Why A Crooked Jew Would Climb A Tree

I. Hope - Zacchaeus’ desire (vs.1-4)

- Illustration of Flagstaff Flooding # 1

- It has been said “Hope means hoping when things are hopeless”.

- Hope is merely platitude when there is no need for hope

- It is only when things are truly hopeless that hope becomes a strength.

- Or it is no virtue at all

- Hope had become a real virtue in the lives of the Jews

- Zaachaeus climbed that tree to get a view of what he had hope in

II. Love - Zacchaeus’ plight (vs. 5-7)

- Illustration about love # 2

- “looking for love in all the wrong places”

- Zaachaeus was without love, a man without a country

- John 21:15-17

- Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- Love brought Zaachaeus down out of that tree

- He had none from anyone around him

- He wanted it from Jesus and got it

- Could be why Jesus picked him out of the crowd

III. Restoration - Zacchaeus’ need (vs. 8-10)

- Illustration about failures # 3

- A while back I preached on “Preparation Precedes a Blessing”

- This was no different here

- In order to be seen of Jesus Zaachaeus first had to climb that tree

- 1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

- In order for Zaachaeus to experience the love of God Zaachaeus had to climb down out of that tree

- Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- In order for Zaachaeus to receive restoration Zaachaeus had to first repent

- Act_3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Conclusion: illustration of George Shaw # 4

- Zaachaeus sought Christ

- Zaachaeus repented from sin

- Zaachaeus loved Christ

- Jesus responded by publically claiming salvation came to his house

- Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

- This day for Zaachaeus was a day of salvation

- This day for Zaachaeus was a day off restoration

- This day for Zaachaeus was a day of victory

- Illustration # 5