Sermon Central
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Zacchaeus Seeks Jesus
Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 25, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Zacchaeus had a desire to know Jesus as a friend, as his savior, and as his the Lord.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. [4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
1. Zacchaeus
• Lived in Jericho
• Chief tax collector
• Chief among the publicans
• A rich man
• Short in stature
• Not liked by the common people
• Was Jewish
[3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. [4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
2. Zacchaeus and his spiritual condition
• Sought to see Jesus
• Wanted to know him
• Took action to see Jesus
• The world was restricting him from seeing Jesus.
3. God prepares a way for us to see Jesus.
• God prepared a tree
• Not just any tree, a sycamore tree (easy to climb)
• The sycamore tree was close to the road
• The sycamore tree was in the path of Jesus
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
4. God knows our hearts and hears our inter cries.
• Zacchaeus had already sought out Jesus in his heart
• Jesus heard Zacchaeus heart call and stopped by the sycamore tree.
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Zacchaeus had a desire to know Jesus as a friend, as his savior, and as his the Lord.
Three Steps to Jesus
1. A Desire to know Jesus
• Jesus already knew Zacchaeus was seeking to know him, because Jesus called him out by name.
2. A Desire to know the Savior
• Jesus already knew Zacchaeus wanting to know him, because Jesus called him down.
3. A Desire to know him as Lord
• Jesus already knew Zacchaeus desired to have him as Lord, because Jesus went into his house
