Introduction
Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Have you been to the doctor lately? Most of us at one time or another have found it necessary to go to the doctor. Having been sick for a period of time the point was reached when you said: “It is time I go to the doctor.” You go to be healed from whatever might be troubling you. Sometimes the family doctor cannot diagnose the cause of your illness and then he might send you to a specialist. The specialist runs a number of tests to try to determine your problem. You go to the doctor with the expectation that he can help overcome your sickness. However, you also know the doctor is not always able to help. Sometimes he can do nothing. All of us have heard of someone who received the bad news from their doctor stating: “Sorry, I can’t help you. There is nothing I can do.”
This is the news Zacchaeus heard from the society in which he lived. Zacchaeus was considered to be a hopeless case. It was thought that nothing could be done to help him. No, Zacchaeus was not physically sick. In fact, he was probably quite fit being able to climb a tree, but Zacchaeus was spiritually sick. The Jewish religious system had no hope for people such as Zacchaeus. The Scribes and Pharisees looked on him as if he had an incurable disease.
Yes, salvation was highly unlikely for a man like Zacchaeus, who was a rich publican. The rich young ruler in the previous chapter, Luke 18, seemed a more likely candidate for salvation, but yet Zacchaeus, a rich publican, was granted salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is granted to him because salvation is a God's free gift through Jesus Christ. Salvation is free because there is nothing to be found in us, there was nothing to be found in Zacchaeus, that could in any way induce God to be merciful. The righteousness of Jesus Christ is the sole source of our finding favour in God’s sight.
A few chapters earlier, in Luke 15, Christ illustrated His yearning love for lost sinners in a general way by giving the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Now, in Luke 19, Christ shows His yearning love very specifically and personally in the salvation of Zacchaeus. We see how the Lord rescued Zacchaeus from all his sins and transgressions. Therefore our theme this morning is:
Christ displays His Great Mercy for Sinners by saving Zacchaeus
We will consider how Christ's mercy is:
I. Displayed in His seeking love
II. Shown in His saving power
III. Confirmed in His wondrous pronouncement
I. The mercy of Christ is displayed in His seeking love
Jesus sought out and was merciful to Zacchaeus in spite of the fact that he was the chief publican. Publicans were tax collectors for the Roman government. They were normally Jews who had sold themselves out to the Romans for their own profit. They were considered to be renegades, who sold their services to the foreign oppressor to make money at the expense of their own countryman. This work gave them opportunities to take advantage of the people. In collecting taxes often they had cheated the people, taking much more than was required. This extra money was used for their own gain. No one liked a tax collector but because of their dishonesty they were hated. However, Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector but the chief tax collector, so he was likely hated even more.
The tax collectors were mentioned in one breath with sinners. The phrase, publicans and sinners, occurs no less than eight times in the gospels. Also twice the phrase, publicans and harlots, is used. In rabbinical writings they are classified with robbers. Jesus himself recognized the common attitude towards the publicans when he states in Matthew 5:46: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do the same? When one was a publican, they were considered to be among the worst sinners. A chief publican, such as Zacchaeus, was considered to be the worst of the worst sinners. This attitude is also reflected in verse 7 where we read that all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
The work of a tax collector required that they maintain continual contact with Gentiles which meant they the publicans were ceremonially unclean. This makes Christ's mercy more astonishing. An unclean person was not allowed in the temple area, where he could mingle with others. To be unclean, like Zacchaeus, was to be separated from God.
Yet in spite of how the people treated the publicans, in spite of what the people thought of the publicans, in spite of what the publicans had done, in spite of who Zacchaeus was, we see this did not hinder Jesus from seeking out Zacchaeus and showing mercy towards him.
Jesus' seeking love is even more amazing when we consider that Zacchaeus was also very rich. Even Christ had said in Luke 18 how hard it was for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. He had said: “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than a for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Being rich made it extremely difficult for Zacchaeus to enter into the kingdom of God. Yet again we see that Zacchaeus' riches do not hinder the Lord Jesus Christ from seeking him in love and irresistibly calling him. Jesus sought Zacchaeus because Christ knew he was lost.
Zacchaeus being lost represents what the whole human race is by nature. You also are lost by nature. The whole world, by the fall has become a lost world; lost as a traveler when he has missed his way in a wilderness, lost as a sick man when his disease is incurable, lost as a prisoner when he is on death row. Except there is some intervention into their situation they are eternally lost. All are lost except there is a miraculous intervention by their Creator. Zacchaeus too was lost in sin, until the Lord intervened in a merciful way.
