ZACCHAEUS—A SINNER IN A SYCAMORE
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Intro: I could ask almost any child present today to tell me the story of Zacchaeus and receive a pretty detailed account. Perhaps this story is so popular with children because it involves one of their favorite activities—climbing trees. Or maybe kids like this story because they find it so unusual for a grownup to climb a tree. But whatever the reason, this story is well known and loved by children.
In thinking upon the biblical account of Zacchaeus, I was reminded of the simplicity of the story and how it excited me as a child. But as I looked deeper, I noticed some profound parallels with divine truth that may be overlooked, due to the story’s familiarity and simplicity.
This Bible story reveals not only a sinner who found himself literally up a tree, but also the deep love and concern of the Savior who knew how to deal with the sin that had put him there. We see in this account the ability of Jesus, not only to reach down to the down and out, but also to reach up to the up and out. Jesus can save a person without regard to their station in life.
Let’s look closely at this familiar story today and dig out some of the treasures found here.
Theme: The story of Zacchaeus illustrates:
I. THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
A. His Social Status Could Have Been A Problem.
1. He was a man of high position.
Luke 19:1 “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2a And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans…”
NOTE: [1] He was the “chief among the publicans.” That basically means he was what we might refer to as “Commissioner of Taxes.”1 This phrase also indicates that he had other collectors working under his supervision.
[2] Concerning the desire for status in life, someone has noted the following:
The trouble is that too many people
Are spending money
They haven’t yet earned
For things they don’t need
To impress people they don’t like.2
2. He was a man of many possessions.
Luke 19:2b “…and he was rich.”
NOTE: [1] This is not meant to imply that rich people cannot be saved, but rather that often riches can be a source of hindrance to salvation. Jesus himself alluded to this truth when He said, “…How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24)!
[2] Patrick Henry, the man who said, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” once spoke concerning true riches. He said the following:
I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them a single shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed.3
B. His Short Stature Could Have Been A Problem.
Luke 19:3 “And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”
NOTE: [1] Zacchaeus’ physical shortness is representative of his inability and insufficiency in approaching a holy God. Please don’t miss the Holy Spirit’s point in mentioning this detail. The only way Zacchaeus was able to meet Jesus was by going to the sycamore tree. Folks, the tree is still the only place the lost sinner can meet the Savior. By faith trusting Christ’s finished work on the cross is the only means of salvation from one’s sins.
I Pet. 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
[2] Luke 19:7 refers to Zacchaeus as, “…a man that is a sinner.” You see that was the real problem. It was not his shortness of stature that prevented him from being God’s child, but his shortness of spirit. Anyone who has not turned from their sins and received Christ into their heart as Lord and Master is in the same condition as Zacchaeus. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
[3] There is good news today for those who find themselves spiritually short.
Isa. 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
II. THE PRECARIOUS PLACE OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
A. Zacchaeus Climbed A Tree To See The Savior.
1. Zacchaeus wanted to get acquainted with Jesus.
Luke 19:4 “And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.”
NOTE: Do you know the difference between an acquaintance and a true friend? One man defined an acquaintance as, “A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.”4 It takes more than a casual acquaintance with Jesus to get to Heaven. One must permit Christ to come and abide with him.
2. Jesus wanted to abide with Zacchaeus.
Luke 19:5 “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”
NOTE: [1] One must come to know Christ experientially. It’s not enough to believe that Jesus lived historically. You must turn from your sins and receive Him into your heart.
[2] Notice that Jesus was already aware of Zacchaeus’ presence. Jesus always knows right where the sinner is. He walked right up to the very tree where he was perched and spoke to him. However, Jesus was not interested in mere acquaintance, but in abiding. Jesus wanted to relate to Zacchaeus on a personal level.
John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
B. Jesus Was To Hang On A Tree To Save The Sinner.
1. Christ’s death on Calvary’s tree was absolutely necessary to secure man’s salvation.
John 3:14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
2. Ironically, Jesus was on His way to Calvary when He stopped at the sycamore.
Luke 18:31 “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”
III. THE POSITIVE PROOF OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
A. The Actions Of Zacchaeus Proved He Had Been Saved.
Luke 19:8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
NOTE: [1] Giving was a new experience for Zacchaeus. He was used to taking, not giving. Now he promises to give half of his possessions away to the poor.
[2] The word “if” should be translated “‘since’…The if implies an actuality, not a hypothetical case.”5 Zacchaeus was admitting that he had extorted money.
[3] Zacchaeus offers to repay fourfold those from whom he had extorted money. According to Lev. 6:5 and Num. 5:7, only restoration of the principal, with twenty percent interest was required. Zacchaeus imposed upon himself the penalty for robbery (Ex. 22:1).
B. The Announcement Of Jesus Proved He Had Been Saved.
Luke 19:9 “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
NOTE: The mention here of Zacchaeus being a “son of Abraham” is a reference to the faith of Abraham, which God placed to his account for righteousness. Galatians 3:7 brings this out when it says, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
Theme: The story of Zacchaeus illustrates:
I. THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
II. THE PRECARIOUS PLACE OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
III. THE POSITIVE PROOF OF HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR
End Notes:
1. Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, editors, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 1059.
2. Traditional.
3. Patrick Henry.
4. Ambrose Bierce.
5. Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, editors, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 1060.
