Preliminaries
- [PICT Thank You] Thanks to our pastor for giving me the opp to stand before you today. I feel like I've won the lottery.
- Many of you know that I've been on quite a journey the last couple of years. [BLANK]
Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2009, I underwent two different rounds of chemo, and had a stem cell transplant last year.
A stem cell transplant is a complete reboot of your immune system. It’s an amazing thing!
It seems to have pleased the Lord to set me free, as I've been in remission since June of last year. Glory to God. And thank you all for coming alongside me and my family during that difficult season. - I got my own stem cells. But many people need stem cells donated from others. [PICT: BeTheMatch.com] You can literally save a life by going to bethematch.com and clicking the Join button. If you’re interested in more information, I’d be happy to talk with you about it after the service.
Transition:
[BLANK] Speaking of reboots, have you noticed all the reboots in the movies? Two Snow White reboots with Mirror, Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman. Sometimes stories need refreshing.The same is true about the Bible.
This morning, I’d like to reboot an "old" Bible story, found in Luke 19. [PICT Zacchaeus reboot]
A reboot of this story is important, because some Bible passages are so well worn, we don't hear them any more. Some passages are like inside jokes. You read and you think you get it, but you’re not positive. This Event is one of them. Google for “Zacchaeus”, and on the very first page, you’ll get great resources for kids: puppet videos, coloring pages.
And I know that the first thing that came to your mind when I said Zacch was the song “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.”
Like Snow White, the Zacc story has been pigeon holed into a kids story. But it's time for this story to grow up. And it's time for us to learn what it's really about.
So let’s turn to Luke 19:1-10.
[PICT Jesus Thru...] While you’re turning there, I want you to know about a great book called “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes”. It should go without saying that the gospel wasn’t originally written for 21st Century Westerners. It was written for 1st Century Middle Easterners. As a result, the stories had different significance than they do for us. This is the source for a lot of the inside information I’ll be sharing this morning.
[BLANK]
[READ]
19 1 [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man! ” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much! ” 9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
PRAYER: Open our eyes Lord, that we may see wonderful things out of your Law. May this be a time when each of us hears from you and responds to you. Have Your way here today. Amen.
- [PICT Map showing relation of Jericho to Jerusalem.] "He entered Jericho and was passing through."
- Why was Jesus in Jericho? He was wrapping up His preaching from village to village [PICT Matthew 9:35ff], and was on His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover and then crucifixion. The clock was ticking.
- [BLANK] He’s surrounded by crowds. Lu 18:35ff. Some in the crowd were Disciples and some were Roadies, following Jesus from place to place.
- But most were a sort of welcoming committee from Jericho.
- Jesus is a celebrity. Who knows, He might even be the Messiah, sent from God to save the world!
- You don’t just Like Jesus on facebook. You get out on the road to town so you can get a glimpse of him and welcome Him into your town with shouts and waving..
- [PICT: Motorcade and soldier] like when the President’s motorcade comes to town and we go out to meet him
- Or when a hero comes home and crowds meet him at the airport
- Jesus wasn’t staying in Jericho, but was passing through.
- In the Middle East, when a dignitary comes to town, their hospitality customs had the people prepare to give him an appropriate welcome, including a feast and a place to spend the night. [BLANK]
- With the huge crowds that were awaiting him, you can be sure that someone had a banquet set up.
- But while the town was ready to receive Jesus, He was just passing through.
- In the Middle East, when a dignitary comes to town, their hospitality customs had the people prepare to give him an appropriate welcome, including a feast and a place to spend the night. [BLANK]
- Introducing Zacchaeus "2. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich."
- His name is ironic. It means “Clean, pure.” [PICTURE of Mr. Clean.] But he was NOT clean.
- He was a tax collector.
- People don’t like the IRS today, but a New Testament tax collector was nothing like the IRS. Much more like the mafia.
- In exchange for providing trade and world peace, the Roman empire exacted taxes on its peoples.
