A SHORT STORY ABOUT GROWING TALL
LUKE 19:1-10
INTRODUCTION… snopes.com/info/top25uls.asp & snopes.com/daily/
Last week John encouraged us to not give into temptation and spread rumors and talk about things before we know the facts. This is definitely true in the church; it is also true with email and telling stories. John mentioned a website called Snopes.com. It is a website dedicated to rooting out false claims and providing truth. I perused that website again this week, just out of curiosity, and was absolutely shocked with a couple of the things I found.
I looked in the “Odd News” section of the site. I learned that it is true that a mother beat up a neighborhood 10-year-old girl in San Antonio because she would not share her ice cream with her 4-year-old. I was also shocked to learn that a Nebraska man was arrested for assaulting his wife with a sandwich. I also found out that a woman really did fall off a cliff in Alaska while texting.
I am looking at some of these reports of true things that are happening and the thought occurred to me that some people need to grow up. Sometimes we make mistakes and say something wrong or have a wrong belief, but once we are faced with the error of our ways, we should learn and then change how we live. I hope the ice cream boxer and sandwich man and the Alaskan cliff jumper change their ways.
Today we will take a look at a short story of a man who came face-to-face with Jesus and he had a choice to make. To be honest, in the middle of Luke 18 we saw someone else, a rich young ruler, who came face-to-face with Jesus, was faced with a choice, and opted to keep his old way of life. That rich young ruler had much going for him, but in the end he chose a path away from Jesus Christ. Today, we are going to meet someone named Zacchaeus who had the same issues facing him, but made a different decision when meeting Jesus Christ… and to be honest, it is a little shocking. Zacchaeus could stay the way he was or he could make some changes in his life. He made the decision to grow up. He made the decision to grow tall and stretch himself to become more like Jesus Christ. Let’s read this morning.
I. SITUATION: Zacchaeus under Stress
As we read the first six verses of the passage this morning, I would like you to notice most specifically the actions of Zacchaeus. We find a man under stress… a man with issues in his life.
READ LUKE 19:1-6
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 being a short man he could not, because of 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.
Jesus was becoming more and more well known. People from all over had heard about this phenomenal teacher who speaks in parables (Luke 14-16), who heals lepers (Luke 17), and even gives sight to the blind (Luke 18). We even read the story a few weeks ago about a rich young ruler coming to Jesus inquiring about eternal life (Luke 18). That same man who talked to rulers and healed the sick was now passing through the town of Jericho. As evidence for Jesus’ increasing popularity and the fame for His miracles and teaching, verse 3 describes for us that a crowd had gathered around Jesus and He was difficult to see.
Among the people who are trying to get a glimpse of Jesus was Zacchaeus who is given the title of “chief tax collector.” That is a title only found here in Luke 19 and it applies only to Zacchaeus. Apparently Jericho was a tax collecting hub for the Romans and it was Zacchaeus who was in charge. That means that Zacchaeus had a privileged job among the Romans and was probably despised by the Jews even more than regular tax collectors. His life was a wealthy and privileged one, but also one where his neighbors and fellow citizens of Jericho couldn’t stand him. They hated him… they considered him a traitor and among the worst kind of sinner. That is interesting considering the rich young ruler had been to see Jesus and everyone seemed to like him.
We also find that the first 6 verses of this passage describe for us a stressful situation for Zacchaeus. He
wanted to see Jesus and no one would let the tax collector in. No one would move so he could see. Jesus was moving through the city and Zacchaeus could not get a look. His money could not buy him a better spot in the crowd to see Jesus. His money could not buy him an audience with Jesus. His privileged position among the Romans did not get him the front row seat he wanted. We can guess about a lot of things when it comes to Zacchaeus, but we know three things for sure (and remember them for later):
#1 Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector
#2 Zacchaeus was shorter than most
#3 Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus
Zacchaeus came up with a wonderful plan to skirt the crowds and get himself in a position to see Jesus. He was willing to risk overcoming obstacles to see Jesus. He, like any good planner, climbed a tree ahead of the crowds so as Jesus passed, he would be in a perfect spot to see all that was going on.
I imagine him running. Was he fast enough? Could he get ahead of the crowd?
I imagine him climbing. Could he get high enough to see? Would the tree hold? Would anyone see him?
I imagine him straining to hear what was being said. What was being asked? What was the Teacher saying?
I also imagine the shock and awe when Jesus came by, looked up in the tree, called him by name, and told him that He would be going to his house. Zacchaeus was in shock that the Teacher had noticed him. The crowds were amazed and perhaps a little indignant that Jesus had even given this chief tax collector the time of day. One of the questions I have always had… how did Jesus know his name? The Scripture very clearly states Jesus called him by name out of the tree. There are two ways Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was. First, Jesus was and is God. Never forget that. Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was because it was He who formed him in his mother’s womb. Second, don’t forget about Matthew… who had been a tax collector… who perhaps had mentioned Zacchaeus to Jesus. Either way… it would have been a sight to see… Jesus calling this wee little man by name out of the tree!
