The God who pursues
Notes
Transcript
Handout
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” 9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Is God an Object?
In the exceptional book, Run with Horses, Eugene Peterson pulls us out of our self-centered, utilitarian approach to God. He reminds us that it was God who first sought us before we ever became interested in God.
We think that God is an object about which we have questions. We are curious about God. We make inquiries about God. We read books about God. We get into late-night bull sessions about God. We drop into church from time to time to see what is going on with God. We indulge in an occasional sunset or symphony to cultivate a feeling of reverence for God.
But that is not the reality of our lives with God. Long before we ever got around to asking questions about God, God had been questioning us. Long before we got interested in the subject of God, God subjected us to the most intensive and searching knowledge. Before it ever crossed our minds that God might be important, God singled us out as important. Before we were formed in the womb, God knew us. We are known before we know.
Intro:
Intro:
He entered Jericho and was passing through.
This is Jesus last stop before he came to Jerusalem to be crucified. The Crowds are bursting at the seam. Jesus would have been known in Jericho because he would travel through Jericho to get to Galilee often.
The crowds stayed with Jesus to hear him preach and teach, but notice that always in the crowd there are those that are there to set him up. Inside the crowd there were true disciples, and false disciples.
I. Jesus sets up a divine appointment
I. Jesus sets up a divine appointment
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way.
As Jesus enters into Jericho Luke starts to talk about a man named Zaccheus. He gives two important facts about Zaccheus.
he was a Chief Tax Collector
Rome sold the rights to collect taxes to the highest bidder. Whoever won the bid was able to collect taxes in that area for Rome. They did not have an official salary, but Rome did not care what they collected for themselves over and above what Rome required. The Tax collectors would often intimidate and shakedown the Jewish citizen and enact taxes far above what Rome required, whatever they collected beyond what Rome required was theirs.
The second reason that the Jewish people hated them, besides just the extortion was because of the ethnicity of the tax collectors. These were Jewish people taking advantage of their own people by stealing from them and working for the Roman government which was enslaving them…..So you can see why the Jews hated Tax Collector’s and why they consider their career choice as bad as prostitution.
Zaccheus had another layer of strikes against him in the eyes of the Jews….He was a “Chief” tax collector. This means that he had other tax collector’s working underneath him. Many believe that Zaccheus controlled all the taxes collected form Jericho to Jerusalem….In modern times Zaccheus would be like the head of the “Gambino Crime Family” the boss of all bosses.
And Luke makes in clear in (v.2) “And he was Rich” Zaccheus was the man.
(v.3) Zaccheus has this internal desire to get a look at the “Master” he could not get a clean look at him because he was small.
-In v.4 out of desperation Zaccheus took off and ran to the front of the crowd, and climbed into a sycamore tree. Notice that his concerns was not so much that Jesus will see him, but that he would see Jesus(Zaccheus heart has already been convicting him about his career choice).
Rich prominent men do not run to anything, let alone climb up a tree. This would be beneath him as a man of distinction in that area.
On the surface it looks like Zacchaeus is pursing Jesus and he is:
Is Zacchaeus simply out of the curiosity of his own will pursuing Jesus or does his curiosity come from this deep spiritual longing that he probably could not explain?
Let’s take a look more deeply at the finer points of this story that culminates events from Chapter 18:
(v.9-14) Jesus tells a parable about two men who came to the Temple and pray one was a Pharisees and the other was a “Tax Collector” The Pharisees spent time in prayer lauding his yearly giving statement and praising God for not being like the Tax Collector. Notice the text says he “standing” proudly in the presence of God. But the “Tax Collector” stood afar off. Probably went to the outer court of the Gentiles a place in the temple meant specifically for Gentiles because they were considered unclean. This Tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven because he was so convicted of his sins. He was a truly broken man. “Now remember this is a parable” Jesus is telling this parable to address a specific issue which he names in (v.9) “He told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else”
(v.15-17) Jesus went from story to practical application. Folks were bringing their children to Jesus so he could lay hands on them but during this process the Disciples began to “Rebuke” the folks bringing these little infants. In Ancient Israel children were considered to be nuisances. They were to be seen but not heard. The Disciples are behaving according to prevailing culture. Jesus “Checks” them. You are not “blow off, nor be dismissive of anyone based on: Age, Gender, Race, or Social Economic Status, Disability!
(v.18-23) Jesus in the midst of ministry is approached by a Rich Young Ruler. This Young Ruler had cross all of T and Dotted all of I yet he was unwilling to lay aside his Idols and follow Jesus. Jesus is teaching now yall. It is showing you the Root cause of the Pharisees issues. The love money and power. They did not like Jesus because he was deconstructing the foundation of their rule. Money, Power and Respect.