- Someone in each region would volunteer to be the person to pay the taxes for an area, and then they would get the citizens to pay him back. He might have to pay $1000 per year. And he gets Roman backing to help him collect from the people.
- [PICT Tax collector math.] Here’s the thing: the tax collector sets his own fees. He may require $10 per person per year. With 5000 people, he collects $50000, and makes quite a profit.
- If people didn’t like it, the tax collector could call for a squad of soldiers to come and make the person pay, if you know what I mean.
- People don’t like the IRS today, but a New Testament tax collector was nothing like the IRS. Much more like the mafia.
- Taxes is a big deal, because when they were trying to frame Jesus, they accused Him of not paying taxes. [PICT Lu 23:2]
- I could see where they’re coming from, because when tax collectors came to Christ, they either quit (like the apostle Matthew), or they began charging fair wages, making it seem like He was cutting Caesar’s take.
- [PICTURE: chief tax collector] He was a chief tax collector. Greek: an arch tax collector.. Three things to point out about this:
- As the arch tax collector, he had regular tax collectors working for him.
- As the arch tax collector, he was the one who actually had regular dealings with the Romans as he handed them the money.
- He may have' been a man of power and influence with the Romans, but he was the person who most betrayed his people.
- As the arch tax collector, he had regular tax collectors working for him.
- He was rich. PICT Tax Collector Math 2
- Of course he was!
- And, I can see how he might justify his wealth. The more detestable his position in society became, the more he felt he deserved his wages for having to put up with so much stuff.
- Of course he was!
- I could see where they’re coming from, because when tax collectors came to Christ, they either quit (like the apostle Matthew), or they began charging fair wages, making it seem like He was cutting Caesar’s take.
- [BLANK]. That’s Zacchaeus. Obviously a man beyond hope, right? There’s no way someone like him would ever be saved. If you or I were to encounter someone like him on the streets of Huntsville, or in a business setting, or in an airplane, we would sincerely think that sharing Christ with him would be a waste of time.
- His name is ironic. It means “Clean, pure.” [PICTURE of Mr. Clean.] But he was NOT clean.
- "He was trying to see who Jesus was"
- I don’t know how it happened, but there was something going on inside Zacchaeus.
- Maybe Zac really was hungering and thirsting for rightness.
- The Greek is emphatic. He sought to see who Jesus was. Literally, he was a seeker. [Foreshadows Jesus’s words in 19:10 - He came to seek and to save the lost.]
- What about you? [PICTURE: “What about you?”] Who is Jesus to you? Not the Sunday School answer, but your soul's answer. Is Jesus more to you than a paper cutout? Is he more than just a rumor to you? Come on. Honestly. Deep down, don’t you really wish there was something more to Jesus than this?
- Don’t just sit there and let your curiosity slip away as if it were nothing more than indigestion. Be at least as serious as Zac. [PICTURE: What if it’s really true that Jesus is the One sent by God to change the world?] What difference would that make to you? This isn't a speech. This isn't a sermon. This isn't a lesson. I'm sincerely asking you a question.
- Back to our story. Let's see what difference this makes to Zaccahus.
- [BLANK] "He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man."
- Not just that he was short. There were all kinds of short and weak people around Jesus. Beggars, lepers, blind, bleeding people.
- He couldn’t risk it. He was a Roman collaborator. If he had made his way into that crowd, he would’ve ended up with a knife in his ribs. And no one would’ve known it until the crowd passed and there was his trampled dead body left behind in the street.
- Not just that he was short. There were all kinds of short and weak people around Jesus. Beggars, lepers, blind, bleeding people.
- He did two embarrassing things. "Luke 19:4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way."
- Prominent Middle Easterners don’t run, any more than diplomats in business suits run. You have to hike up your robes and then people will see your feet and your bare legs and your underwear.
- And they definitely don’t climb trees! Imagine a Saudi sheik in a tree.