Verse 6 tells us Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus gladly. The KJV and ESV tell us that he “received him joyfully.” The MSG paraphrases it for us by saying, “Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him.” He was full of joy and delighted at the prospect of having Jesus in his home. Note the thrill of Zacchaeus who had wanted to see Jesus so desperately. To be honest, that happens often, joy and gladness and rejoicing when someone finally finds Jesus (Matthew 13:20).
We see as we begin looking at this passage that Zacchaeus was a man under stress looking to see Jesus. I wonder if in our own lives, if we see people under stress looking for Jesus. Perhaps we see people whose marriages are falling apart and they are looking to Jesus to see what He will say? Maybe there are people addicted to some substance or in the throws of a habit they just can’t break and they are running ahead to see if Jesus can help. Possibly we encounter people who are out of work and under bills and are looking to Jesus for some hope. I think we see people like Zacchaeus all around us.
We also see as we begin looking at this passage that there is a clear division in this passage in several areas. There is a division between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”
II. RESOURCES: Haves and the Have-Nots
Because it is only six verses, I would like to read them again, but as we read them this time focus less on the actions that take place and the person of Zacchaeus, but rather notice more about the people presented and what is available to them and their characteristics… and perhaps a little more about the rich young ruler who saw Jesus in Luke 18.
READ LUKE 19:1-6
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 being a short man he could not, because of 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.
Notice if you will that there are clear divisions in the passage between the haves and the have-nots. The most obvious division we see is the wealth division. Zacchaeus may have been a “wee little man,” but his bank accounts were not “wee” by any stretch of the imagination. The rich young ruler in Luke 18 was the same… he had wealth and position. Zacchaeus had wealth and the crowds following Jesus did not. In fact, it was the crowds that followed Jesus that were the ones squeezed by Zacchaeus for the Roman occupation.
We also find a division among those who had access to Jesus. Jesus was journeying through Jericho in public and the crowds of people were following Him. We know that the crowds could be overwhelming. In fact in Luke 5, there was a man paralyzed who could not reach Jesus. His friends lowered him through the roof just to see Jesus (Luke 5:17-20). Children often wanted to see Jesus and even in Luke 18 (the previous chapter), Jesus had to command the disciples to let the children come (Luke 18:16). So there were people who wanted to see Jesus and just could not because of the crowds. Zacchaeus was one of those who wanted to see Jesus, but could not. Others had access to Jesus, Zacchaeus did not.
As I think about myself, you, and our church in terms of the haves and the have-nots I think there is one division that marks us in this place different from other people in the non-Christian world. It is best described by Peter in John 6:66-69. This passage tells us, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." You see, Peter knew Jesus and believed that it was Jesus who had the way for eternal life. Peter knew the Truth. We, as the people of God, have the Truth. We have access to the message that explains all about eternal life. Not everyone knows that message or knows the Truth.
That is why Jesus commissions Christians to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). It is why He told His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus sent out His disciples as His representatives because they had the message and others did not. Jesus’ command to us is to share that same Gospel message because we know the Truth and others do not. It is the reason our Missions Theme for the foreseeable future is “Around the Word and Across the Street.” We are to go around the world and across the street and share what we have with those who haven’t got it.
The short story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 does not end with verses 1-6, but has a few more verses to offer us. The story continues as Zacchaeus climbs down the tree with utter gladness and takes Jesus into his home. Verse 7 hits us between the eyes as we read.
III. PERCEPTION: It’s all about Verse 7, isn’t it?
READ LUKE 19:7
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
And so in the middle of this short story about Zacchaeus the chief tax collector and Jesus the Messiah in Jericho, we have the judgmental attitudes of the crowds coming to light. We already know based on his job that the people of Jericho did not like him. This actually happened to Jesus all the time. Matthew 9:9-11 records for us a similar situation when He called Matthew to be His disciple, “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Luke 15:1-2 tells us, “Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." John 4:9 shares with us that even people who Jesus talked to were often shocked He would speak with them, “The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)”
Verse 7 is a verse all about perception, expectations, pre-conceived notions, and judging worthiness.
Here we see a small contrast between the rich young ruler in Luke 18 and Zacchaeus. The rich young ruler was wealthy, had social position, a good religious background, was admired by the people, and was right with God morally. As Jesus toured through Jericho the people expected that He would teach the people about the Scriptures and give them nuggets of knowledge through a parable. They thought perhaps they would see a healing that they could tell their neighbors and children about for weeks to come. Jesus healed a blind man and lepers… who was next? Maybe someone who could not speak or could not hear? The crowd thought Jesus would end up in the synagogue or maybe spend the day in the home of a prominent Pharisee or spend the day with someone like the rich young ruler from Luke 18.. And yet, all of those expectations and pre-conceived notions came crashing down the moment Jesus looked up in the tree and invited Himself to the home of Zacchaeus… the dreaded tax collector. Zacchaeus! Not Zacchaeus! He’s a traitor. He’s a sinner. He makes his living by cheating people. He has money. He has nice clothes and gets all of it by corrupt means.
