Jesus Knows Your Name (Elementary)

Opening

Good morning! I’m really glad to be here with you today.

Let me ask you a question.

Have you ever tried to see something but couldn’t?

Maybe it was a parade, a game, or something happening in a big crowd.

Sometimes the problem isn’t your eyes. Sometimes the problem is that something is in the way.

Let’s try something.

I’m going to hold something up for just a moment. If you can see it, raise your hand. (hold up something small)

Today, I want to tell you a true story from the Bible about a man who really wanted to see Jesus, but something was blocking him.

Meet Zacchaeus

Our story comes from the Bible, in the book of Luke. Listen to how the Bible introduces this man:

Luke 19:2 ESV

2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

Here are three important things about Zacchaeus:

Zacchaeus had an important job collecting money

People did not like him

He was not tall enough to see over the crowd

That’s all we need to know for now.

Zacchaeus had money.

Zacchaeus had power.

But something was still missing inside him

Have you ever carried a backpack that was too heavy? (Call up a volunteer, maybe Maddy)

Imagine Zacchaeus carrying a backpack.

Not full of books but full of: bad choices, people he hurt, and guilt.

From the outside, his life looked good. But on the inside, that backpack felt heavy.

Some people try to ignore the weight. Some people pretend it isn’t heavy. But Zacchaeus felt it every day. He didn’t know exactly what he needed but he knew he needed something more.

1.) Zacchaeus Had a Problem

One day, Zacchaeus heard exciting news:

“Jesus is coming!”

The Bible tells us:

Luke 19:3 ESV

And he was seeking to see who Jesus was,

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But the Bible also tells us the problem:

Luke 19:3 ESV

but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.

Something was in the way.

Ask for a volunteer (Aubrey) to come up and a couple tall teachers.

Have the teachers stand in front of the volunteer and have the volunteer try to see what’s in front of them and tell you what they can see. (back and shoulders).

Zacchaeus tried to move forward but no one moved.

So Zacchaeus had a choice.

He could:

give up

or find another way

And Zacchaeus decided not to give up.

Listen to what the Bible says he did:

Luke 19:4 ESV

4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Have you ever done something for the first time that felt scary?

Raising your hand

Trying a new food

Talking to someone new

Zacchaeus did something he’d never done before.

He climbed.

Because he knew something important: “I can’t stay where I am if I want to see Jesus.”

Let’s say that together: “I can’t stay where I am.”

Zacchaeus thinks he’s just watching Jesus. But he doesn’t know yet that Jesus is about to stop.

2.) Jesus Knows His Name

Now listen carefully to what happens next.

Luke 19:5 ESV

5 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.”

Let me ask you something.

How did Jesus know his name? Because Jesus knows people.

Let’s say this together: Jesus knows my name.

Jesus didn’t say:

“Fix your life first.”

“You’re too bad.”

“You’re not welcome.”

Jesus said: “Come down.”

And listen to Zacchaeus’ response:

Luke 19:6 ESV

6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

Zacchaeus didn’t wait. He didn’t argue. He came down with joy.

If a teacher calls your name, you listen. If a coach calls your name, you listen. When Jesus calls your name it matters even more.

3.) Zacchaeus Changed

Not everyone was happy. The Bible says:

Luke 19:7 ESV

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

But then something amazing happened.

Listen to what Zacchaeus said:

Luke 19:8 ESV

8 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.”

Did Jesus force him to say that? No.

Jesus changed Zacchaeus’ heart.

Before Jesus he: took money and hurt people.

After Jesus he: gave money, helped people.

When Jesus changes your heart, your choices change too.

That might look like:

Telling the truth

Saying “I’m sorry”

Being kind

Obeying even when no one is watching

4.) Why Jesus Came

Jesus explains everything with one sentence.

Luke 19:10 ESV

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

Ask: What does Lost mean?

Lost means: you need help. You can’t fix yourself. You need someone to find you

Have you ever lost something important?

Did you just say, “Oh well”?

No. You looked everywhere.

Jesus looks for people because people matter.

Let’s say this together: Jesus came for me.

Conclusion:

Zacchaeus climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus.

But here’s the most important part of the story:

Jesus didn’t just come to visit Zacchaeus. Jesus came to save him.

Zacchaeus thought he was just going to look at Jesus.

But Jesus came to:

Forgive his sins

Change his heart

Give him a brand-new life

Later in His life, Jesus would climb another tree. Not a tree with branches but a cross made of wood.

Jesus went to the cross to take the punishment for sin, Zacchaeus’ sin, your sin, my sin.

Jesus died. Rose again from the grave. And because of that, anyone who trusts Him can be forgiven and belong to God forever.

That’s the good news of the Bible.

Zacchaeus didn’t just believe in Jesus his life changed because of Jesus.

After Jesus came into his life:

Zacchaeus wanted to do what was right

Zacchaeus wanted to fix what he had broken

Zacchaeus wanted others to see Jesus through him

Here’s the question for you:

If Jesus lives in your heart, what should change in your life?

Maybe it’s:

how you talk to your parents

how you treat kids at school

telling the truth when it’s hard

being kind when no one is watching

You don’t obey Jesus to make Him love you. You obey Jesus because He already loves you.

Prayer

Let’s pray.

Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You came to find us. Thank You for dying on the cross and rising again so we can be forgiven. For those who already trust You, help us live changed lives that show Your love. For those who are still learning about You, help them know You are calling them. Thank You that You know our names and love us completely. Amen.