We all come across people that frustrate us because of their selfish choices. Don’t we? One guy is a habitual liar, and another guy is so full of bitterness that he injures everyone in his reach. Then there is the administrator is caught stealing from the company’s retirement fund for employees. He is arrested, but the retirement fund is now wiped out. What’s the answer? We must accept Jesus’ invitation to be transformed!
Background of Luke 19: Jesus passes through the city of Jericho (19:1). Jesus passes through the city of Jericho (19:1). In the Old Testament, Jericho was the first city that Joshua and the Israelites conquered. This marked the beginning of something new as they entered the promised land. In the New Testament, Jesus is passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem and will face the cross. This will mark the beginning of a new covenant with the church. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem that Jesus now walks was the dangerous road the good Samaritan found the Jewish man near death (Lk. 10). The good Samaritan saved a suffering man, and Jesus saves a suffering soul. Jericho is 17 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Each account from this point on bears the weight of what is coming as Jesus approaches Jerusalem!
Zaccheus is a short man who works as a tax collector (19:2). He was wealthy, but the Jewish people hated him. Tax collectors often became wealthy by cheating the people from whom they collected taxes.
Peaked Interest – Luke 19:3-4
Zaccheus wants to see Jesus, but he couldn’t see over the crowds because he was too short. So, Zaccheus decides to act. He runs ahead of where Jesus is walking through Jericho and climbs up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus when he passes by.
Shocking Invitation – Luke 19:5-7
Jesus comes to the sycamore tree that Zaccheus had climbed up into, looks up, and shocks everyone! Jesus invites himself to Zaccheus’ home! Look at the grace of Jesus! The man who cheated many people in the crowd… the man who was a tax collector… the man who was a sinner finds out Jesus wants to come to his home. Zaccheus is thrilled about the invitation, but the crowds of people are not happy! The Bible says the people in the streets “murmured,” complaining that Jesus chose to be the guest of a sinner.
Curious complaint, isn’t it? Jesus is going to be the guest of a sinner. The fact is, they were (and we are) all sinners!
We often struggle when people sin differently than we do.
The truth is, it is a beautiful act of mercy and grace that God would show genuine love for any one of us. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God!” Have you accepted His invitation yet? Jesus wants relationship with you, as well. He wants to forgive you of your sin and be your Savior. We have all messed up. We have all done things we wouldn’t want anyone to know! We are embarrassed and we don’t think we are worthy to come to Jesus. The reality is, Jesus already knows all of that, and He still calls us to come to Him. He reminds us that He even loved us before we ever loved Him (I Jn. 4:10, 19)! Like Zaccheus, we may be a little surprised at this, but it is true. Jesus loves you and wants to save you! Church, Jesus wants to restore relationship with you!
Powerful Transformation – Luke 19:8-10
Look at how Zaccheus responds to Jesus. He pledges to give half of his wealth to the poor and pay back those he cheated 4 times over!
Jesus transforms lives!! Zaccheus doesn’t just get “religion.” He is a changed, completely transformed, man! Jesus comes to the worst known among them and shows the people the power of His work in a man’s heart. A tax collector who isn’t a cheat and gives away half of his wealth? Unheard of!
Jesus wants to change us, too! He wants to transform the lives of drunks, addicts, murderers, thieves, liars, the conceited, idolaters, the immoral, and those bound in bitterness. He wants to change you to something more than just tolerable. He wants to transform you from within, so you know genuine change, and all see Jesus in you. He made that possible on the cross and through His resurrection. The Lamb of glory…what a wondrous story!
This is His mission. Look at Luke 19:10. Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost! This is hope! This is peace! This is for you and me! Repent and accept Jesus’ invitation to know Him… and watch Him transform your life to something greater than you have ever known. A life that is a greater reflection of genuine love, peace, joy, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, faith…a life that is a greater reflection of Jesus.