(v.35-42) Notice Luke the Historian puts in the text “As he approached Jericho” Luke wants you to be aware that on his way to Jerusalem he must pass through Jericho. When Jesus came to the city gates a blind beggar meet him. The sick and in-firmed often lived outside of the city gates, as it was assumed their infirmity came on them because of their own sins or the sins of their parents. Blind & Leprous were considered to be uncleaned and cursed. The crowd tells the beggar Jesus is approaching. Sounds like he had some knowledge of who Jesus was and immediately begin to beg him for healing. He is addresses him in his messianic title “Jesus, Son of David” Jesus was a common name back then but this blind man wanted Jesus to know I am aware of who your people are and I know “you are in the lineage of David” and based on that lineage in the OT it tells us you will come to the spiritual and physical infirmities of your people. Jesus tells him “You faith has healed you”
In the previous Narrative a Rich man with eyes could not see Jesus, but in this current narrative a blind man without sight saw him clearly.
Now as you look at the sequence of these teaching moments and practical application does it not seem clear Jesus set this up.
Then he moves to the Zacchaeus when he gets inside the city walls of Jericho.
Application
Application
When a person is truly broken and desperate they will lose all decorum to seek what it is they are missing
As sinful creature who love darkness we need and external source to draw us into the exposing light of God.
Zacchaeus was in a shameful treacherous business of exploitation yet at some point his heart started to draw him toward the very one who would expose his sin.
Transition Statement
-In the midst of his climbing in the tree the Master sees him
II. Jesus Meets Zacchaeus
II. Jesus Meets Zacchaeus
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
In v.5 Zaccheus desperation meet Jesus providence.
What do I mean by this?
In Hebrews 11:6 it says:
6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
(Exe-v.5) “When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him”
(v.5) As Jesus flows through town and crowds follow him pressing against him out of all the people in the crowd Jesus sees this “little insignificant man” Who was hated by all.
Do you think this was by accident?
If your answer is “NO” then you are left with only one conclusion. Jesus planned the whole thing.
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
(v.5) This meeting in the trees was not by accident. Jesus saw Zacchaeus before Zacchaeus saw him. Before Jesus entered Jericho he saw Zacchaeus. Look at how Jesus address him. Jesus knew him by name and called him out of the tree. This had to blow Zacchaeus mind that Jesus was aware of who he was at the intimate level.
-That internal desperation that Zaccheus is experiencing is not from himself but from the spirit of God. Zaccheus had become rich by extorting his folks. Now all the sudden his heart is heavy his riches are no longer satisfying him, he is starting to reflect on his life, and he knows that if he does not change he will face the consequences of his behavior. The Apostle John tells us a little about the work of the Spirit.
8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:
(John 16:8) Every sincere apology ever given is always the work of the spirit. Even in the life of unbelievers. One cannot come to the knowledge of their own sin without the convicting work of the Spirit. Every person in this congregation that truly knows the Lord as Savior has been under the convicting work of the Spirit. Zacchaeus was saved in the same way we are. His heart is pounding with the guilt of his action. Rather than hide these action he sought a meeting with the Master.
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
(v.5) Jesus made a brash request….He said get out the tree, and get your house ready because I am coming over……Zaccheus had a choice:
Do I let him come? Or do I reject his offer to come?
It is the same choice that we are faced with today
Can Jesus come in our homes? Or are you going to leave Jesus outside in the cold?
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
(Exe-v.5) “When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
(v.5) Wonder why Jesus said it is necessary? There are a crowd of people who would love to have Jesus lodge with them for relaxation and refreshment
WE will answer this later
6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully.
(Exe-v.6) “So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully”
(EXE-v.6) Zaccheus made his choice: He hurried (still running) and received with Joy….This is symbolic of Salvation….Zaccheus response to Jesus request means that Zaccheus was willing to let Jesus to come into his home, and to see how he really lives, and to accept any rebuke from Jesus.
Imagine the scene. Jesus yes I am willing for you to come to my magnificent Home that was financed off the backs of poor people. To invite Jesus into your home is essentially asking him to take up residence with you, and to change anything about your house that displeases him.
7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
(v.7)Luke goes another direction for just a verse. This story is flowing so well and in the midst of the story he comments on a group of people “When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “he has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” We will call this group the “Playerhating Pharisees” The Pharisees had done a good job of indoctrinating the crowd on who are the enemies of the Jewish Nation. TAX COLLECTOR’S were tops on the list. The Pharisees spirit still lives on in every church on the globe.
