23 May, 1999
INTRODUCTION
There is a children's song that most of us know has been around for ages. And it goes like this:
This simple song has introduced this Biblical character to so many of our children over the years. As a matter of fact, were it not for this song, some of us may have never heard of Zacchaeus. And I would imagine that now, whenever his name is mentioned, there is probably something inside you that makes you want to sing this little song. Being that we know who Zacchaeus is through this song, I want to introduce you to him from the Biblical narrative.
Background
Zacchaeus was a real person who lived during the days of Jesus. Luke tells us that he was a chief tax collector or a superintendent of tax collectors.
And as such he was in the service of the government or foreign bakers who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes. He probably oversaw a large tax district and had other tax collectors working for him. And being that his place of residence was Jericho was a prosperous trading center, he was very likely a wealthy man. And being that he held such a position, he was probably a hated and despised man. Tax collectors were well known to use force and fraud to gain riches. There is no doubt that he did not have any friends among the common people.
From the life of this wee little man, I would like to show you some very important truths about God's work of salvation.
Zacchaeus' life is an example of how God can radically change the life of an individual regardless of who he or she is or what position that person holds in life. This man got saved and let me tell what his life teaches about the saving work of God in those who end up putting their faith in Him.
1. Those Who Are Genuinely Drawn To Christ Will Not Be Deterred 19:1-4
There was obviously something inside the heart of Zacchaeus that caused him to be curious about this Jesus he had obviously been hearing about. Surely Zacchaeus, like so many others, had been hearing about Jesus and all He was doing. But there is nothing that tells us he had ever really seen Him prior to this event - he really didn't know what this Jesus looked like.
What would cause a man of Zacchaeus' status to literally run ahead of Jesus' entourage, climb up in a tree, just "to see who Jesus was?" He was genuinely curious about Jesus. But is that all there was to it?
Whatever his reason for being so curious, I cannot help but believe that Zacchaeus was brought to this place of wanting to see Jesus out of more than just curiosity.
I believe the Bible clearly teaches God's sovereign work of salvation in the lives of those who respond to Jesus. We can see from the Scriptures that those who come to faith in Jesus Christ do so because of the enabling power of God, the Father.
Look with me if you will at the words of Jesus as recorded in John 6:44,60-65.
Based on these words, it seems to me that whether Zacchaeus knew it or not, it had to be that he was being drawn to Christ by the sovereign work of God in his life. This was not just coincidence. It was not just happen-stance that Zacchaeus all of sudden let his curiosity get the best of him. Whether he knew it or not at the time, God was working in his life before he ever heard about Jesus coming down that road into Jericho. His heart was obviously being prepared and He was being drawn to Christ even as he climbed up in that tree. And he would not be to deterred - not by the crowd - and not by the opinions of those who wanted to stand in his way.
It is really important for us to understand that those of us who have come to faith in Christ have done so because God has enabled us and drawn us to Himself. Maybe you are one of those who is kind of curious about this Jesus you hear so much about. Whatever your reason for being so curious, maybe you should consider the fact that God is doing a work in your life already.
Maybe you are worried about you know who really needs to come to faith in Jesus. Maybe you shouldn't be so pushy but get out of the way and let God do His work of grace, God certainly uses us to bring individuals to faith in Christ and we certainly should be sharing the gospel with those who are lost. But maybe sometimes we try to do what only God can do. Isn't interesting that Zacchaeus came to faith in Jesus with the help of no one. You know why? Those who are genuinely drawn to Christ will not be deterred.
2. Those Who Are Genuinely Summoned By Christ Can't Help But Respond - 19:5-6
When Jesus called Zacchaeus, or actually commanded, Zacchaeus to come down out of that tree, it was almost like he couldn't resist. It was almost like he had no choice. There was something going on inside of this wee little man that caused him to immediately respond - no hesitation - no questions asked.
I think back to some others in the New Testament who were summoned in a similar fashion and almost could not help but respond:
We have a hard time with this issue of the irresistible saving grace of God - the idea that when God calls us to salvation or even ministry, we don't have much of a choice in the matter. Michael Horton, in his book Putting Amazing Back Into Grace calls it God's "intoxicating grace." But whatever your opinion is, it is obvious to me from these examples in Scripture that those who were genuinely called to follow Jesus, couldn't help but respond to that call.