Zacchaeus' actions also confirms to us that he was a lost sinner. Before Jesus called him he was living in the ways of sin. He had previously not desired to have any communion with God. He lived for himself, accumulating great wealth. Everything in his life was centered upon self. Zacchaeus was not concerned with the things of God, and not concerned with the people of God. Are you living in the ways of Zacchaeus? Living in the ways of sin? Are you only concerned with accumulating of the riches of this world? If this is so, then you are still living in a lost condition.
Before the Lord sought out Zacchaeus in His seeking love, Zacchaeus was on his way to destruction. If you are content to live in the ways of sin, in the ways of the world, then you too are on your way to destruction. Jesus in His seeking love calls Zacchaeus to be His child in spite of who Zacchaeus was.
This seeking love of Christ is also displayed to us in the drawing of Zacchaeus. In verse three we read that Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus who he was. No doubt Zacchaeus heard of the miracles which Christ had done. Perhaps he heard what compassion Christ had shown towards his fellow publicans. This developed a curiosity to see Jesus. Already this irresistible drawing of Zacchaeus to come and see Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. This alone shows God's amazing love for sinners. Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus.
This determination of Zacchaeus to overcome the hindrances in seeing Christ also shows Jesus' saving power. First we read that Zacchaeus could not see Jesus because of the crowd, for he was very short. Even if he got quite close to Jesus he would not have been able to see Him for even one person would have blocked his view. Zacchaeus did not hesitate, but ran ahead to climb a sycamore tree to be able to see over the crowds.
Can you see Zacchaeus? He has climbed the tree and is perched in its lower branches waiting for Jesus. Doesn’t he look strange there, with his rich bright robes flowing about his feet. Zacchaeus begins to wonder if he will ever be able to see Jesus. He takes so long to come, but then he hears the crowds shuffling feet. Finally he is able to catch his first glimpse of Jesus. Why, he doesn’t look like anything special. What are the people getting so excited about anyway. But then he sees Jesus coming closer and closer until finally He is right under tree! Why if he reached out his hand he could almost touch him! And then Jesus looks up! Zacchaeus’ heart starts to pump faster. And then Christ calls to him: “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”
What a love the Lord Jesus Christ displays to Zacchaeus by calling him, by drawing him, by giving him the desire to see Christ, by overcoming all the hindrances in Zacchaeus’ life. In spite of who he was, what he had done, in spite of his great sins against God and against men, Zacchaeus is told to make haste and come down.
When Jesus comes to the sycamore tree, He gave the outward call to Zacchaeus to become a child of God. There seemed to be so many hindrances to the gospel in the life of Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector and therefore the chief sinner. He was very rich. Yet the Lord was able to overcome all these hindrances in the life of Zacchaeus. What hindrances are in your life stopping you from walking in obedience to God’s commands? Christ is willing and able to forgive all your sins no matter how great they may be. This story of Zacchaeus shows you that there is not a single obstacle which the Lord cannot overcome in saving you. No accumulation of sin can hinder the saving power of Christ! There is nothing that should hinder you from seeking the Lord Jesus Christ. Has not the Lord, in His seeking love, also brought you to this church that you might hear the Word of God? Has not the Lord placed you in a covenant home enabling you to be educated in the Lord's ways? How do you answer these calls of the Lord in your life? Do you not see the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in seeking Zacchaeus? Uninvited, Christ stopped and spoke to Zacchaeus. Uninvited, Christ offered Himself to be a guest in Zacchaeus’ home. Uninvited Christ sent renewing grace in Zacchaeus’ heart. There was nothing in Zacchaeus that made Jesus seek and save him. All the motive and the reason for the mercy displayed to Zacchaeus was in Christ Himself. The mercy given to Zacchaeus is also shown in Jesus saving power.
II. The Mercy of Christ is shown in His saving power
With the outward call of Jesus went an efficacious power from God by which Zacchaeus’ natural will was overruled. Zacchaeus could not explain his desire to meet with the Lord Jesus. It was the work of the Holy Spirit within Zacchaeus’ heart. Jesus desired to abide in Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. Jesus affectionately calls him Zacchaeus. With the Word of Christ came the power of the Holy Spirit that humbled Zacchaeus’ heart. Has Christ’s Word of love and power ever subdued your rebellious and resisting hard heart? Notice Jesus does not say may I, can I, or if I, or would you like me, but He declares I must abide at thy house! The call of Jesus was personal, irresistible, convicting, hastening, but also humbling. Jesus came to the tree with an external call to Zacchaeus but along with this command came the grace through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit to obey it.
Jesus saving power is shown not only in the command of Christ but also by Zacchaeus’ renewal. Zacchaeus’ renewal is demonstrated by how he received Christ joyfully. By the work of the Holy Spirit, he was able to answer Jesus' call to come down from the tree. In verse 6 we read how Zacchaeus joyfully received Christ. He responded in thankful obedience witnessing how the Lord Jesus Christ had indeed sought and saved him.