They wanted to remind the people of this man career choice. Essentially saying that this man is not worthy of a second chance. Jesus do you know who he is??? Why Jesus would you stoop so low, and go into the house of a Crime Boss…Application: When you seek to make major changes in your life expect Playerhater. Do not get discouraged keep pressing on to the Master.
III. Jesus Saved Zacchaeus
III. Jesus Saved Zacchaeus
8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” 9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
In v.8 it says “Zaccheus stopped” in the midst of the trip to Zaccheus house he “caught himself” he was saying I got to confess some sin Jesus. There are some issues that need to be discussed.
-Being in the presence of Jesus helped Zaccheus to see himself more clearly.
-In v.8b he makes two statements of confession
a. Whatever I own “I am willing” to give half of my goods to the poor. He is essentially saying that he is willing to give up his idol(riches)….He was willing to do what the Rich young ruler was not willing to do
b. Notice how Luke put the story of Zaccheus right after the story of the Rich young ruler…What do you think that he was trying to communicate?
-You have two men:
a. One man a lawyer (Religious leader) and Rich…..he was supposed to know the OT law. Externally Righteous keep the Law from childhood up.
b. One man a crime boss and Rich…..All Zaccheus knows is deception, intimidation, and profit. If the poor could not afford their taxes, then Zaccheus would just take all there land, and they would become slaves until they could pay their debts.
-both of these men guilty of the same sin “Love of money” The religious man love money, and the crime boss love money. What was the difference? The rich young ruler was not willing to part with his money, and Zaccheus said I will give up for you Jesus.
b. If that was not enough he says “If I have defrauded anyone I will give back 4x as much”
1. Zaccheus willingness to make restitution was proof that his conversion was genuine. It was a fruit, not the condition of his salvation. The Law required a penalty of one-fifth as restitution for money acquired by fraud, so Zaccheus was doing more than was required. Zaccheus judged his own crime severely, acknowledging that he was as guilty as the lowest common robber. Since much of his wealth had probably been acquired fraudulently, this was a costly commitment. Essentially Zaccheus was willing to give all his wealth up and just keep enough to live off…..John Macarthur commentary.
-Zaccheus met Jesus as a lying, deceitful, thief, but left as a man broken willing to give up his wealth, for something greater
9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
(v.9) Jesus set the record straight. He said Today Salvation has come to this house. Zaccheus willingness to divest himself of his wealth proved that his heart had been changed.
You will remember earlier when I asked “Why was it necessary for Jesus to eat at the house of Zacchaeus? Take a look at (v.10)
10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
(v.10) Jesus finalizes this Narrative with the Thesis of the book of Luke…… “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This is why it was necessary to eat at Zacchaeus house because this is the type of person Jesus came to save.
-Our Lord did not primarily come to make friends, nor did he come primarily to make our life full of fun and excitement, but he came on a rescue mission. He came to rescue his people from darkness and bring us into the marvelous light. Zaccheus was one of those people. Despite what Zaccheus had done Jesus saved him and sent him into the opposite direction. On his way to hell, before he met the Master, but on his way to heaven afterwards.
The Lion and Its Prey
It is a Masai elder who tells the story. It comes from the book, Christianity Rediscovered, in which the Roman Catholic missionary, Vincent Donovan, shares his discoveries as he worked among Masai people in Tanzania, just south of Kenya. Donovan had been working among the various communities of the Masai for many months. It was difficult work, and at times, his faith faltered.
At one point, Donovan spoke with a Masai elder about the agony of belief and unbelief. In their conversation, the Masai elder pointed out that the word Donovan had been using in Swahili to convey the word “faith” was not a very good word in their language. The word they were using for “faith” meant literally, “to agree to.”
Donovan acknowledged that he knew the word was not a good one to translate the word “faith.” The Masai elder said that to believe like that was similar to a white hunter shooting an animal from a great distance. Only his eyes and his finger got into it. The Masai elder then said that for one to really believe is more like a lion going after its prey. The lion’s nose and ears sense the prey. He sniffs the air and locates it. Then he crouches, and slithers along the ground virtually invisible.
A lion thinks it becomes invisible as it stalks the prey. The lion gets into position, and when everything is optimum, the lion pounces. All the power of his body is involved and as the animal goes down, the lion envelopes it in his arms, pulls it to himself, and makes it a part of himself. This, said the elder, is the way one believes, making faith a part of oneself! Donovan nodded in complete agreement, almost overcome with the elder’s wisdom. But the elder was not done yet.
The old Masai became thoughtful. Then he said to Donovan: “We did not search you out, Padri. We did not even want you to come to us. You searched us out. You told us of the High God. You told us we must search for the High God. But we have not done this. Instead, the High God has searched us out and found us! All the time we think we are the lion. In the end, the lion is God!”
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