- How far would you be willing to go to see who Jesus was? Would you be willing to run or climb a tree?
- At the end of our time together this morning, would you be willing to step out from where you’re sitting and come down to the front and meet with one of us? Are you willing to say, "I want my life to be different. I want a better understanding of Jesus."
- That's where Zacchaeus was.
- Prominent Middle Easterners don’t run, any more than diplomats in business suits run. You have to hike up your robes and then people will see your feet and your bare legs and your underwear.
- [He was stuck!]
- The nice thing about the sycamore tree [PICTURE], is that it’s big and has big leaves. You might be able to climb into such a tree and be totally hidden from view.
- No such luck for Zac. He was spotted! We know he was because Jesus called him by name.
- Sure, he could’ve been using His divine power to do that, but when Jesus does, the text usually points out that He is, with “Jesus, knowing all things.. ”
- its no stretch to imagine that someone in the crowd happened to see Zac up in the tree. What a laughable site that was. “Hahaha. Look, Zac is in that tree! Is he trying to hide? In a tree?!”
- And doubtless there were people in that crowd who were licking their lips, amazed at this golden opportunity to get back at Zac. They were throwing insults and thinking about throwing rocks.
- Sure, he could’ve been using His divine power to do that, but when Jesus does, the text usually points out that He is, with “Jesus, knowing all things.. ”
- I think it’s important to point out here that at Southside, you’re in a safe place. If you respond to Jesus today, this crowd will be on your side. No one will be against you. If there are any shouts, they’ll be shouts of joy! We are all on this journey together.
- The nice thing about the sycamore tree [PICTURE], is that it’s big and has big leaves. You might be able to climb into such a tree and be totally hidden from view.
- Jesus rescued Zac. Luke 19:5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”
- This is the part that’s so easy to miss. Jesus shouted up to Zacchaeus. The crowd hushed, anticipating how the Messiah would put him in his place. It was going to be sweet. “Zacchaeus, you filthy robber! You stand under the judgment of God, and you will fall!”
- [SLIDE John 3:17] But Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
- Jesus did shout to Zac. He commanded him: “Hurry up and come down!” He said, “I have to go back into town and spend the night in your house.” [BLANK]
- Curious that Jesus said “I must stay at your house.” Why must He? Because, ladies and gentlemen, He had a divine appointment. This was the very reason the Son of God grew that sycamore tree. It was the very reason He passed through Jericho.
- At this point, Zac’s choices:
- Stay in the tree. Hope and pray for Roman soldiers to come and back him up before someone comes and pulls him down from the tree. Or throws rocks at him.
- Risk everything, take Jesus at His word, and come down.
- Jesus might’ve been joking. He might betray him.
- OTOH, Zac might find himself under the protection of Jesus’s influence, so that the crowds wouldn’t dare touch him.
- Jesus might’ve been joking. He might betray him.
- Stay in the tree. Hope and pray for Roman soldiers to come and back him up before someone comes and pulls him down from the tree. Or throws rocks at him.
- It didn’t take Zach long to decide because the Bible says he hurried up and came down!
- This is the part that’s so easy to miss. Jesus shouted up to Zacchaeus. The crowd hushed, anticipating how the Messiah would put him in his place. It was going to be sweet. “Zacchaeus, you filthy robber! You stand under the judgment of God, and you will fall!”
- Luke 19:6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.
- he received Jesus joyfully. He opened his home to Jesus.
- And the Bible says, [PICTURE John 1:12]
- This was Zac's first step of faith in Jesus. And Jesus proved Himself trustworthy.
- he received Jesus joyfully. He opened his home to Jesus.
- [BLANK] This rescue cost Jesus. Luke 19:7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
- Moments before, Jesus was the darling of the crowd. They loved Him. Now they’re angry at Him. Why?
- Jesus committed a serious faux pas by showing compassion to this traitor.
- BTW, don't miss their hypocrisy... They don’t really care that Zac’s a sinner against God. What irks them is that Zac is has sinned against them.
