TITLE: Zacchaeus

TEXT: Luke 19:1-10 - ¹Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ²Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” ⁸Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” ⁹And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

PROPOSITION: Short of stature is not why he is mentioned in the Bible.

QUESTION: What?

KEY WORD: Lessons

Introduction:

1. Children sing about the “wee little man was he”

2. About 1 week before the death of Jesus – spent much time with sinners

3. But this was – Going TOO far for many, including the apostles

The Story – Zacchaeus

1. Hebrew name – likely a Jew

2. Occupation – Publican – tax collector for the Romans

3. Chief publican – had others working under him

4. Location – Jericho – rich, fertile land, fruits (dates, bananas, oranges)

   1. It was a major entry point across the Jordan River at top of Dead Sea

   2. Called “City of Palms” - also known for Rose Gardens

   3. One of the greatest taxation centers in Palestine

5. Wealthy – but despised by fellow Jews

   1. They despised paying taxes to the Romans

   2. Many tax collectors would take bribes under the table

   3. Jews considered them “unclean”

6. By the way, he was also – Short

Curiosity

1. He wanted to see who Jesus was (3)

2. It was strong and with some impulse

3. Takes a unique approach to the problem

Jesus' Reaction

1. Jesus sees this man in the Sycamore tree

2. Jesus invites himself home with this man

3. Jesus tells him to hurry - “make haste”

4. Jesus was on a mission with no time to waste

Reaction to the Invitation

1. He made haste – He came down in a hurry.

2. He was joyful – glad to receive Jesus

3. Jesus gave him more than he anticipated

Murmuring among the Followers

1. There is a gasp, a murmuring, grumbling

2. We don't want to do the work – we just want to tell others how to do it.

3. He is now the guest of a SINNER!

4. Not just your ordinary, run of the mill, sinner – chief publican sinner

Repentance

1. If I wronged any man -

   1. A significant statement for a publican

   2. Willing to repay – 4 fold – four times what was taken wrongly

2. Giving away half his possessions to the poor

Blessing of Jesus

1. Salvation has come to this house

2. He is called a “son of Abraham”

3. He has been “restored” - back to a place of faithful service

Lessons to Learn

1. No one is too sinful, too short, too_____ to come to Jesus

2. Some we consider unlikely – are most likely

3. Repentance involves:

   1. Stopping the sin

   2. Restoration – repayment – repair – correction of the wrong

4. If you want to do what is right – you can overcome all obstacles