He would have just wanted to have a glance at this Rabbi, Jesus, who is not as judgmental as Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. NC27, Phase AA3, Tax collectors weren't viewed greatly among the people, so why would a man like him want to. As a crowd forms around Jesus, Zacchaeus is too short to see Him through the crowd. Who was Zacchaeus? 5 Things To Know from His Bible Story - Crosswalk.com He was also very, very small in size, which meant that he probably got lost in a crowd. God, on the other hand, had a personal interest in this guy and desired for him to be rescued. This was the scene when Jesus passed through the city of Jericho. Luke 19:2 says, Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich (NKJV). What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? While the crowds were grumbling because Zacchaeus was a sinner, Jesus was welcoming Zacchaeus because he was a sinner worthy of being changed. His mother and father looked down upon him and thought he was the most precious little fellow in the worldso they named him "Pure." So I conclude that it was paramount in the heart of Zacchaeus to see Jesus, because he was willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant his pride, affluency, and reputation, just to get a glimpse of Him. On the surface, it was almost as if Billy Graham had arrived in town and decided to stay with the proprietor of a downtown bar! Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.. Welcome to Stack Exchange, we are glad you are here. He not only saw Jesus, Jesus saw him. Not discouraged by that, he ran ahead to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB *Invite Jesus into your life. Is Luke 15 intended as an argument for, against or to qualify the idea of irrecoverable apostasy? The majority of people detested him and considered him to be the worst of sinners. There is no sinner too lost to be saved. Jesus' words, Today salvation has come to this house, did not imply that the act of giving to the poor had saved Zaccheus, but that his change in lifestyle evidenced his right relationship before God. ", And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. Jesus stopped right under the tree where the little tax collector was perched did something really surprising. (I get this from the flow of the text, Jesus responding to Zacchaeus. This passage exposes that the name fit this man! Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, Mark 2:5 says when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. He healed the man. At the time of Jesus birth, Israel was under the dominion of the Roman government. Website: www.cedarministry.org. There are different obstacles people face to come to Jesus but they could be overcome where there is willingness. God has sparked this same longing in the hearts of people of all ages many times throughout history, and this is not a new phenomenon. Clearly Jesus announces that salvation has come to the man's home. His encounter with Jesus changed his life. Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, on the other hand, rose to his feet. Jesus looked up and said, "Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today." The people. But here Jesus was, inviting Himself to a tax collectors house, acting like He was His friend. These include: Perhaps the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about making things right in your life. As a side-note the name Zacchaeus means pure. Fr. The old has passed away! I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. The Man of Sorrows was well aware that he would be subjected to derision, anguish, and disgrace. Because Jesus is God, He knew all there was to know about the man in the treehis name, his job, even the number of hairs on his head! He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. Thus Zacchaeus motivation for giving is not to detach himself from his possessions but to make a significant contribution to Jesus mission to the poor. Why couldn't Zacchus see Jesus? Who was Zacchaeus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org (All emphasis theirsthey bold words quoted from the text.). His spiritual eyes were opened, and he came to know Jesus as the Messiah, his Savior, as a result of his trust. believer in Jesus. The blood of Jesus will take care of every sin. He quickly thought of what he would do in his circumstances. Zacchaeus was a physically fit man who also happened to be extremely wealthy. I must be a guest in your home today" (Luke 19:5, NLT). He was looking forward to seeing Jesus, who was on his way. They feel the gospel is only for the poor and the low people in society. Ask: Did Jesus know that Zacchaeus was a sinner? He continued on to Jerusalem because He understood that His death was required in order for us human beings to be rescued. 11I say to you that many will come from east and west, and [m]recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; 12but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ). Main Point: Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. in the story is caused by the rejection of Zacchaeus by the Jewish Less clear (to me anyway) is the why. Luke 19:8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Luke 19:1-7. it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things Luke doesn't tell us why; perhaps Zacchaeus had heard that Jesus was not like other rabbis and that one of his closest disciples was actually a tax collector. Sycamores are common in the area and their branches are long, plentiful, and grow close to the ground. Quick, come down! Why was Zacchaeus saved according to Jesus? There is no sinner too lost to be saved. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. He cherished his wealth as much as, if not more than, he cherished God! 2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. Whether we are aware of it or not, we all have a natural propensity to look out for ourselves and grab whatever we can get away with, much like Zacchaeus. The majority of Israelis believed that the Messiah would be a victorious military hero, rather than a little boy who would die at a young age. There is a possibility that it will deliver the ray of hope that they have been seeking. Among those there was a man by the name of Zacchaeus, who was both a senior tax collector and a wealthy businessman. Commentators and scholars see this as a fairly straightforward situation that demonstrates exemplary use of wealth and material resources. grace through Faith Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Zaccheus was saved because God chose him to be a type of Christ. Wow. The majority of the time, those who are affluent are less likely to become disciples of someone who is impoverished and despised, as was Jesus, 5) Zacchaeus was unaware that when Jesus passed through Jericho, it was our Lords final journey to Jerusalem. His father was a small child, and he was a small child as well. Jesus says, Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Although he had achieved financial success, he felt that something was lacking from his life; and that'something' had everything to do with Jesus. "I Want To See Jesus!" - Sermon Central That includes Pharisees. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as the Lord passed through town, but, because Zacchaeus was a short man, he could not see over the thronging crowd. And finally, he was a completely changed man after spending some time with Jesus. But there was something else that made people hate the tax collectors. Believers must not discriminate against any sinner or believe (or suggest) that certain sinners cannot be saved. But Zacchaeus could not be stopped by anything. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. The Jews must have been uncomfortable hearing Jesus refer to Zacchaeus as also a son of Abraham because theyve considered him a traitor and sinner. Many of us were taught this Scripture when we were children, and we were able to comprehend it when we were young. The narrative of Zacchaeus, which is only recorded in the Gospel of Luke, is more than just a charming childrens song; it is a morality tale. Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. The fact that his sinners heart repented completely is going to be our focus today. Perhaps he even inquired as to if he might climb up on someones shoulders! This is the first action we see from Zacchaeus. Weve always assumed it was a sycamore tree, and we still consider it to be one now. But he was a short man. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will make good on my promise to reimburse them. Application: Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus and wanted to see with his PHYSICAL eyes what all the commotion was about. "Faith" is never mentioned in the passage. As you recall, Zacchaeus is sitting in a tree when Jesus "looked up and saw him, and said to him" these words. God wants us to perceive Jesus in the same light as he does. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Upon seeing this, everyone began to murmur, He has gone to be the guest of a sinner, which was followed by further murmuring. Zacchaeus resided in Jericho, a prominent commercial hub strategically located on a key trade route connecting Jerusalem with the areas east of the Jordan. 6. Zacchaeus was interested in learning more about Jesus. We should publicly proclaim the Gospel to the worst and most vile of sinners, and we should declare to them, There is hope. The compassion of Christ for sinners, as well as His ability to change human hearts, are depicted in this passage, 2) No one is out of reach of Gods mercy and forgiveness. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way (Luke 19:4 NKJV). In Luke 18, verse 32, Jesus declares that He will be handed over to the Gentiles, where He would be humiliated, insulted, and spat upon. When we believe this, repent, and follow Him, just like Zacchaeus did, Jesus will transform our life and transform us into something new and wonderful! Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing through town, and he wanted to see him. Although we dont know what Jesus said to Zacchaeus after arriving at the tax collectors home, we do see the result of their interaction. We, too, have total access to the whole truth of who God is because of Gods word, which we may read here. Commentary on Luke 19:1-10 - Working Preacher He says in John 6:37 all that the Father gives Him will come to Him, and the one who comes to Him, He will by no means cast out. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. The self-righteous people in the audience were particularly skeptical of Jesus interest in a guy like Zacchaeus, yet Christ was exhibiting his purpose to seek out and redeem the wayward by engaging with him. Jesus was merely declaring what God had done by the fruit that he saw. Analysis of the grammar indicates that Zacchaeus is on the verge of a large shift in his understanding of his place and power as well as the nature of of whom this Jesus is. The rich young ruler became very sad and walked away from Jesus. He could have used the crowd and his short stature as an excuse for not seeing Jesus but he didnt because he was determined to see Jesus.