- Jesus committed a serious faux pas by showing compassion to this traitor.
- Jesus took the wrath of the people on Himself in order to rescue Zac from them.
- In about one week, Jesus was going to be in a tree--nailed to a cross. And the people will hurl their insults at Him. [PICT Mt 27:39-44] But He won't come down because He must hang there without relief until He had paid the sin debt of everyone everywhere in all time who would ever do like Zacchaeus, and trust Him.
- Moments before, Jesus was the darling of the crowd. They loved Him. Now they’re angry at Him. Why?
- [BLANK] Look how Zach has changed. Luke 19:8
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
- Zacchaeus stands up during dinner and makes this announcement about lavish restitution.
- He wasn’t making this announcement to the crowd, but to Jesus.
- He wasn’t making this announcement to the crowd, but to Jesus.
- It does matter a little what others think of you. It matters much more what Jesus thinks of you.
- What does Zach call Jesus? [Wait for response.] Lord!
- What does it mean to call Jesus Lord? It means you’re under His authority. In v. 8, Zach surrenders his whole life to Jesus and calls Him Lord.
- When it comes to dealing with money, it’s a Mideastern custom to be dramatic. To exaggerate. In all honesty, Zach probably didn’t even have enough money to pay as much as he claimed he would.
- What's more, if he had spoken carefully like we would today, they would’ve thought he was weaseling out.
- You know someone’s life has changed when money has stopped being the central focus of their life. Zach has found a new Master, and now even Zach’s money is at the Lord’s disposal.
- He’s willing to go back to those he’s wronged, painful as that will be, and make restitution.
- Nothing shows that a heart has been transformed more than a willingness to make restitution.
- There's nothing glamorous about restitution. It's painful. It's costly.
- But it's cleansing to the soul.
- Zacchaeus stands up during dinner and makes this announcement about lavish restitution.
- [Salvation in the house.] Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham."
- Even before Zach really did anything, Jesus said “salvation has come to this house.”
- Notice the change of address in this verse.
- Jesus begins by talking to Zac, and ends by talking to us.
- Zach is a son of Abraham, not just by genealogy, but by faith. [SLIDE “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.” Gen 15:6 Rom 4:3 Gal 3:6 Jas 2:23]
- This passage illustrates how real faith is something that shows up in a changed life.
Conclusion.
[BLANK] Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”- At the beginning of the story, we see that Zac was out to seek Jesus. At the end of the story, we see that Jesus was out to seek Zac, and me, and you.
- And now that we have reached the end of the story, what did Zac find as his answer? PICT Jesus is the Lord
- That Jesus is the Lord
- That Jesus loves him, and us, even when we're dirty.
- That God's a much better God than he ever imagined.
- That Jesus is actually on a mission to find us and save us.
- That Jesus is the Lord
- At the beginning of this story, Zac was seeking to see who Jesus was. At the end of the story, Zac was all in.
- That's what Zac found. Is that what you have found?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please pass through our Jericho today. Some of my friends here are pretty much hiding in a tree. They’re hiding because it’s all they know to do. Would You please call their name today? Would you call them to Yourself? Would you come into their lives today and save them?Invitation
- You’ve been so gracious to listen to me. But we're not thru yet. Because if Jesus is calling you, then I'd like to give you an opportunity to respond. Do you feel prompted to do something? If so, i know what’s happening inside your mind right now.
- On the one hand, you're thrilled to imagine what wonders await if you respond.
- OTOH, you say, “I don’t have to step out. I can give my life to Jesus from right here.” Theoretically, that’s true. But in all honesty, that never works. That’s a cop out. That’s you staying in the tree.
- On the one hand, you're thrilled to imagine what wonders await if you respond.
- you're so close. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Take a deep breath and Say, “Lord, I really do want to listen to you. I am willing to put up with a little embarrassment to step out in faith and really put my life in your hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment