Three Cheers for the Underdog
Luke 19:1-10
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a ’sinner.’"
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
I LIKE SPORTS. I like to participate in them and I like being a spectator. You may have already observed that I make use of illustrations from the world of sports. There are basically two kinds of fans: (1) those who love a winner; (2) those who are always for the underdog.
I fit into the second category. I’ll always root for the underdog. That’s why I’m a Cubs fan!
The word “underdog” originated through a popular 19th century song by David Barker called, The Underdog In the Fight.
I know the world, that the great big world
Will never a moment stop
To see which dog may be in the fault,
But will shout for the dog on top.
But for me, I shall never pause
To ask which dog may be in the right,
For my heart will beat, while it beats at all,
For the underdog in the fight!
If we would take time to trace through the Bible on this subject, we would find that the Lord is ALWAYS on the side of the underdog!
1. He set His love upon ISRAEL. Deut.7:6,7: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.”
2. DAVID was an underdog.
3. GIDEON was an underdog.
4. ELIJAH was an underdog.
5. DANIEL was an underdog.
6. WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY was an underdog.
7. THE DISCIPLES were underdogs.
Illus.: “$25 For A Crippled Puppy”
A farmer was sitting on the front porch one summer evening when a newspaper boy came to deliver his paper. The boy noticed a sign on the porch which read, “Puppies For Sale.” He got off his bike and said to the farmer, “How much do you want for the pups, mister?” “$25, son.” The boy’s face dropped. “Well, sir, could I at least see them anyway?” The farmer whistled and in a moment the mother dog came bounding around the corner of the house tagged by 4 cute puppies, wagging their tails and yipping happily. At last, another puppy came straggling around the house, dragging one leg behind. “What’s the matter with that puppy, mister?” the boy asked the farmer. “Well son, that puppy is crippled. We took her to the vet and he took an x-ray. The pup doesn’t have a hip joint and that leg will never be right.” To the amazement of the farmer, the boy dropped his bike, reached for his collection bag, and took out a fifty-cent piece. “Please mister, I want to buy that pup. I’ll pay you 50 cents each week until that $25 is paid. Honest I will, mister.” The farmer said, “But son, you don’t seem to understand. That pup will never be able to run or jump. That pup is going to be a cripple forever. Why in the world would you want such a useless pup as that?” The boy reached down a pulled up his pant leg, revealing a brace, holding a poor, twisted leg. “Mister,” the boy said, “that pup is going to need someone who understands him to help him in life!”
There’s no great example of an underdog than the sinner, who has been crippled in his soul. He’s been cut off from God—unable to help himself. Jesus is for the sinner. That’s why He came. He understands our condition. By His death and resurrection we have help in this life and hope for the life to come.
Illus.: “Scarred Hands” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, pp.
119-120)
A small orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the burning house. The boy’s cries for help were heard above the crackling of the blaze. No one seemed to know what to do, for the front of the house was a mass of flames.
Suddenly a stranger rushed from the crowd and circled to the back where he spotted an iron pipe that reached an upstairs window. He disappeared for a minute, then reappeared with the boy in his arms. Amid the cheers of the crowd, he climbed down the hot pipe as the boy hung around his neck.
Weeks later a public hearing was held in the town hall to determine in whose custody the boy would be placed. Each person wanting the boy was allowed to speak briefly. The first man said, "I have a big farm. Everybody needs the out-of-doors." The second man told of the advantages he could provide. "I’m a teacher. I have a large library. He would get a good education." Others spoke. Finally the richest man in the community said, "I’m wealthy. I could give the boy everything mentioned tonight: farm, education, and more, including money and travel. I’d like him in my home."
The chairman asked, "Anyone else like to say a word?" From the backseat rose a stranger who had slipped in unnoticed. As he walked toward the front, deep suffering showed on his face. Reaching the front of the room, he stood directly in front of the little boy. Slowly the stranger removed his hands from his pockets. A gasp went up from the crowd. The little boy, whose eyes had been focused on the floor until now, looked up. The man’s hands were terribly scarred. Suddenly the boy emitted a cry of recognition. Here was the man who had saved his life. His hands were scarred from climbing up and down the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw himself around the stranger’s neck and held on for life. The farmer rose and left. The teacher, too. Then the rich man. Everyone departed, leaving the boy and his rescuer who had won him without a word. Those marred hands spoke more effectively than any words.
I can’t think of a greater illustration of God’s compassion than that found in our scripture passage (Luke 19:1-10). It’s the story of ZACCHAEUS—a man who stood against many odds.
HIS REPUTATION
Tax collector (vs.2)
Sinner (vs.7)
HIS RICHES (vs.2)
Despised because of the way he acquired his wealth
Lonely, because he had no friends
HIS NAME (vs.1)
Zacchaeus means “the righteous one.” His life was a denial of that and the Jews knew it and so did he.
HIS SHORTNESS (vs.3-6)
He swallowed his pride—climbed a tree.
HIS EMBARRASSMENT
Everyone’s attention was focused on him; he could have refused.
PUBLIC CRITICISM (vs.4,7)
These all served to remind him of his underdog status. But the story doesn’t end there, because Jesus is for the underdog. See what happens:
Zacchaeus was singled out by Jesus (personal contact)
He was addressed by his name!
He realized he was wanted by Jesus
He understood that Jesus was not embarrassed to be his friend
He was evidently tired of his sin (see verse 8)
He knew that Jesus loved him (see verses 9 and 10)
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
1. We need to be alert to signs of spiritual interest while going about our normal routines. They may appear at any time and anywhere—even at the top of a tree!
2. There are many ways by which individuals can be separated out from the crowd for personal attention. But one of the best ways is to get your feet under their table!
3. People must be made to feel wanted and loved in our presence. When this acceptance is sensed, whatever the means, they will want to be around us.
4. A public appeal for one to step out and identify with Christ can be an encouragement to faith.
CHRISTIANS ARE ALWAYS FOR THE UNDERDOG! Or at least they should be! We are Christ’s ambassadors—His body—His hands reaching out, His voice, encouraging and offering hope—His feet, going wherever the need is.
THREE CHEERS FOR THE UNDERDOG!
