Zacchaeus’ Big Climb Up.
Luke 19:1-10TPT
Jesus has a divine need to connect and covenant to all mankind. His need for all individuals out weighs His personal wants and, or, desires. Every move Jesus made, He made with purpose. God’s intention through His Son according to Luke 19:10, is to seek and to save the lost.
About tax collectors: Tax collectors contract with Romans to collect taxes in a particular town or region, and pay a substantial fee for their franchise.
Zacchaeus most likely subcontracts the actual collection of taxes. His profit is the amount of taxes collected less the franchise fee and salaries of lesser tax collectors.
The system was prone to abuse, rewarding tax collectors for excessive collections. If citizens rebel, Roman soldiers stood ready to back the tax collector through any means necessary.
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. 2 There lived a very wealthy man named Zacchaeus, who supervised all the tax collectors. 3 He was very eager to see Jesus and kept trying to get a look at him through the massive crowd. Since Zacchaeus was a short man and couldn’t see over the heads of the people, 4 he ran on ahead of everyone and climbed up a blossoming fig tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by.
5 When Jesus got to that place, he looked up into the tree and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry on down, for I must stay at your house today!”
6 So he scurried down the tree and found himself face-to-face with Jesus.
I wonder what that encounter was like? Jesus—filled with compassion and piercing eyes, with His gentle disposition, He invites Himself over to Zacchaeus’ house. P.H
Luke 19:7-8TPT As Jesus left to go with Zacchaeus, many in the crowd complained, “Look at this! Of all the people to have dinner with, he’s going to eat in the house of a crook.”
8 Zacchaeus was amazed over his gracious visit to his home and joyously welcomed Jesus. Zacchaeus stood in front of the Lord and said, “Half of all that I own I will give to the poor. And Lord, if I have cheated anyone, I promise to pay them back four times as much as I stole.”
One of many opportunities came while on staff at Liberty Square COG, in Cartersville, Jenny and I were over the singles ministry.
A young man was dramatically saved by the name of Frank Grooms, He did some crime before coming to Jesus. Frank felt a strong need to confess to these unsolved crimes. I knew that was true salvation. He did and the courts just gave him some probation.
Luke 19:9TPT Jesus said to him, “Your repentance shows that today life has come to you and your household, and that you are a true son of Abraham.
The name—“Zacchaeus,” sounds Greek, but its Hebrew root would have meant “clean, pure”—possibly ironic, given what we think we know about tax collectors.
Several truths I want to point out about—Luke 19:1-9.
Luke 19:1TPT On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho.
Every translation I’ve read stresses that Jesus was just passing through Jericho.
As Jesus made His way through, Jesus sensed a passion-pull, a hunger, a demand placed on His Father's Word.
Luke 10:2AMP And there was a man called Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector [a superintendent to whom others reported], and he was rich.
All regional tax collector’s brought their tax purses to Zaccheus, In return, he would collect and inspect all lute. Finally, He would take a large cut off the top of all collections.
Notice, verse 2, stresses that Zacchaeus was rich.
Proverbs 10:2AMP Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
This OT chapter, would hold true for Zacchaeus: Micah 2:1-2AMP Woe (judgment is coming) to those who devise wickedness And plot evil on their beds! When morning comes, they practice evil Because it is in the power of their hands. 2 They covet fields and seize them, And houses, and take them away. They oppress and rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance.
Zacchaeus practiced evil. He plotted, and devised. According to history, Tax Collectors not only the book money, they coveted, and seized land and houses; They oppress and rob.
Luke 19:3-4TM He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
Remember this, you must get higher than the crowd to see Jesus.
God knows how to trigger desperation within mankind; Zacchaeus was desperate for change!
Zacchaeus went to view Jesus, maybe to see what all the fuss was about. However, what Zacchaeus didn’t realize was that Jesus wanted to see Zacchaeus even worse.
Zacchaeus life so far, was focused on the extrinsic, the things that gather rust and moth. Things noticed from a far. Why, because it shines, it valuable, it’s big, it expensive, it spells luxurious.
According to what this world values, this world’s standards, Zacchaeus had it all.
However, Zacchaeus was a lonely guy. As he walked down the city streets he could feel the hostile glares.
Zacchaeus had a two-fold reason to climb a tree:
To stay away from the common crowd, mainly because he was perceived as a traitor.
God’s word points out that Zacchaeus was short. This tree would give him height advantage. Also he probably felt that him being up in a tree would be discreet.
