome.
Zacchaeus is called a "chief among the tax-collectors" (vs. 2), because he was hired by the Roman government to be in charge of the collection of taxes from his own people. What made it worse was that they took the tax plus an additional sum to line their own pockets.
Tax Collectors were held in the lowest esteem because of their excessive profiteering. Tax Collectors were considered “sinners” and were placed in the same category as harlots (Matt 21:32).
Because of the nature of his job and his dishonesty, the Bible says Zacchaeus was rich and because he was rich he had no real friends. Yes, he had people who hung around him for the money and the pleasures associated with having money but they were not real friends.
As is often the case with these kinds of people, once the well runs dry they will find some other “cash cow.”
II. The Problem of Zacchaeus
The story of Zacchaeus continues in verse three of our text.
Luke 19:3 NASB) And he was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.
In the previous chapter, we are told that as Jesus was approaching Jericho, a huge crowd had already been following Him. By the time Jesus entered Jericho there was such an uproar that Zacchaeus probably heard the commotion from his tax office.
By now Jesus had a big reputation. When someone would mention the name “Jesus of Nazareth” huge crowds would form. This was because Jesus had healed the sick, made the lame walk and fed the multitude from a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish.
I imagine that as Zacchaeus left his office to inquire about the noise—someone in the crowd told him that Jesus of Nazareth was in town. So Zacchaeus tried to get closer but he couldn’t see. Verse 3 tells us that he couldn’t see Jesus for two reasons:
(1) The press of the crowd was too great for him.
Zacchaeus tried to get closer but the crowd was too great. Probably some of the townsfolk noticed that it was “Mr. Rip-off” and purposely moved in his way or shoved him aside.
(2) He was small in stature - he was short.
Each and every time I go to this passage of Scripture and read about Zacchaeus, I cannot help but to think about an actor that would most certainly be chosen to play this man if ever a movie was made telling this story.
Many of us remember a character from the sitcom Taxi named Louie De Palma. His real name is Danny DeVito. A New York Times biography describes DeVito as, “single handedly” portraying characters with mile-long, obnoxious jerk streaks that are nonetheless somehow loveable…DeVito…has made an art form out of playing endearingly loathsome little men.” I’m sorry, but this is the way I see Zacchaeus.
I believe that it was more than curiosity that motivated him to try and get a better look. Could it be that by this time in Zacchaeus’ life he had a heavy heart. Remember, he was alone with his riches and had no true friends. He had money but money can’t buy love, joy and peace.
I would go further and suggest that he felt some conflict going on inside about his dishonest tactics. If so, this was the Holy Spirit beginning His redemptive work. Jesus says in John 16:8 that it is the Holy Spirit who brings the conviction of sin to our hearts.
This could be why Zacchaeus tries desperately to see Jesus, knowing He was about to pass by.
III. The Persistence of Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:4 NASB) And he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.
Zacchaeus was short in stature; his efforts to get to Jesus were probably resisted by those in the crowd who recognized him as the filthy-rich IRS chief.
But he didn’t let any of those hindrances get in his way. He ran and climbed in order to see Jesus.
Zacchaeus was a quick thinker and used some ingenuity. He saw which way the crowd was going and ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree.
This ought to be convicting for some of us. We don’t have to push through a crowd and run and climb a tree to meet with Jesus; many folk have a hard time climbing out of bed, let alone a tree. God has made it simple:
* All we have to do is have a willing heart
* All we have to do is open the Bible.
* All we have to do is bow our heads and pray, asking God to open our heart.
Zacchaeus must have been the one who coined the phrase, “If there is a will, there is a way.” Are you doing everything within your ability to see Jesus? Is there anything hindering you from seeing Jesus?
Is it pride? Pride could have surely stopped Zacchaeus in his tracks. He could have thought to himself, “What would people think?”
It was ironic that the tree Zacchaeus climbed was a sycamore tree. A sycamore tree was a poor man’s tree. It was used as food for the poor. (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:27.) Poor people used its wood rather than expensive cedar (Isa. 9:10).
