(08-07-27) Zacchaeus - Ezekiel 11.17-20; Romans 5.1-11; Luke 19.1-10

Zacchaeus –

Ezekiel 11:17-20; Romans 5:1-11; Luke 19:1-10

·      One of the most well-known stories of Jesus

o  comic image of a short man up a tree

o  the murmuring about Jesus socialising with the wrong people

o  the ‘baddie’ tax-collector turned good

o  the dramatic change in Zacchaeus’ present and future

·      Often the most important things are put simply

o  2 points to say about the story

·      Salvation comes to Zacchaeus when he accepts Jesus

·      Mae  iachawdwriaeth yn dod i Zac wrth iddo dderbyn Iesu

o  what causes Zacchaeus’ curiosity?

§  conscience – is he aware of his wrongdoing?

§  greed – what can this man do for me?

§  inquisitiveness – who is this man?

o  either way, he encounters Jesus who causes a change

§  what is said in Zacchaeus’ house is unknown, but Zacchaeus’ comes to a place of repentance

o  darganfyddodd Zacchaeus tangnefedd gyda Duw

o  Zacchaeus discovered ‘peace with God’

o  as Paul speaks of in Romans

·      Salvation leads to a changed life

·      Mae iachawdwriaeth yn arwain i fywyd newydd

o  repentance begins with a change of heart, but becomes a change of action, lifestyle

o  Ezekiel – a heart of flesh for a heart of stone

o  fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians last Sunday)

§  evidence of a restored relationship with God

o  Zacchaeus’ declaration of a new life

§  prompting Jesus’ declaration to the crowd; “Today, salvation has come to this house...”

·      This is remarkably costly for Zacchaeus

·      Mae hwn yn costio llawer / drudfawr i Zacchaeus

o  but he doesn’t care – he has received a peace with God which is of infinitely more value than what he is to give back to people

·      Are we willing to accept Jesus every time we encounter Him?

o  can we keep coming back to that place of repentance?

·      Are we willing to be changed by Him, whatever the cost

o  do we see the value of what He has laid before us?