Not only did Zacchaeus respond by receiving Christ joyfully with his mouth, but also by thanking Him gratefully with his works. He states in verse 8: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold. The law of the Israelites required that when money or goods had been unjustly obtained they were required to give 20% more than they had taken. In other instances double the amount had to be returned to the victim. However we read that Zacchaeus gave not 20% more, not double the amount, but four times the amount. This truly showed that Zacchaeus was deeply convicted by his sin and truly desired to walk in new obedience to his Lord and Master. Notice that these good works did not occur before Zacchaeus was saved but after he was saved. Good works do not earn salvation but are those which proceed from a true faith. A converted person is a changed person, a new creation and therefore his desire is to do good works out of thankfulness for what the Lord has done for him. He is an individual who takes delight in walking in the Lord's ways.
What a transformation has occurred in the Zacchaeus' life. Before he tried to take advantage of the people. He tried to soak them of every last cent which he could, but now he is loving towards those who are poor and in distress. He states that he is going to give half of his possessions to the poor. He no longer indulged in the pleasures of this world. He no longer desired to accumulate more earthly riches now that he has found the pearl of great price. Zacchaeus has been given salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and he knows this is worth more than all the riches of the world. Does not the saving of Zacchaeus display the awesome power of our God? If Zacchaeus can be transformed from that greedy rich tax collector to being charitable to the poor, from being the chief of sinners to a gracious saint, God can seek and save anyone. If Zacchaeus can be delivered anyone can be saved by Jesus saving power. Our text also confirms to us Christ’s great mercy in His wondrous pronouncement.
III. The Mercy of Christ is confirmed in His wondrous pronouncement
Jesus states in verse 9: This day [today] is salvation come to this house. Zacchaeus is granted salvation the very day he believes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation is everlasting life. Up to this day Zacchaeus focused on the things of the world, for the life that would end. After this day Zacchaeus turns and focuses on the life which is eternal. What a wondrous announcement this must have been in the ears of Zacchaeus. His heart no doubt was flowing with an everlasting joy when he heard this announcement.
Jesus not only states that salvation has been granted, but He also announces that Zacchaeus is a true son of Abraham. He is a true son of Abraham not so much by a natural, as by a spiritual birth. He was made partaker of like precious faith with Abraham. Like Abraham he believed on the Lord and it was accounted to him for righteousness. His faith, like Abraham’s worked out in love, love to God and love to his neighbour.
Those listening to this announcement must have been simply astounded that Zacchaeus was called a true son of Abraham. The people of Israel and particularly the Scribes and Pharisees had cut off Zacchaeus and others like him from the covenant community. This pronouncement of the Lord Jesus was a great comfort to Zacchaeus. However, this announcement is also a great warning to the covenant community. It is a warning to all of you belonging to the church but yet have not joined yourselves in true faith to Christ. It is simply amazing, and so sad, how some can concern themselves with all the orthodoxy of religion but yet have not come to terms with the living Christ as a sinner desperately in need of mercy. Christ himself has said: “That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” May this not be true of any of us!
In the wondrous pronouncement which Jesus gives in verse 10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost, Jesus offers His promises to all who consider themselves lost. This is Christ's commentary on the salvation of Zacchaeus. If you have not yet seen yourself as lost by nature then you must cry out as the publican: “God be merciful to me a sinner” The Scribes and Pharisees had condemned the Lord's actions but Christ illustrates that to seek and save the lost is His very purpose for coming to this earth. What a wondrous pronouncement this is to us if we have experienced that we are one of the lost by nature. Have you seen this in your life? If you know you are lost without Christ , then what reason there is to take great hope in our text. Our text tells us that Jesus came to seek and to save those such as you are. There is none that should despair after reading our text, for here we have the chief of sinners saved by grace. The announcement of Christ in verse 10 is very general. It includes people of each sex, of every race, nationality, age group, vocation, degree of education, and rank.
Conclusion
Christ in His yearning love seeks and saves sinners, great sinners, small sinners, discouraged sinners, loveless sinners, hated sinners. In our text we see Jesus having great mercy upon the great sinner, Zacchaeus. In a few days Jesus would give up His very life to ensure the salvation of sinners who are lost by nature. He would die for all those who join themselves to Christ by a true and living faith. The story of Zacchaeus gives a great comfort to those who find themselves in need of a Saviour. What hope there is with Christ! All of us have been diagnosed with an illness. An illness which will lead to our destruction unless we have turned to Christ and sought mercy with Him. Does not Jesus heart of love draw you to Him? Does not Jesus saving power encourage you to flee to Him? Does not Jesus wondrous pronouncement give you hope? If you have not fled to Christ as a lost sinner then I would urge you yet this day to trust Him. Then the mercy which God has given to Zacchaeus He will also give to you.