Jesus stops, looks up the tree to find this tax collector, named Zacchaeus.
In Matthew 19:16-22TPT, it reads, 16 Then a young man approached Jesus and bowed before him, saying, “Wonderful teacher—is there a good work I have to do to obtain eternal life?”
17 Jesus answered, “Why would you call me wonderful? God alone is wonderful. And why would you ask what good work you need to do? Keep the commandments and you’ll enter into the life of God.” 18 “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, 19 honor your father and mother, and love those around you as you love yourself.” 20 “But I’ve always obeyed every one of them without fail,” the young man replied. “What else do I lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you really want to be perfect, go now and sell everything you own. Give your money to the poor and your treasure will be transferred into heaven. Then come back and follow me for the rest of your life.”
22 When the young man heard these words, he walked away sad, for he had great wealth.
I think it’s fair to say that this young man possessions and great wealth owned him. Wealth became his ball and chain.
Would Zacchaeus’ response become like the young rich rulers? Remember, Jesus asked this young Rich Ruler to give all his possessions away, he heard this, and the Scriptures say he walked away in sorrow.
Back to Zacchaeus, Jesus draws close, He looks up, and spots Zacchaeus.
Luke 19:5TM When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.”
Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name! Zacchaeus’ plans went but this far—Just yo set his eyes on Jesus.
However, Jesus’ plans were to invite Himself to Zacchaeus’ house. This lonely chief-tax- collector dined by himself, but suddenly his guest is the Son of God.
Why would God be interested in Zacchaeus?
God seeks sick hearts—lonely hearts.
Zacchaeus’ conversion would show the world God’s delivering power.
God doesn’t see what we see—Jesus saw a potential Pastor.
According to Clement of Alexandria, one of the church fathers, says that Zacchaeus became a very prominent Christian leader and a pastor of the church in Caesarea.
Almost on every occasion Jesus seeks out. Just as He sought Zacchaeus, he sought out, Nathanael under a fig tree. Just as He sought out Nathanael, He sought out Peter, Andrew, James, and John, whom he called to follow Him.
Q&A: What were you doing when Jesus found you?
Isaiah 43:1NIV But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Say your name out loud—God knows your name!
Jesus considered it absolutely necessary that He must be a guest in this outcast’s home. The Daily Bread say’s this, Imagine that! The Savior of the world wanting to spend time with a scam artiest. Once more, Eating and drinking with a crook.
Remember this, Jesus can see the whole picture, the whole heart.
Luke 19:6-7TM Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”
Words and opinions of men and women can be hard and harsh, Half truths, and rightfully so, but Jesus can touch a stoney heart and make it a heart of flesh, and then He converts the heart of flesh to a spiritual man.
Luke 19:8TM Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
Ding! Exactly what Jesus wanted to hear. Zacchaeus exchanged earthly riches for eternal wealth.
Luke 19:9TM Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!
God doesn’t condemn His people having earthly possessions; but He does condemn when earthly possessions have us.
7 great Bible truth’s about earthly possessions:
1. Earthly possessions are inferior to the heavenly one
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
We should desire heavenly riches more than earthly ones.
2. Earthly possessions will be destroyed eventually
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
When Jesus splits the Eastern skies on a cloud in the air, all earthly treasures will be— nothingness.
3. Earthly possessions can’t be trusted
Proverbs 11:28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Every day something of worldly value is broken, destroyed, lost, or stolen.
4. Earthly possessions can’t be given in exchange for your soul.
Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Truth—When we all stand before God, there won’t be one earthly possession in our hands.
5. Earthly possessions can be used for heavenly purposes.
Jesus said in, Luke 16:9TPT Use the wealth of this world to demonstrate your friendship with God by winning friends and blessing others. Then, when it runs out, your generosity will provide you with an eternal reward.
Our finances that support missionaries and Christ-driven ministries allow the resources to flow, so that the Good News will be spread to the ends of the earth.
6. Earthly possessions are worthless, compared to a good name.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
A good reputation brings a lifetime of blessings and respect; while the loss of reputation brings scorn that will follow people to the grave and beyond.
7. Earthly possessions can choke the desire for God
The parable of the sower—Luke 8:14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
A great number of people have come to the end of their lives with robust bank accounts, but spiritually bankrupt. How sad. P.H
Listen to Jesus’ words, hear His heart in the conclusion, Luke 19:10AMP for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Benediction.