Why didn't Zacchaeus hesitate and deliberate before coming down from that tree. Why didn't he put up a fight. Why didn't he resist? Why didn't he struggle with the choice that was his to make to come down and eventually put his faith in Christ? (By the way, this is the only time where Jesus invited Himself over to someone's house.)
There is a lot more going on in the heart of a person being called to follow Christ than we will ever know. When God enables a person to come to Him and then initiates that call to follow Him, we cannot help but respond. That was the case with my own life and it was true of Zacchaeus. And if God has been speaking to you about completely trusting in Him for salvation rather than your own good works, it is just a matter of time - so you might as well come down out of your tree right now.
3. Those Who Are Genuinely Converted By Christ Will Be Obvious 19:8
Zacchaeus' life had been radically changed and it became obvious in an area of his life that had to have been very important to him - his money. All of a sudden his money did not really mean anything to him anymore. Compare this man's attitude with that of the rich young ruler in just a few verses back (Luke 18:18-27), and you have to agree that there had been an obvious change. Over the years, Zacchaeus had been ripping people off, left and right. He had gotten rich by taking advantage of his position and by taking advantage of others. And now, he is more than ready to make it all right.
When it came to restitution, the law required a penalty of one-fifth as restitution for money that was acquired by fraud. So Zacchaeus was doing more than was actually required. The law did require a four-fold restitution but only when an animal was stolen or killed. And if the animal was found alive, only a two-fold restitution was required. And being that much his wealth had probably been acquired by fraud, this was going to be a costly commitment. And then on top of all that, he gave half of his goods to the poor. Zacchaeus obviously wanted Jesus to know he meant business. He, unlike the rich young ruler, was a changed man. And this change is seen in his change of heart toward those he had wronged.
Only a life-changing encounter with Jesus will do that to a person. This was not just a show he was putting on for Jesus. This was not just a way to impress Jesus. He was a different person. Because this kind of action is so opposite to the nature of anyone - especially a tax collector. Zacchaeus' willingness to make restitution with those he had wronged was proof that his conversion was real. If this was not the real thing and if he was just trying to impress Jesus, he would have likely only done the bare minimum. And the very fact that Jesus did not have to tell him what he needed to do speaks volumes of his sincerity. He did not even ask Jesus what he needed to do. He did it because he wanted to and he did it because he was a different person. These were the actions of a changed man.
Zacchaeus was a changed man and it was obvious. Because those who are genuinely converted by the power and the grace of Christ will be obvious by the life they live. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20 "...by their fruit you will recognize them."
4. Those Who Are Genuinely Sought By Christ Will Be Saved - 19:9-10
Jesus makes it clear that salvation had, in fact, come to the household of Zacchaeus. Whether that meant that everyone in his household had come to faith along with him or if it just means that salvation had come to his household because Zacchaeus had just been saved, I'm not sure. And it was not only because he was a Jew, or a son of Abraham, but also because of what Jesus had done in him. It was not so much a matter of nationality but a change of heart.
But Jesus also makes it clear that He sought Zacchaeus before Zacchaeus had sought him. He makes it clear that Zacchaeus was saved because "the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost." This whole life changing experience was initiated by Jesus. It might look like Zacchaeus started the whole thing. But in reality, Jesus did. Jesus could have passed right on by and not said a word to this wee little man. But Zacchaeus was saved because Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.
And the same is true in those of us here who have come to faith in Christ. Jesus started it and He will finish. Paul says in Philippians 1:6, "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
What that means is this - If you are one who has been saved, it is because He found you - you did not find Him.
Reminds me of the bumper sticker from many years back with the simple words: I FOUND IT. Well that is not the case for those who have put their faith in Christ. We did not find Him, He found us. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. That was His mission - that was His whole purpose in coming to this earth. And His purpose will be accomplished.
Conclusion: We don't hear anything about Zacchaeus from this point on so there is a lot we don't know about him. But one thing is for sure, he climbed up that sycamore tree a wealthy, powerful and lost individual. But Jesus found him and he lived out his days a changed man - a new creation in Christ.
Did you know that thing could happen to you? Did you know that, apart from Christ, you are lost? I don't care how much money you have or what position in life you hold. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are lost. And Jesus is the only one can do anything about it. It's not about going to church - it's not about being a good person. It's about coming to trust in Jesus for salvation more than you are trusting in anything else. Have you done that. Zacchaeus did and maybe you will too before you leave this place this morning.