Zacchaeus had to humble himself to see Jesus.
Is it materialism? Zacchaeus could have been preoccupied with counting his money as the crowd moved past his shop and missed the entire event. He could have made a date to watch that new TV show that’s been advertised for weeks. Working hard to collect those taxes could have made him feel too tired to make the trip to see Jesus.
Is it an incorrect assumption about Jesus Himself? Zacchaeus could have thought to himself, “Jesus would never waste His time with the likes of me. He’s got better things to do with better people.” Zach could have let this kind of assumption keep him in his house.
Is it procrastination? Zacchaeus could have reasoned within himself, “He’ll come through town again one day. I’ll see Him the next time around.”
But Luke 19:4 says that Zacchaeus ran. Zacchaeus’ running and climbing wasn’t in vain because he accomplished what he needed to do; he saw Jesus. But the unexpected happened. Jesus saw him!
(Luke 19:5 NASB) And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
I just know this took Zacchaeus by surprise! Out of all the thousands of people that were crowding Jesus, He looked up and not only saw him but spoke to him!
But so many today are convinced that God doesn’t know, nor does He care about our circumstances.
* Atheism believes there is no God or divine being
* Buddhism believes there is no God but if they exist there are many
* Followers of Deepak Chopra believe that God is in everything—we are all gods.
* Deism believes there is one Creator God but that God is uninterested in the world
* Epicureanism believes there are many gods but they take no notice of humans
* Gnosticism believes there is a supreme God but he is unknowable
* Islam believes there is one God but you have no choice but to submit to him or die
* Pantheism believes that there is a divine being but He is out of town on vacation
But the Bible says that God knows and He cares.
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...” (2 Chr 16:9 NASB)
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Mat 11:28-30 NASB)
“We have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God's kindness to receive mercy and find grace, which will help us at the right time.” (Heb 4:15-16 GW)
IV. The Position of Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:5 NASB) And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
Notice that Jesus says, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
This is a comfort to me because Jesus met Zacchaeus just where he was. Perhaps this is where the idiom, “Up a tree” comes from. Jesus accepted Zacchaeus just as He was.
* Jesus didn’t tell him he had to put on the proper clothes to meet with Him.
* Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus to go to the Synagogue
* Jesus didn’t ask him for an offering or contribution before He could talk to him
* Jesus didn’t say to him, “What you want is the Baptist church down the street.”
* Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus to quit his job at the IRS
Jesus was saying to him, “Come as you are!”
I imagine that Zacchaeus could sing the song, “He Looked Beyond My Faults And Saw My Needs”
Amazing Grace..Will always be my song of praise.
For it was grace, that brought me liberty,
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me
How marvelous, His grace that caught my falling soul
He Looked beyond my faults and saw my need.
Verse six says, “And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly.” Zacchaeus came down from the tree but notice in verse seven how the religious folk began to act:
(Luke 19:7 NASB) And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."
The religious folk may have had the wrong attitude but they had Jesus’ mission right.
Earlier in Luke chapter four Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is with me. He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin…” In Mark 2:17 Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Zacchaeus was “up a tree” but Jesus said “Come down, today I am dining at your house.”
V. The Performance Zacchaeus
Notice the progression:
1. The Spirit of God creates a desperation in the heart of Zacchaeus.
2. Zacchaeus’ spiritual need presses him to seek out Jesus.
3. Jesus responds to Zacchaeus seeking.
4. Jesus invites Himself into Zacchaeus’ house (life).
5. Zacchaeus receives Jesus gladly.
Step 2 and step 5 is where many people stumble.
Unlike Zacchaeus, Some never get out of the starting blocks. They have the hunger and the thirst for God but begin to fill it with all sorts of things.
Pascal, the mathematician and philosopher said that “There is a God-shaped void in every person’s life.” People throughout human history have tried to fill that void with sex, drugs, food, material and luxury and ambition.
Many like Zacchaeus get to the point where they know something is wrong and they know something is missing but unlike Zacchaeus, they never come down from the tree. They are content with looking at Jesus from afar.
