Sons of Abraham (Luke 19:1-10)

Introduction

Today I am going to share with you the sons of Abraham. The Zacchaeus story is very interesting because it affects each and every one of us here. W. E. Pilgrim wrote a book entitled “Good news to the Poor”. He quoted this passage and said that Zacchaeus is the par excellence example for Christians to follow. So surely all of you are willing to give away half what you have to the poor? If not then better pay attention or quickly put your hand to your wallet or purse. Guard it.

Ok. Let us be more serious and study this passage together.

Explain the passage

I.                    Jesus was passing through Jericho en route to Jerusalem to be crucified.

Jericho   

·         A strategic city 20 Km NE of Jerusalem along the Jordan rift.

·        It is an especially prosperous oasis city

·        Renowned for its balsam wood, fruits, figs and other agricultural produces.

·        It is also an important toll station leading to Arabia. Where tax collection in the city is considerable because of the trade.

II.               Zacchaeus

·        A chief tax collector, he have many tax collectors working for him to collect and extort from the Jews with the help of the Roman army. Like the mafia or the mafia learn from him.

·        Was very rich that is why it is stressed in the verse as wealthy.

·        So he gained his wealth unscrupulously.

·        He even defrauded his own people for money sake.

·        Obviously a Roman conspirator. The Romans are his source of power to make money.

·        The Jews hated him as a traitor.

·        Considered him as a sinner because he loves money more than God.

·        Socially and religiously ostracised by the Jews, an outcast of society.

III.           Why does Zacchaeus seek Jesus? That he took the trouble and time to find out which way Jesus is going and went ahead of him.

·        Possibility, he heard about Jesus’ teachings from the traveller and wanted to know more because it must have stirred his heart. What stirred his heart?

·        Before Jesus entered Jericho he taught the Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about  himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. Did you notice what Jesus said? The tax collector is justified.

·        After that Jesus preach another parable. The parable of the rich ruler and the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 

·         Those who heard asked, “Then who can be saved.”  Then Jesus answered what is impossible with human is possible with God.

·        So is it possible for Zacchaeus to enter the Kingdom of God?  When you are rich and old, you would like to go to heaven and not hell right? You tend to think about it more. So of course Zacchaeus is determine to seek Jesus to find out.

·        Being short and unable to see over the crowd, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. You do anything if you want know whether you can be saved or not.

IV.            Jesus seeks Zacchaeus.

·        Is it amazing that Jesus noticed Zacchaeus, knew him and called him.

·        Not only that Jesus accepted him as he is an outcast of society and he befriended him.

·        Instead of teaching the crowd, Jesus preferred Zacchaeus the outcast than the crowd by inviting Himself to his home. Said to Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay in your house today.

·        Zacchaeus is more than delighted. He was waiting for an opportunity to talk to Jesus. Get down at once and welcomed him gladly. His heart must be pumping very fast. He got the opportunity to whether he can be justified or not.

V.               At this the Crowd protested

·        Jesus gone to be a guest of a sinner. Enjoy the fellowship of a sinners and a Roman conspirator. Can you imagine the expression of the crowd?

VI.            Zacchaeus respond

·        Demonstrated genuine repentance and give generously to the poor.

·        Give half possession to the poor – rabbinic practice of alms giving is limited to 20% of your possession.

·        Four fold restitution - prominent in Roman law, rabbinic practice 20%.

·        Changed from the love of money to the love of God.

VII.        Jesus responds

·        Jesus pronounces salvation to the household of Zacchaeus. Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham.

·        Restoration of Zacchaeus to be the son of Abraham.

·        Then Jesus states his mission and purpose. That is he came to seek and to save the lost.

·        Do you know that Zacchaeus may loose the chance to be justified if Jesus did not seek him because Jesus is going to Jerusalem to be crucified and will not return this way.

Jesus as son of Abraham

·        Illustration 1 – Testimony on awareness and targeting of lost. Many years ago, a friend from Singapore asked me to help him to bless a branch office in KL for him. So he came and we bless the office together with his cousin from KL who was his partner. We worship and prayed all around his office. Then I invited them to church since he stayed on Sunday. They came early and I introduced them to the Pastor and took my friend to meet a common friend. Left his cousin with the Pastor. When we came back, I was stunted when the Pastor ask me to lead my friend’s cousin to say the sinner’s prayer. I thought he was a Christian. If we do not seek we will never know that the guy next to you is dying to want to be a Christian.

·   Illustration 3 – Less than a month ago on 26 April Weekend Herald publish an article on World Food Crisis. In the article it claims that 1 billion people live on $1.20 a day. Compared to the minimum wage of $12 an hour here.   $1.20 cannot even buy a cup of flat white but that is what they use to feed the whole family. I wonder how many mouthfuls will each have for the day. The point I am making here is that all of you are very rich compared to them, the same magnitude as Zacchaeus and the poor of his day.

·   We cannot buy salvation or pay for our sins to be cleansed but can be transformed to love God. As a response of gratitude for our salvation.

·   If you love God, you will please God.

·   Are you willing to be like Zacchaeus to give to the starving poor of 1 billion people? I would not be legalistic to ask you all to give 50% of what you have away to them. But think about it. Will you.

Conclusion

·        As I end today, if not for Jesus who came to seek and save the lost I would not be speaking to you today. He found me. Therefore I would like to challenge all of you here today that after Bible College you will give your whole life to Jesus to save the lost. I am not asking 50% of what you have but 100%. Yes your life is not yours but the Lords’. For your reward will be great in heaven.

Closing Prayer

·        Let us pray. Thank you Lord for your word. We are grateful for your work on the cross and thank you for your salvation. That you found each and every one of us here. Lord convicts us of our strongholds, our bondages especially of our possessions that we may use all what we have for the extension of your kingdom. Give us this heart and calling to seek and save the lost. Pray in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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