You might be asking yourself what any of this has to with us. I think sometimes we do the same thing that the crowd did in verse 7… don’t we? You see we often have ideas about what the Christian life is like and who is accepted in and who should be shut out. We have expectations about what someone should look like when they walk through the doors of the church. Our pre-conceived notions about who Jesus would accept and who He would reject cloud our minds when we meet people or when we think about whom we should share our faith with. Verse 7 is a verse all about judging worthiness and there is always the temptation to judge the worth of a person by our standards.
Basically, we think people like the rich young ruler should be accepted and people like Zacchaeus should be left out. The odd thing was the rich young ruler could not accept what Jesus was teaching and Zacchaeus did. Jesus changes things for those who are open to Him.
* Jesus changes the perception of who can come to Him because it is ANYONE who is lost and trapped by their sin no matter what kind or shade of sin it happens to be.
* Jesus shatters the expectations we have about who should be in church and what a person looks like as they seek after God and ask questions.
* Jesus deflates our pre-conceived notions about who will be in Heaven and who will not.
* Jesus condemns us for our judging attitudes about worthiness.
The crowd muttered to one another that Jesus had singled out Zacchaeus and was going to that awful man’s house. How could He? Why would He? I think the answer to all of the questions that people had rests in the fact that they did not have a correct view of who Jesus was and why He had come. The rest of this short story informs us about what the crowds should have thought and what their perspective should have been. Let’s read the conclusion of this short story about Jesus and Zacchaeus.
IV. CRISIS: Jesus and Zacchaeus
READ LUKE 19:8-10
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 what was lost."
Do you remember the three things that we knew for sure about Zacchaeus? I mentioned them at the beginning of our time together this morning.
#1 Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector
#2 Zacchaeus was shorter than most
#3 Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus
#3 is all that mattered to Jesus. Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house because Jesus found in Zacchaeus a man willing to overcome obstacles. He was willing to risk the hatred of the crowd to get a look at the Messiah. Zacchaeus was more than willing to give Jesus full access to His home.
But to be honest, it was not the overcoming of obstacles or the risks with the crowd or his willingness to have Jesus in his home that really drew the attention of the Savior. What drew Jesus’ attention was Zacchaeus’ willingness to change his heart and his willingness to make not a one-time decision, but a decision to change his entire lifestyle. Zacchaeus was willing to make restitution for his past mistakes and change his behavior. That’s called repentance! Jesus even taught in Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Zacchaeus was willing to do that! You see Zacchaeus had a heart that was willing to follow the message of the Messiah and he put steps in place to change his life so that it reflected his newfound faith in Jesus. Jesus even says in verse 9 that “salvation” came to the house! He even called Zacchaeus “son of Abraham” making him equal to everyone else outside who was stirring in their judgmental attitudes.
APPLICATION
This morning we have seen a situation where a stressed sinner put forth quite an effort to see Jesus and was successful in finding Him. There was definitely division among the crowds which led to their assumption that Zacchaeus was not good enough to have Jesus at his home because he was nothing like the rich young ruler. And yet, in the midst of all of this, Jesus proclaims that because of the change of heart with Zacchaeus, that salvation had come to him that day.
This short story is all about growing tall… growing up. There are two areas where we can grow up this morning that I think Luke 19 points out to us.
The first area is for those of us who read the story of Zacchaeus and identify with him. Perhaps you came to church today to get a look at what church or God or Jesus was all about. Maybe you have been to other churches or maybe this is your first time ever in a church. Perhaps you have been reluctantly coming to church because someone made you or you want them to stop bugging you. Maybe you, like Zacchaeus, don’t feel worthy because of the life you have lived. You know what, you are right. You aren’t good enough for Jesus. None of us are. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All of us have sinned and therefore we are not worthy to have Jesus point up at us and come to our house and proclaim that salvation has come to us. The other side of that is that is does not matter what you have done or what excuses you have given in the past… Jesus will forgive. Jesus died for you.
It’s time to grow up a little and think about your eternal soul. Jesus already knows you and knows your heart. If you have never accepted Him as Lord and Savior, He waits. He is waiting to see if you will put forth the effort to climb the tree to get a look at Him. For you, that means coming down front and confessing Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
Grow tall and stop giving excuses.
Grow tall and stop living your life destructively and give it over to God.
Grow tall and make a lifestyle change to become a Christian.
The second area is for those of us who read the story of Zacchaeus and identify not with Zacchaeus, but rather with the crowds of people who are indignant that Jesus would love someone like Zacchaeus. It’s time for us to grow up as well.
Grow up and realize it doesn’t matter what a person looks like, how they are dressed, how many tattoos they have, or where they have pierced their bodies when they come to church.
Grow up and realize that you don’t know with whom the Holy Spirit has been working a great work in their heart and whether or not they are ready to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Grow up and realize that everyone makes mistakes and that does not preclude them from the Grace of God offered freely through Jesus Christ.
Grow up and know that nobody is perfect and the church was made for the imperfect.
CONCLUSION IN PRAYER
