Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Introduction

1.      Luke tells us the story of Zacchaeus, the Jew who had sold out to the Romans

2.      Perhaps he had given up on God, or perhaps it was just the allurement of money that had led to his decision

3.      God sent Jesus at just the right time for Zacchaeus  

Discussion

1.      He went to see Jesus

a.       The excitement of going to see someone famous “in person” – Terre Haute to see Truman, Philadelphia to see Reagan  

b.      Jesus always drew a crowd  

c.       Zacchaeus’s reasons for wanting to see Jesus are not stated  

d.      He went out of his way to achieve his goal  

e.       His attempt to see Jesus resulted in Jesus seeing him  

2.      He made a commitment

a.       He committed himself and he committed his money  

b.      Enjoyment of life is impossible without commitments  

c.       Zacchaeus first committed himself only to a view of Jesus  

d.      That commitment resulted in a deeper commitment to change his life  

e.       Acts 2:37; Acts 22:10; Luke 18:18  

3.      He received salvation – “Today salvation has come to this house”

a.       This salvation is different from that which most people are now seeking

                                                            i.      Salvation from financial difficulty (the popularity of the lottery)

                                                          ii.      Salvation from personal conflicts (divorce, change of jobs)

                                                        iii.      Salvation from physical difficulties (doctors, quacks, “cures”)  

b.       This is the salvation of which Jesus spoke in Luke 12:4-5  

c.       This is the salvation of which John wrote in Revelation  

d.      This is the purpose for which Jesus came into the world – John 3:16  

Conclusion

1.       What can we learn from the story of Zacchaeus?

a.       We can learn the importance of “seeing” Jesus

b.      We can the learn the importance of making a commitment

c.       We can learn the joy that comes from that commitment

2.      You can make a commitment to Jesus today