Jesus is…

Luke 19:1–10 ESV

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Series Introduction:

Road to the Cross

Luke 19-24 Journey together, with Jesus during his last days and the journey to the cross.

Prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday here at 10am (Breakfast before 9am) (Ascend Kids for Babies & Toddlers Room)

My prayer: We all make the decision to commit to Jesus because he is the one with authority over all things?

Here is how the next few weeks are going to Look…

Today: we will establish who Jesus is…

Next few weeks: we will see it knocked down (by the crowds, the religious leaders, political leaders)

This Morning: Who is Jesus?

Big Idea: Jesus is… The Guest of Sinners, the Savior of the Lost, the Son of God.

Background of Text

Luke 1:1–4 (ESV)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Written by Luke a Companion of Paul

Luke is a doctor.

Jesus Birth, Ministry, Teachings, death, and resurrection

Transition: to Luke 19

Zaccheus:

Familiar story.. we even have a song for it.

short man (but we make him out to be cute) this is far from how he is described.

wealthy Chief tax collector (Probably didn’t earn his position)

Jewish but serves the Roman Government (Hated by his own people)

Beyond Wealthy… and didn’t come about it honorably. .

Transition: So Jesus visit with Zaccheus is truly devine. Jesus Seeks him out. He intentionally looks up and calls out to Zaccheus.

1) The Guest of a Sinners

Luke 19:7 (ESV)

And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

The Crowd is excited to see Jesus until they learn he is excited to see Zacheus.

Jesus has crossed a line… He is befriending the sinner…

A Sinner =

In the Greek “a Guilty Wicked Person.”

Jesus Sees them all… the whole crowd is a bunch of sinners… just as our crowd is today.

Sins simplest definition is missing the mark… Living outside of Gods design for you.

and yet he enters his home and into a relationship with him…

This makes no sense to the crowd… Why would the messiah enter the home of an unworthy man?

Here is the truth:

none of us are worthy of Jesus entering our house, and we certainly are not worthy of entering his.

Ephesians 2:1 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

2. We can have a relationship with Jesus because he is simply that Loving, and good. it has nothing to do with us.

3. Jesus doesn’t want to just enter your home he wants to transform your reality.

‌4. Jesus sees you and Zaccheus (I mean all of you) he isn’t missing it…

Summary: What ever you think is holding you back it doesn’t have the power to prevent Jesus from saving you.

Transition: This is Jesus purpose for being here on earth… Jesus wants all people to let him in… This is a reflection of Gods love.

But when Jesus enters the home he is there for so much more than a visit or a meal… and this leads us to our second point.

2) The Savior of the Lost

Luke 19:9 (ESV)

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

WHO are the Lost?

Lost people are people who cannot find their way to God because of sin. They have lost their way, and they are lost to God. But the Father sent his Son to find them—not only to seek them but also to rescue them and bring them back safely home. - Thabiti

Apart from Jesus saving work this is our reality.

We are simply living life wandering… looking for (hope, purpose, wealthy)

Matthew 9:36 ESV

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

how is Zaccheus lost?

By many peoples standards he has it all.

He has put his value in things that do not matter (Money) (Power).

Many of us need to hear this..

How is Zacheus Found?

Luke 19:9 (ESV)

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Jesus ties his testimony in with Abraham.

Not because he is Jewish… which he is but for another reason (his faith)

Romans 4:3 ESV

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Hebrews 11:17 ESV

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,

Zaccheus is found because he place his faith in Jesus.

you have this same opportunity.

Transition: So Jesus is the guest of sinners. Jesus is the savior of the lost, but what gives him the authority to accomplish either of the above points. It is not simply desire or will, but rather the very person that he is which leads us to our last point.

3) Son of God

Luke 19:10 (ESV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

This is what establishes Jesus authority to make any claim, or provide anyform of saving.

1) What does it mean when it says Son of Man?

- A tie to both his Divinity and his humanity.

Adam = Son of man.

Jesus = Son of God.

God has come down in the flesh to save us…

Jesus has proven he is the son of God

Through performing Miracles

Through fufilment of OT prophesy

and will ultimately prove his authority over death, through conquering death on Easter morning.

The Son of God has come to :

Save us us from the sin that has a hold on us.

Provide us guidance so that we are no longer lost.

So what is your response?

Will you commit your life to follow Jesus

Will you let him in.

Will you follow him.

or will you deny him.. (there is no middle ground)