Seeing What Jesus Sees
Notes
Transcript
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.”
Have you ever heard of Scot Ginsburg? He holds a record with Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
Scott Ginsburg is known for something very strange. He has a "Hello my name is" tag for 8,921 days, starting in 2000. On one occasion he had given a speech to an employee group in South Dakota and told how he started wearing the name tag.
"On that day, I exited an on-campus seminar and noticed everyone throwing their name tags away. So, I decided to leave mine on, just as an experiment. And for ONE day, the response was so overwhelming positive, that I decided to leave my name tag on permanently!"
He made a career out of wearing a name tag and working with businesses across the country. Following the training session in South Dakota a young guy approached Scott and chuckled, “Dude, isn’t it crazy to think that your entire career came from something you saw in a trashcan?”
Scott writes: "I Never really thought of it like that. Which is kind of funny.
I guess some people look into a trashcan and see trash. While other people look into a trashcan and see opportunity. As he recounts this in his blog Scott asks his readers "What about you? When you look at the world...
Do you see garbage? Or do you see gold?
Do you see waste? Or do you see wealth?
Do you see junk? Or do you see joy?"
Adapted, https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/a-messages-for-the-ages-charles-wilkerson-sermon-on-discipleship-136802
(pause)
What do you see?
(pause)
Counting today, we have three Sundays and it will be Easter. We would like to have a special service this year on the evening of Good Friday. So, in these four services leading up to Easter, I would like us to take a “Walk with Jesus.”
(pause)
As we break into Luke’s gospel account today, we find Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the last time.
Luke records three specific instances in which Jesus predicted his suffering and death. In Luke 18:31 Jesus predicted his death for the final time.
The very next story Luke told was of Jesus healing a blind beggar as he approached Jericho. Now in our text, Jesus was passing through the city of Jericho.
Jericho, of course, was a city with a lot of history.
Jericho is on the west side of the Jordan River about 5 miles from the southernmost fords and about 10 miles northwest of the Dead Sea. Being in the broad part of the plain of the Jordan, it lies nearly 1000 feet below sea level and about 3500 feet below Jerusalem, which is a mere 14 miles away.
Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Jericho. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1119). Baker Book House.
This is why Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan talks about a man traveling down to Jericho from Jerusalem, even though Jericho was to the north.
Jericho, of course, was Israel’s first military conquest when conquering the land of Canaan. The city was razed and Joshua put a curse on the one who would rebuild it, which was fulfilled about 500 years later in 1 Kings 16:34 when Hiel rebuilt it at the cost of his two sons.
Interestingly, when Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C., the reigning king, Zedekiah, fled near to Jericho before he was caught by the Babylonians.
In Jesus’ time, the Jericho built by Herod was more than a mile to the south of the Old Testament site, which helps explain the gospel stories of blind men being healed by Jesus entering Jericho and leaving the city. Jesus was leaving the ancient site and approaching Herod’s city.
Now, as Jesus approached the newer site of Jericho, the whole city was abuzz with the news: Jesus, the miracle-working rabbi, who some called the Messiah, was here!
It must have seemed like everyone had turned out to see Jesus as he walked down the main street of town. In the midst of that teeming crowd was a man of short stature - a “wee little man” - Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus, but he could not. He was too short!
As we study our text today, let us consider what the different individuals and groups saw that day as Jesus paraded through town and asked this short man for supper.
(pause)
What did the crowds see?
What did the crowds see?
And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.
Can you picture the scene? Crowds of people have already lined the streets. Zacchaeus overheard the noise and asked someone what was going on. When he heard Jesus was in town, Zacchaeus rushed out to see if he could spot the famous rabbi.
(pause)
But all of the good seats and the good standing spots were taken already. Can you see Zacchaeus trying to shoulder his way through the crowd?
Can you see that big man as suddenly he feels a bump against his legs?
Can you see him glance around in surprise?
Can you see him frown with confusion when he doesn’t see anyone?
