Luke 19:1-10 – Buying Back A Lost Soul – Bible study

Luke 19:1-10 Everyone Means You The account that is before is a powerful story with much truth. Let us examine it by looking at Jesus statements. They are recorded in verses 5, 9, & 10. These statements reveal truths not only about Zacchaeus but about Jesus and His mission as well. I. \#5\ Jesus Knowledge – Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. Luke 19:5 Zacchaeus A. As far as we can tell, this is the first time the two have meet; yet Jesus knew Zacchaeus name. 1. \#3\ Definitely makes it sound like Zacchaeus did not know Jesus. Luke 19:3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was. a. The implication being that Zacchaeus did not know who Jesus was. b. No doubt Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. Jesus had been through the city before. c. Zacchaeus may have even seen Jesus before. d. But today, Zacchaeus wanted to really see who Jesus was. He wanted to know Him, whether He was the Messiah or not. 2. \#4\ also makes it sound like the two had never met before. Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. a. Typically that is not the way you would visit with a person you already know. b. Typically, you would just walk up to them, knowing that even if there was a crowd around, when you acquaintance saw you, he would stop and greet you. B. But even though the two had not meet before, Jesus did know Zacchaeus. 1. Jesus called him by name. a. How did Jesus know Zacchaeus name? b. He is God. Even in human form, Jesus had access to the mind of God and could know anything that the Father and the Spirit revealed to Him. 2. I believe Jesus knew much more than Zacchaeus name. a. I believe Jesus knew Zacchaeus was a little man with some big sins. Luke 19:3 because he was little of stature. (1) I suppose it would be improper to call someone short today, but Zacchaeus was short. (2) Yet, being short in size did not stop him from having some large sins. (3) Verse 2 describe Zacchaeus and his large sins. Luke 19:2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. (a) He was a publican, a Roman tax collector. i. Tax collectors have never been loved. ii. But the Romans occupied Israel. They were their conquerors and they were hated. iii. Zacchaeus worked for the Romans. To the Jews, that made him a traitor. iv. Publicans also got to keep anything over the due taxes collected. To the Jews, that made him a thief. v. To the Jews, a publican was about the worse kind of sinner a person could be. Luke 19:7 And when they saw it (that Jesus was going to eat with Zacchaeus), they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (b) Not only was Zacchaeus a publican, he was a chief publican. i. That means he was their boss. ii. It would be bad enough being a mere publican for you would make plenty of people mad on your own. iii. But being the boss of the publicans meant you had your finger in everyones taxes. iv. This man must have been really hated. (c) He was rich. i. Well, that clinched it, at least in the eyes of the people. ii. How would they figure he got rich? By stealing their taxes. b. Zacchaeus was a lonely man with no friends. (1) Again we see verse 7. (2) No one ate with this man. (3) The Bible tells us that the reason he climbed the sycomore tree was to see better because he was short, but it might also have been because no one else would want him standing beside them! c. Zacchaeus was a lost man with Gods love. (1) Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. (2) People like to hear their nameat least if it is used in a pleasant way. (3) I wonder how long it had been since lonely Zacchaeus had heard his name used in a loving way? (4) \#Mark 1:40-41\ Much like the leper who came and bowed before Jesus, asking to be healed, and Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. (a) How long had been since that man had felt the touch of a human hand? (b) How wonderful, how loving that must have felt? (c) So Jesus reaches up into the branches of a sycomore tree with His words and touches this man. II. Jesus Plan – Jesus was going to visit in Zacchaeus house that day. Luke 19:5 Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. A. God had a rendezvous with Zacchaeus that day. It sounds like it was preordained, does it not? B. It reminds me of Johns statement. Joh 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria. 1. Why did John make that kind of statement? Probably because he heard Jesus make that kind of statement. 2. In both of these passages, Jesus "needed" to go to these places. 3. In John 4, many unusual things occurred in relation to Jesus fulfilling His need. a. Jesus took an unusual route going through the land of the Samaritans, a people not well liked by the Jews. b. An unusual event happened when Jesus came to a certain city. He stayed at the well to rest, alone, while all the other disciples went into town to get lunch. (1) What? Was no one else tired? (2) Did no one want to stay to keep Jesus company? (3) It took twelve men to bring back a little lunch? c. An unusual conversation took place between Jesus and a woman of Samaria. Men and women did not strike up conversations in those days, but Jesus struck up one with her. d. And an unusual outcome. The woman was saved and she had a part in introducing Jesus to her entire city. 4. So Jesus need in John 4 resulted in someone needing a Savior. 5. In Luke 19, there is lonely, sinful, short Zacchaeus and he needs a Savior too. 6. Could it be that was Jesus plan? III. Jesus Declaration – Jesus declared salvation had come to Zacchaeus house. Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. A. That is an interesting statement. 1. The Bible never tells us when Zacchaeus got saved. 2. As it matter of fact, some would argue he might not have, but I see in this declaration of Jesus a sure sign that he did. B. Luke has only recorded a small portion of the events of that day. 1. For example, Luke doesnt record that Jesus even actually went to Zacchaeus house, but Jesus said He was going to and I know He did. 2. Luke has just given us the highlights. 3. Sometime during the course of Jesus and Zacchaeus time together, Jesus made the statement, publically, to the crowd. 4. I believe it was Jesus way of assuring the people that anyone, no matter how great a sinner or how hated, can be saved. C. But we need to understand that salvation was not automatic for Zacchaeus. 1. He had to do the same things to be saved as you and I. a. He had to believe that Jesus was the Savior. b. He had to repent of his sins and the best he knew how, surrender himself to Jesus. Luke 19:8 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. 2. The fact that all of that is not recorded in the Bible does not mean it did not happen. 3. There are some facts we need to get firmly planted in our spirit: a. There is only one Savior. b. Everyone must come to Him alike. c. No one who comes will be turned away. Ro 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. IV. Jesus Invitation – Jesus invited Zacchaeus because he was one of Abrahams children. Luke 19:9 forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. A. Jesus was essentially saying that anyone who was a son of Abraham was welcomed to come and be forgiven. 1. Jesus was standing in Jericho, a Jewish city, filled with children of Abraham. All Jews are children of Abraham. 2. It would take too much time to explain it now, but Gods gift of salvation was opened up to a much wider audience in Acts 10. B. There was opened up to any who are sons or daughters of Adam. 1. That is you and me. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Re 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 2. Zacchaeus may have been a little man with some big sins, but he had the good sense to come to Jesus Christ when Jesus opened the door for him to do so. V. Jesus Mission – Jesus clearly and plainly stated one of His purposes in coming to the earth. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. A. Considering Jesus statement mission, I would have to say that it was no accident that Jesus passed through Jericho that day. B. It was no accident that He walked down whatever road the sycomore tree was along. C. He was no accident that Jesus stopped, looked up into that tree, and called that man by his name. D. No, Jesus was on a search and rescue mission that day. 1. He still is. 2. He brought you to this place this morning to hear this message. 3. If you are a son of Adam and unsaved, would you come today?