Zacchaeus- A Story of Transformation
Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult
Turn / Transform; Repentance / Luke 19:1–10
Zacchaeus interacted with Jesus and left transformed, confessing and professing a changed life.
INTRODUCTION
SLIDE #1 OPENING SLIDE
• In our world, the concept of repentance seems to be a lost concept.
SLIDE #2 THE LOST ART OF REPENTANCE
• Whenever we do something that hurts others and is a sin toward God, we tend to gravitate toward making excuses or blaming others for our problem.
• My prayer is that, as Christians, we will embrace the concept and art of repentance because, when we are able to practice it, our lives and the lives of those around us will be better.
• I believe we fear what will happen if we confess, so our fear leads us down a bad path.
• Last week we began our series, "Turn—The Heart of Repentance," by examining the importance of confession, the willingness to confess our struggle with sin to God.
• This week as we continue with our look at repentance, our focus will be on the issue of transformation.
• We must confess our sins to God and the people we hurt when we do wrong.
• As we discussed last week, simply apologizing and confessing is not sufficient; our repentance must result in transformation.
• If we express regret for our apprehension, we will not pursue transformation; instead, we will strive to avoid a similar situation in the future.
• If we are truly sorry, we will want to change our behavior so that we do not continue the actions that caused conflict with God and others.
• Today, we will examine the story of Zacchaeus, which depicts a man's transformation by Jesus.
SLIDE #3 WHO WAS ZACCHAEUS SLIDE
• As we venture through the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10, we will see the steps Zacchaeus took on his path to transformation.
• How did this rich man, hated by his countrymen for being rightfully considered a traitor, become a repentant person who was changed?
› Big Idea of the Message: Zacchaeus interacted with Jesus and left transformed, confessing and professing a changed life.
• Let’s begin our journey by turning to Luke 19:1-4.
Luke 19:1–4 NET 2nd ed.
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it.
2 Now a man named Zacchaeus was there; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
3 He was trying to get a look at Jesus, but being a short man he could not see over the crowd.
4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way.
SERMON
For repentance to lead to transformation, we must:
SLIDE 4 MAIN POINT 1 SLIDE
I. Focus on Jesus.
• I want to start off by giving you a little background concerning Zacchaeus.
• The text offers up some warning signs pertaining to Zacchaeus, things that would offer a glimpse of some of the obstacles this man would face.
• Today, the thought of tax collectors or the IRS likely evokes a negative emotional response.
• The prospect of an IRS audit would likely make most of us uneasy.
• Zacchaeus is a tax collector.
• He is not a collector of the temple taxes, but rather, he is an official representative of the Roman government.
• To make matters worse, Zacchaeus is a Jew, so he is collecting taxes for the ROMAN Government FROM the nation of Israel.
• The Romans demanded a specific amount of taxes from each territory and its people; any amount collected beyond that was kept by the collectors as their commission or for shipping and handling.
• There was a tremendous deal of dishonesty that was associated with this practice.
• Here is Zacchaeus.
• He most likely had all the material blessings one could hope for at the time, yet imagine walking the streets of your town being despised and hated.
• Why would anyone want to be a tax collector for Rome, knowing what others would think of them?
• MONEY!
• There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, but the problem comes with how one acquires wealth.
• Zacchaeus is a man who had it all, yet had nothing.
• Do you know people who are in that boat?
• Here is a man without hope, yet he finds out Jesus is in town.
• Maybe he can find what he is looking for in Jesus?
SLIDE 5 FOCUS ON JESUS
• Zacchaeus has to see Jesus.
• Verse three says he was trying to get a look at Jesus, but he was short and could not see over the crowd.
• The verse implies that Zacchaeus was trying to make visual contact, but the thought runs a little deeper.
• The phrase "was trying" denotes seeking, an investigation, or an examination.
• Zacchaeus placed his focus on Jesus; he was not simply looking to get a glance at Jesus.
• The word translated "look" denotes to feel or perceive by sight.
• Zacchaeus wanted to know what this Jesus fellow was all about.
• Despite obstacles (short stature, a crowd), he runs ahead and climbs a tree to see Jesus—something undignified for a man of his status.
• Zacchaeus was wealthy, yet spiritually bankrupt and searching for something more.
• Despite social barriers and his own dishonored reputation, he ran ahead and climbed a tree to see Jesus.
• The action of Zacchaeus reveals a spiritual hunger.
• A readiness for repentance starts when we realize our need and take steps toward Jesus.
• The focus of Zacchaeus was money; that seemed to be the focus of his life.
• For whatever reason, Zacchaeus was led to focus on Jesus even to the point he was willing to humble himself enough to climb a tree so that he could see Jesus.
• True transformation begins with a recognition of spiritual need and a willingness to overcome obstacles in pursuit of Jesus.
• Where is your focus?
• When we desire to repent, we must shift our focus from ourselves to Jesus.
• We cannot repent unless we are willing to look to Jesus, knowing that we need His forgiveness, restoration, and the power to be transformed!
• We cannot think we are too far gone for Jesus to change us.
• Zacchaeus serves as a reminder that no one is too far gone; even the most unlikely person can be drawn to Jesus.
• Here He comes, here comes Jesus!
Luke 19:5–7 NET 2nd ed.
5 And when Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, because I must stay at your house today.”
6 So he came down quickly and welcomed Jesus joyfully.
7 And when the people saw it, they all complained, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
For repentance to lead to transformation, we must:
SLIDE 6 MAIN POINT 2 WALK WITH JESUS
II. Walk with Jesus.
• Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was sitting.
• Now what?
• How many people in life have we hoped will take notice of us?
• Yet the person we are hoping will notice us pays us no attention?
• Do you remember that boy or girl you were hoping would notice you but never did?
• Zacchaeus was sitting in a tree hoping to see Jesus and probably hoping that Jesus would notice him in the crowd.
• Zacchaeus, a grown man and wealthy tax collector, must have looked a little ridiculous sitting up in a tree while hoping to see Jesus and that Jesus would finally take note of him!
• In verse five, we see that Jesus looks up and calls Zacchaeus by name, showing personal knowledge and acceptance of this man whom the world had rejected.
• Have you ever felt rejected by the world?
• It is a lonely feeling, yet here is Zacchaeus, a man of wealth, but a man who knew something in his life was missing and needed to change.
SLIDE 7 WALK WITH JESUS POINTS
• Jesus calls to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree because He wants to stay at Zacchaeus' house today!
• The way this statement from Jesus is phrased in the Greek, it means that Jesus considered it part of His mission to go to the home of Zacchaeus!
• The word "must" implies that it was mission-essential that Jesus do this!
• Here is what we need to notice: Jesus calls out to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree because Jesus wanted to go stay at his house.
• Jesus invites Himself to Zacchaeus’s house, symbolizing fellowship, relationship, and grace.
• Jesus wants to stay at your house; what will you do?
• To experience the change that comes from repentance, we must accept Jesus' invitation.
• Jesus invited Zacchaeus to walk with Him.
• What does Zacchaeus do?
• He comes down from the tree quickly and joyfully and welcomes Jesus!
• Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus.
• Zacchaeus doesn't hesitate.
• He acts immediately. His joy is evidence of a heart that’s open to change.
• Jesus wants to be with you; what will you do?
• Zacchaeus was ready to walk with Jesus, much to the consternation of the crowd.
• The crowd grumbles, highlighting how people often resist grace given to the “undeserving.”
• Walking with Jesus doesn’t come without opposition.
• When we extend grace to the "unworthy," the world may question or criticize.
• Whom might we unintentionally overlook for transformation because we do not anticipate them to walk with Jesus?
• Something else that is intriguing in the scene is Jesus doesn’t wait for Zacchaeus to clean up first; grace precedes transformation.
• Jesus came to Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the sinner who was in need of grace, not to the repentant Zacchaeus.
• Jesus meets repentance with relationship.
• Are we willing to welcome His presence?
• Repentance is not just about remorse or a moment of decision; it’s a relational journey.
• Zacchaeus wasn’t transformed because he felt guilty; he was transformed because Jesus came close, and he responded by walking with Him.
• Jesus didn’t just forgive Zacchaeus; He fellowshipped with him.
• It’s that relationship that fueled Zacchaeus’s transformation.
• If you want lasting change, don’t just say sorry—say yes to walking with Jesus."
• Let’s move to our final thought.
Luke 19:8–10 NET 2nd ed.
8 But Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I now give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I am paying back four times as much!”
9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this household, because he too is a son of Abraham!
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
For repentance to lead to transformation, we must:
SLIDE 8 MAIN POINT 3
III. Be committed to living for Jesus.
• Once Zacchaeus started walking with Jesus, something happened inside him.
• BASED ON THE REACTION WE SEE FROM ZACCHAEUS, it would be easy to surmise that Jesus did some teaching, and Zacchaeus was moved and convicted to change.
• He looks at Jesus, probably in utter amazement, and makes a couple of proclamations.
SLIDE 9 WHAT HE WAS WILLING TO GIVE
• Zacchaeus doesn’t just feel bad; he stands up and makes a public declaration of a new way of life.
• He voluntarily gives beyond what the Law required.
• The law required restitution plus 20%; Zacchaeus promises 400%.
• Transformation shows up in what we do, not just what we say.
• Repentance that transforms involves moving your feet, your wallet, and your priorities.
• Zacchaeus doesn't try to negotiate or hide parts of his life; he lays it all down.
• This is no longer about religion or reputation—it’s about devotion.
• Transformation comes when we stop living for ourselves and start living for Him.
Galatians 2:20 NET 2nd ed.
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Commitment Is Ongoing, Not Just a One-Time Moment
• Zacchaeus’s statement is just the beginning. His lifestyle will now reflect his faith.
• Jesus didn’t just visit his house for dinner; He moved into his life.
• Transformation continues as we keep walking, keep surrendering, and keep obeying.
CONCLUSION
• Zacchaeus came down from the tree, but he didn’t stop there.
• He got up, gave up, and lived up to the grace he had received.
• That’s the call for us, too.
• Repentance is the doorway, but commitment is the path.
• If you want transformation, it’s not enough to meet Jesus; you’ve got to live for Him
› Application Point: We can trust that God will offer transformation when our hearts are truly repentant.