Jesus says, “Come on down that I may dwell in your house.” They say to Jesus, “Not my house, no, it’s too dirty. “Let me clean it up a bit and then I’ll invite you in.” “Come back tomorrow.”
But the Word of God counters that kind of response in Hebrews 4:7 where it says, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
The writer of Hebrews is giving us a principal. The principal is that God never grows weary of inviting Himself in. The problem is our hearts grow weary of hearing Him.
Another verse in Hebrews 3 says, “You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”
After a while, a person loses the ability to hear the invitation—he tunes Jesus out of his life. Over time the heart grows hard and cold.
The point Scripture is making is that Zacchaeus did not have to perform. He didn’t have to clean up his life in order to get saved; God would do the necessary cleaning.
Zacchaeus hurried and came down, and received Jesus gladly but there was one more thing we need to look at with respect to Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus.
VI. The Proof of Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus shows the proof of a changed life.
(Luke 19:8 NASB) And Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much."
We’ve got a lot of people going around saying that they are Christians but have no proof.
Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew chapter seven:
(Mat 7:18 NASB) "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
(Mat 7:19 NASB) "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
When Jesus saves you, He transforms you from the inside out. I don’t care what anyone says, if you say you have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord you are a different person.
Historians tell us that Jesse James killed a man in a bank robbery and shortly thereafter was baptized in the Kearney Baptist Church located at Clay County, Missouri.
After he was baptized we are told Jesse James killed another man, a bank cashier, and joined the church choir and taught people to sing hymns.
When the Bible speaks of people getting saved, it is not referring about an outward conformity to religious traditions. If you are saved, there should be a change in your character, a change in your motives; there should be a change in the things you desire and the things you detest; there should be change in how you spend your time and your money; there is a change in your vocabulary.
You now have a new hope, a new reason for living because you have a new Master.
Zacchaeus all of a sudden had a desire to clean up his life. But instead of trying it on his own, he had some help. He had the power and strength of God, Himself!
Not only did he no longer think of himself--he gave half of his money to the poor. But he wanted to make restitution for any wrong that he had done.
(Luke 19:9 NASB) And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.
The Jews remembered Abraham not only for being the Father of Judaism but also the father of faith. (Romans 4:9-12)
In a 3rd-century debate on Christianity, Celsus said to Origen, "When most teachers go forth to teach, they cry, 'Come to me, you who are clean and worthy,' and they are followed by the highest caliber of people available. But your silly master Jesus cries, 'Come to me, you who are down and beaten by life,' and so He accumulates around him the rag, tag and bobtail of humanity."
And Origen replied: "Yes, they are the rag, tag and bobtail of humanity. But Jesus does not leave them that way. Out of material you would have thrown away as useless, He fashions men, giving them back their self-respect, enabling them to stand on their feet and look God in the eyes. They were cowed, cringing, broken things. But the Son has set them free."
(Luke 19:10 NASB) "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Jesus is the friend of sinners and wants to set you free. You can receive this freedom only as you agree with God when He declares that you have been trying to life by your own terms--this is called sin. You must turn away from sin and come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Pray with me: “Lord Jesus, I have sinned against you. I have been trying to run my own life according to my own rules. I believe that you died to take my sin away. I trust you now as my Savior from sin and the Boss of my life. Amen”
If you prayed with me today, please check the "I'm committing my life to Christ" box on the Communicator Card in your bulletin and someone will contact you to talk with you about your new life in Christ.
If you are already a Christian but are without a church home that you are committed to attending on a regular basis, I encourage you to check the block on your Communicator Card that says, “I’m interested in church membership.”
The Bible says a Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It is an unnatural state. The Bible says, “You belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (Ephesians 2:19b LB).
Today’s culture of independent individualism has created many spiritual orphans—“bunny believers” who hop around from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment. Many believe it is possible to be a “good Christian” without joining (or even attending) a local church, but God would strongly disagree.
Except for a few important exceptions referring to all believers throughout history, almost every time the word church is used in the Bible it refers to a local, visible congregation. The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation.
A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not committed to any specific group of disciples. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT)
We show what we believe by belonging.
