The Seeking Sinner

Text: Luke 19:1–10

Series: Encounters with Jesus

Theme: Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus reveals His mission to seek and save the lost.

Purpose: To show that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s saving grace and that true salvation produces visible change.

Introduction:

We often assume that people who have money, status, or success are not interested in spiritual things. But Luke’s Gospel repeatedly overturns our expectations. In Luke 19, we meet a man named Zacchaeus—a chief tax collector—who demonstrates that the gospel reaches into even the most unlikely lives.

This account is not a children’s story with a catchy tune. It is a deeply theological encounter that demonstrates the mission of Jesus in action: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Luke 19:1–10 NKJV

1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

As we walk through this text, we want to see what Luke is showing us about both the heart of Zacchaeus and the heart of Jesus. This encounter isn't just a moment in history—it's a living picture of the gospel. So let’s begin by looking closely at Zacchaeus himself: what kind of man he was, and what drove him to seek out Jesus that day.

I. The Man Who Sought to See Jesus (vv. 1–4)

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.” (vv. 1–2)

A. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector — a man of wealth and social scorn.

Tax collectors were viewed as traitors and extortioners, working for the Roman occupiers and profiting from their own people. As a “chief” tax collector, Zacchaeus likely managed other tax agents and benefited from their collections. His wealth had likely come through unjust means (cf. Luke 3:12–13). He was materially rich and spiritually bankrupt.

This mirrors Luke’s ongoing contrast between the rich and poor (Luke 6:24; 16:19–31), showing again that wealth is not a sign of righteousness.

B. He was seeking to see who Jesus was (v. 3).

Despite his position, Zacchaeus was drawn to Jesus. The verb “was seeking” (Greek: ἐζήτει) indicates ongoing effort. He didn’t just happen upon Jesus—he was intent on seeing Him. Whether out of curiosity, conviction, or desperation, the Spirit was already at work.

C. His small stature and the crowd were obstacles.

Zacchaeus couldn't see over the crowd, and no one would have let him through. The crowd despised him. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree—undignified behavior for a wealthy man in that culture.

This detail is not about shame or hiding. It is about determination. Zacchaeus overcame physical and social obstacles to see Jesus.

II. The Savior Who Sought the Sinner (vv. 5–7)

“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.’” (v. 5)

A. Jesus initiates the encounter.

Jesus stops, looks up, and calls Zacchaeus by name. There’s no indication they’ve met before. This is divine initiative. Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus, but Jesus was already seeking him.

Cf. John 10:3 – “He calls his own sheep by name.” Cf. Romans 3:11 – “No one seeks for God” apart from God’s drawing.

B. “I must stay at your house today” (δεῖ με – “it is necessary for me”)

This is the divine necessity language Luke often uses (cf. Luke 2:49; 4:43; 9:22). Jesus is not making a polite request—He is acting on divine purpose. This encounter is part of the mission.

C. The crowd responds with grumbling.

“He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” (v. 7) This echoes the Pharisees’ earlier criticism (Luke 5:30; 15:2). But Jesus has consistently prioritized reaching sinners, not affirming the self-righteous.

III. The Fruit of Salvation (vv. 8–10)

“Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor…’” (v. 8)

A. Zacchaeus responds with repentance and restitution.

The verbs are present tense, indicating intent going forward. This is not works-based salvation, but a visible response to grace. He gives half to the poor and offers fourfold restitution to anyone he’s defrauded, in line with Exodus 22:1 “1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.”

His actions go beyond the Law’s requirement—demonstrating a changed heart.

B. Jesus declares that salvation has come (v. 9).

Not because of Zacchaeus’ giving, but as confirmation of a heart transformed. He calls Zacchaeus a “son of Abraham”—not by ethnicity, but by faith (cf. Galatians 3:7 “7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

C. Jesus restates His mission (v. 10).

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This is the theological heart of the passage. Zacchaeus’ story illustrates what Jesus came to do. He pursues sinners, calls them by name, enters their lives, and brings salvation that bears fruit.

Conclusion:

Zacchaeus was a man corrupted by greed, alienated from his people, and viewed as irredeemable. But Jesus came to seek him and to save him. That same mission continues today.

We must never forget:

No one is beyond Jesus’ reach.

Salvation is by grace, but it always produces fruit.

The church must reflect Jesus’ heart—to seek the lost, not grumble when grace is extended to the unworthy.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking us when we were lost. Thank You for calling us by name and coming into our lives with grace and truth. Let our hearts rejoice in the salvation You bring, and let our lives bear fruit that brings glory to You. Amen.