L U  K  E   19v 1-10

The Gospel message on Sunday next, is the story of Jesus and Zaccheus.  Jesus is  passing through Jericho, in which city there lived Zaccheus, a prominent tax collector.

The city was a wealthy place, different from that which is mentioned in the Old Testament. Herod the Great had obtained the city from Caesar Augustine and made a viaduct, a fortress and a monumental palace.  It had the approach to Jerusalem, a river crossing, and was called the City of Palms.

The tax collectors collected money from people and became very rich, Zaccheus  being at the top of the collectors, was the most hated man of the area. He was very rich, but not happy.  Inevitably, he had no friends and was lonely, for he had made himself an outcast. He had heard that Jesus was friends with some tax collectors and sinners, and so was determined to find Jesus. and no  one would stop him. 

Despised and hated, he wanted the love of God. He knew people might attack him, so was on his own mission.  He was a small man capable of climbing a tree, which  was seen to be like the English oak tree. He then made  a decision, that he would give half of the money fraudulently obtained from people, and with the other half he would give to people he had improperly taken money, especially on family  he deprived of food; the story ends with great words.

‘The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost’,  In the New Testament, it does not mean doomed, it means in the wrong place.  A family is lost when it goes out of its  own place into a wrong place,  A person is lost when they wander away from God; and is found once again in the rightful place, just as a child in the household of the family of the Father

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The verses describe the conversion of a soul,  Like the stories of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, the story of Zaccheus should be studied.  The Lord Jesus never changes; what He did for the man in this story, He is able and willing to do for us.

We learn firstly, that no one is too bad to be saved, or is beyond the power of Christ’s grace.  We are told of  a wealthy man becoming a disciple of Christ.  We see the rich man entering the Kingdom of God.  We see clear proof that all things are possible with God.

The door of hope which the Gospel reveals to sinners, is wide open.  Let us not be narrow-minded to shut it  We should never be afraid  to maintain, that Christ is able to save the worst, and that the vilest of sinners, may be freely forgiven if they will only come to Him. We should offer the Gospel to all, telling there is hope  if they will repent and believe.  Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, Some people may think this as foolish, but such doctrine  is the Gospel of Him who saved Zaccheus at Jericho.  Hospitals may discharge people who are deemed to be incurable, but there are no cases under the Gospel.  Anyone who comes to Christ may be healed.

We learn secondly from these verses, how little and insignificant are the things on which a soul’s salvation lies.  We are told Zaccheus sought to see who Jesus was, and yet could not because He was too small. Curiosity and only such, appears to be the motive of his mind, and he was ready to gratify it.  He climbed a tree, and on that small action so far as eyes could see, there lay the salvation of his soul.  Jesus stood under the tree and said, ‘Come down, I must abide at thy house’.  From that moment, Zaccheus was am altered man, and that night he became a Christian.

Never despise the day of small things, never reckon anything little that men and women, by ways of the Holy Spirit, are wondrous and mysterious.  In every work, there must be a beginning, and in spiritual work that beginning is small. A careless brother may turn and come to Church, do not let the motives be a question. Let it be far better to help, so that one day he may receive Christ readily.

We learn thirdly,  compassion to words of sinners, and His power to change hearts.

Unasked, He offers Himself to be a guest at the house of a sinner.

It is not possible with such a passage as this, to exalt too highly the grace of the Lord Jeus Christ, There is within Him an infinite readiness to receive, a chance to save sinners.  Above all, we cannot hold too firmly that salvation not of works, but of grace.  Let us grasp these doctrines firmly, and not let them go. The price is high. Grace, free grace, is the only thought which gives people rest in a dying hour.  Let us proclaim these doctrines, and bid all, to come to Jesus Christ, just as they are, and not wait in the vain hope that they can make themselves worthy to come.  Tell that Jesus Christ waits for them, and will dwell in their poor hearts.  He states, ‘behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me

We learn lastly, that converted sinners will always give evidence of their conversion.  We are told that Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord,’ take half of my goods, I give unto the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation I will repay fourfold’.  There was unmistaken proof that Zaccheus had a new nature.  When a wealthy Christian begins to distribute his riches, and as extortioner begins to make restitution, we may well believe that old things have passed away, and all things become new.  There was decision in that speech. Freely pardoned and raised from death to life Zaccheus felt he was ready to show whose he was and whom he served.

He desires to give proof he was a believer, and walk in the steps as Zaccheus, who will announce the sins which formerly beset him.  A believer should live as a believer and confess they know Christ

Let us turn from the passage, remembering the last verse; the Son of Man came into the world to seek and save that which was lost.  It is as Savior more than a Judge, that Christ desires to beknown. let us show we know Him as such;  let us take care our soul is saved. Once converted and saved, we shall say, what shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits.  Once saved, we shall not complain hat self-denial like that of Zaccheus, is a real requirement.

 

Praise God for His Glorious Gospel and the Lord Jesus for His saving power.