(pause)
Then… when he looks down, there is Zacchaeus! But this man doesn’t care for Zacchaeus. That cheating tax collector has stolen his money year after year.
So, he pretends he doesn’t see Zacchaeus. He just looks ahead intently and uses his broad shoulders and hips to lock ranks with the people on either side!
(pause)
See Zacchaeus as he threads his way through the crowd, trying to find another opening. But it seems like the people close ranks every time and he is frustrated over and over again.
(pause)
And he can hear… Jesus is really close now!
(pause)
Finally, Zacchaeus made a decision. He would stop trying to fight the crowd. He would run ahead, find a tree, climb it and maybe that way he could actually see Jesus!
(pause)
Most of the people must have been focused on trying to see Jesus, craining their necks to see what he looked like and what he was doing, straining their ears to hear what he was saying.
(pause)
But a few may have caught a glimpse of Zacchaeus in their peripheral vision as he began full out running down the street, looking for a climbing spot.
(pause)
What must they have thought?
(pause)
In Eastern culture, it was not proper for a man to run, especially a wealthy man like Zacchaeus. Rather, one would stride purposefully, confidently.
(pause)
But Zacchaeus ran. He was desperate. He had to find a way to see Jesus!
(pause)
Looking on, maybe some thought, “What a crazy man, always doing wierd things!” As one commentator noted, often it seems like the very rich pick up some odd ways and often act eccentricly.
(pause)
We’ve seen that even today, haven’t we? Some well known actors and actresses have done some really weird things. Famous, rich CEOs and even politicians also have done some strange things.
(pause)
Seriously, though, consider what the people saw … or didn’t see. It may only be implied, but apparently, many did not see Zacchaeus as he sought to see Jesus. If they did, apparently they didn’t care. Nobody seemed to help Zacchaeus in his quest.
(pause)
So Zacchaeus ran ahead of Jesus’ route, climbed a sycamore tree - a tree with long low-hanging branches - and waited for the Messiah to pass by.
(pause)
We’ll plan to talk more about what Jesus saw that day in a little bit, but as we have read, Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was, spoke to him and asked if he could eat supper with him that day. Zacchaeus hurriedly climbed down and rushed home joyfully to prepare a meal for Jesus and his disciples.
(pause)
But let us consider what another group saw that day in Jericho.
And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
What did the onlookers see?
What did the onlookers see?
Luke 19:2 describes Zacchaeus as “a chief tax collector [who] was rich.” The Roman Empire was incredibly crafty in that imposing taxes on the peoples they conquered, they would hire nationals to collect the taxes.
For the Jews, of course, who were God’s chosen people and for whom God was truly their king, even though they had appointed various men to rule over them in God’s stead, that their own people would collect taxes for what they saw as an illegal government was tantamount to treason!
Zacchaeus was not just one of the tax collectors; he was a chief tax collector! In other words, he was in charge of other tax collectors, receiving a commission from the taxes they collected.
It was assumed that tax collectors would charge a fee a bit more than the tax required by the Roman government. This was how they earned a living.
But… many tax collectors were known for charging outrageous fees, gouging the people, and adding greatly to the people’s misery as they lived enslaved to this pagan empire.
That Zacchaeus was rich suggested he had profited through unfair and illegal means.
(pause)
What did the onlookers to the dinner party see?
(pause)
They saw someone who was filthy rich. They saw a sinner of sinners. Is it no wonder that Luke 19:7 says they “grumbled”? This same verb was similar to the one describing the Israelites when they complained about being in the desert after the Exodus. (NIVAC, p. 479).
(pause)
It wasn’t right that Jesus be the guest of honor of such a sinful, wicked man!
(pause)
It wasn’t fair that Zacchaeus lived like a king in the midst of their misery!
(pause)
It didn’t make sense that the Messiah would hang out with such a lowlife!
(pause)
Did these onlookers wonder if Jesus was being corrupted by the world? Was he now seeking fame and fortune? Had Jesus compromised his principles to gain the favor of people?
(pause)
How could the Messiah, who was to deliver them from their enemies, hang out with their enemies?
(pause)
But as we continue to consider what the different characters of this story saw that day, let us now ask:
What did Zacchaeus see?
What did Zacchaeus see?
(pause)
At first, of course, Zacchaeus didn’t see much at all!
(pause)
As he sought to break through the crowd to catch a glimpse of Jesus, what Zacchaeus “saw” was not that inspiring!
(pause)
Can you picture him looking at the back of someone who towered several feet above him? Can you see him squeezing in through cracks between people, getting squished as the crowd swayed this way and that - and as people all around him failed to notice him?
(pause)
Then, once he found a perch in the sycamore tree, can you see Zacchaeus pulling the branches apart trying to see Jesus?
(pause)
Can you picture his surprise and amazement as Jesus suddenly navigated the low-hanging branches and spoke to this short man in the tree?
(pause)
Can you see the visions of what foods he would prepare for his guest racing through his mind as he raced home?
(pause)
Can you see his frantic rush to prepare his house for guests?
(pause)
As the guests and onlookers began to arrive, do you think Zacchaeus saw the anger, distrust, and frustration in the eyes of some?
(pause)
As Jesus entered his home, what must have Zacchaeus seen … and felt?
(pause)
Can you see the warm, inviting gaze of Jesus? Can you see the personal interest radiating from the Master’s eyes? Can you see his love? Can you see his hope for this man enslaved to sin?
(pause)
As Zacchaeus looked into the eyes of the Master, he found love, acceptance and forgiveness.
(pause)
But as Zacchaeus glanced away from the Master for a moment, his eyes must have landed on a painting or a vase that he had bought by inflating the taxes on some certain person in town.
As he looked at various other furnishings, he became more and more aware of how much of his life consisted of stolen things - stolen property, stolen wealth, stolen hopes and dreams.
(pause)
Our scripture indicates that Zacchaeus’ eyes were opened that day as they may never had been before.
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.”
One commentator writes:
Zacchaeus expresses his appreciation of Jesus’ acceptance of him by declaring his intent to be a different man. Because of his new relationship with God, he will do two things. Half of his possessions will now go to the poor, and those he has wronged will receive restitution at four times the amount taken. He is aware of his sin and desires to right the wrongs he has done. Both actions stand out in light of cultural expectations. If later Judaism is any guide, it was considered generous to give away twenty percent of one’s possessions. And the restitution Zacchaeus notes is better than the highest standard set by the law. (NIVAC, p. 479)
If you look to Leviticus 5:16 and Numbers 5:7, you find the Law required stolen property to be repaid with 20% interest.
This commentary continues:
He actually penalizes himself with the standard required of rustlers. (NIVAC, p. 479)
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
(pause)
Just this past Wednesday evening in our Bible study, the comment was made that you rarely hear much about restitution these days.
This is true, and it is sad.
(pause)
Restitution is an essential part of repentance. When we confess our sins to Jesus and choose to make a break with our sinful life, it is not enough merely to accept his forgiveness and live better from that point on.
We also should seek, as best as we are able, to make things right with people we have wronged. If we have stolen, we should repay. If we have lied, we should admit it and ask for forgiveness. If we have destroyed, we should restore.
Restitution may look different for various circumstances, but the principle is the same: we should seek to make it right with people we have wronged.
Restitution is an indication of our sorrow for sin and our change of character. Restitution is a good testimony of God’s saving grace.
(pause)
As we continue to consider what the different groups and individuals saw that day in Jericho, let us also ask:
What did Jesus see?
What did Jesus see?
(pause)
There’s something fascinating about Zacchaeus’ name.
(pause)
Zacchaeus means “pure” or … “the righteous one.”
(pause)
Can you picture Zacchaeus’ mother and father, just after he was born? Can you picture them taking up this little baby in their arms, staring lovingly into his brown eyes? As they looked at this little baby, they must have thought, “this is such a pure little baby. He is so precious!”
(pause)
But then Zacchaeus grew up.
We have no idea what his life was like growing up.
Was he a godly young man that became corrupted over time? Or, did he always fight against God?
(pause)
We might like to think that, because of his name, Zacchaeus grew up loving God. But somewhere, somehow, he decided making money, even money from the wicked Roman Empire, was better than suffering with God’s people.
(pause)
Then, as a tax collector, even if he started out with intentions of being fair and just in his taxation, he apparently was corrupted. And he was good at it! He became a chief tax collector!
(pause)
But we must also wonder if Zacchaeus struggled daily with the person he had become. Did he toss and turn in bed at night, grieving over the bad choices he had made in life, that changed him from being pure, “a righteous man” to a sinner?
(pause)
Now as Jesus walked the streets of Jericho, he suddenly spotted this short, little man perched in a tree. Surely, Jesus saw the longing in Zacchaeus’ eyes.
(pause)
Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus and invited himself over for supper.
(pause)
When he arrived at Zacchaeus’ home, surely this man’s wealth must have been the first impression Jesus saw. But as Jesus watched and looked, could he see the social isolation from his people that Zacchaeus endured?
(pause)
Who knows how much time Zacchaeus had to put his home in order? Did he have time to put away all the traces of his sinful life so his holy guest would not notice?
(pause)
Yet the all-knowing Son of God knew this man. As Jesus looked at Zacchaeus, he saw his sin, his past, his regrets, and his hopes.
(pause)
Jesus did not condemn this man for any sin. He apparently didn’t even bring up the subject. He simply loved him, forgave him his sin, and accepted him.
(pause)
So, when Zacchaeus spoke up to announce his plan of restitution, Jesus welcomed him home.
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
(pause)
In his book Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness, Jerry Cook writes:
“When love, acceptance and forgiveness prevail, the church becomes what Jesus was in the world: a center of love, designed for the healing of broken people, and a force for God… One of the greatest services a church can offer a community is to provide a place for people to be brought to wholeness – to be healed physically, spiritually and emotionally… People are fragmented. They are torn. Life doesn’t work for them because they are without Jesus... They need a place to be healed.” (Jerry Cook).
https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/love-acceptance-and-forgiveness-chris-jordan-sermon-on-christian-love-112368
Luke 19:10 contains key truth our scripture text.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
As we apply this scripture to our lives today, we should ask ourselves some hard questions.
(pause)
Do we, like the crowd, get so caught up with what is going on in life that we do not “see” those in need?
(pause)
Even worse, when we see them, do we turn a blind eye so that we don’t have to think about them or get involved in their messy lives?
(pause)
Let’s go deeper.
(pause)
Do we view those who are sinful with lenses of prejudice?
(pause)
Do we feel like any judgment they receive is warranted?
(pause)
Do we believe they will never change?
(pause)
Do we feel a little resentment, even bitterness and anger, when they experience God’s presence and blessing… even though they are dirty, rotten scoundrels?
(pause)
Do we see the lost?
(pause)
Do we seek the lost?
(pause)
Are we filled with Christ’s passion to save the lost?
(pause)
Big Idea: Can we see the lost Jesus is on mission to save?
Big Idea: Can we see the lost Jesus is on mission to save?
(pause)
As we consider the response God is calling us to make to His Word today, there are numerous ways we can and should respond.
Some may need to pray, asking for repentance of certain attitudes, behaviors, and even beliefs about the lost.
Some may need to pray asking God to open their eyes to see world that is lost and dying in sin.
Some may need to make a phone call, send a card, write a letter or email to a lost friend or relative.
If the Holy Spirit has already spoken to you about a certain response he wants you to make to His Word, I urge you to do so.
But I also would offer a challenge for the next week - a way to put God’s Word into action in your life:
I challenge you to commit to finding one “lost” person each day this next week and then in your journal - or maybe even in a Facebook post in our church group - sharing about the spiritual need you saw reflected by this person, maybe you interacted with them, or a prayer for this person.
(pause)
As you walk with Jesus day by day, do you see what Jesus sees?
