Sermon Central
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Guest Of A Sinner Series
Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 18, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: If there was ever a mission statement in the Bible, Jesus spoke the words of direction and intention in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
LOST AND FOUND
GUEST OF A SINNER
Introduction
If there was ever a mission statement in the Bible, Jesus spoke the words of direction and intention in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
This statement of Jesus identifies his trek through life. In our series called LOST AND FOUND, we recognize that
Jesus is the Seeker who has a heart to find and rescue. We see this in motion as he chooses to become the guest
of a sinner in our text. Read Luke 19:1-7.
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 because he was short he could not see over 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 the lost.”
This is Jesus’ last personal encounter before his arrival in Jerusalem and the events leading to his death.
Jesus has come into Jericho. Josephus describes: “the most fruitful country of Judea, … palm trees … balsam trees … honey … cypress trees … he who should pronounce this place to be divine would not be mistaken.”
Swindoll: “Jericho’s temperate climate made it an ideal retreat for royals, who built enormous palaces, complete with swimming pools, gardens, bathhouses… on one of the busiest trade routes in the ancient world. Wherever you find vast amounts of wealth and large numbers of politicians you inevitably find a funnel for taxes.”
In this story we observe Jesus the one who seeks and saves the lost in four ways.
1. JESUS SEES (What Did Jesus Really See?)
He did not see a good man. “As chief tax collector Zacchaeus was head of a tax-farming corporation with collectors who extorted the people, then paid him before he paid the Romans. He was the kingpin of the Jericho tax cartel and had the scruples of a modern day crack dealer.” (Hughes) No one would have thought of Z as a good man.
He did not see a happy man. Zacchaeus was hated by his community. "One can only imagine the reaction of neighbours, and even of friends and relatives, as Zacchaeus’s house became more lavishly decorated, as more slaves ran about at his bidding, as his clothes became finer and his food richer. Everyone knew that this was their money and that he had no right to it; everyone knew that there was nothing they could do about it.” - Tom Wright
No doubt his wealth and lifestyle was unsatisfying, nothing lasted, always there is some emptiness. He was a traitor to his own people, collecting funds for an occupying force, the Roman Government.
Jesus saw what he was always looking for - he came to seek and save the lost! Jesus knew every truth about Zacchaeus. Jesus sees you - real you - the you that only you know.
Romans 5:8 ...While we were still sinners Christ died for us.
2. JESUS CALLS
Jesus calls out to Zacchaeus! Zacchaeus has climbed a tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus. We might wonder why? Maybe those taller than him were purposefully blocking his way? Maybe he had heard how Jesus took Levi (Matthew) into his group of disciples. Or had heard talk of Jesus spending time with sinners. Maybe he was just desperate.
Calls out to us today through the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Called through the Gospel “…that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I am confident that Jesus calls out to every one of us and no matter what mistakes or troubles we have encountered, He wants us to come to him.
After instructing new believers to repent and be baptized, Peter said “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39)
Have you heard his call? Are you listening? Are you trying to keep Him far away or do you want to receive from Him what only he can give?
