Has Jesus come to Your House

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke is retelling us a story about how Jesus sees salvation. Jesus wants to be Zacchaeus friend and come to his home. Jesus wants to bring salvation to his home by including him back into the House of God.

Historical/Cultural Background of Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus is in trouble because he is both wealthy and a sinner ,caterogised by his own Jewish people, labeled a Roman sympathizer. He is rich but culturally an outcast, he is a ruler,a leader but socially distant from his people, In his world the Romans have given him power and privilage that his own people did not share. What is your status? are you wealthy? Are you popular? Are you a little bit different?

What determines your status with God? Are you in God’s Kingdom?

Faced with Obstacles - Are you determined to Know God

Zachaes had numerous obstacles in getting to know the person of Jesus. He didn’t have the social standing among the people to warrant an audience with a Rabbi. He didn’t have physical abilty, he wot noticeable. Jesus sees you

Seeking and Seeing- Did you look for Jesus? or did he come looking for you!

We understand that Zacchaeus was seeking out Jesus. But who is seeking who here. Jesus claims that he was really seeking out Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But Jesus saw Zachaeus, Jesus sees you, your life, what your up to and what your saying, it’s all out in the open for Jesus, you might be able to convince people of your identity but there is no fooling Jesus.

Seeking and seeing are the two priorities that Jesus points out are prelude to salvation. The inability to see “blindness” the Kingdom of God” and Jesus as it’s ruler.

Lord! Lord! Who is really ruling our lives.

Zacchaeus has come to a major cross road, who is in charge of my way of life and my lifestyle?

Saving the lost - Will you be in the Kingdom Jesus has set up?

There are those that are not living in Jesus Kingdom which he so desperately wants to change. They have not found Jesus yet.

Jesus our friend - “I’m Staying at your house Zac”

The hospitality that Jesus was seeking was not a casual dinner but to forge a relationship with Zac that would result in another member of the Kingdom of God and a share in membership of God’s household.

Jesus I’m going to Change

The response to Jesus is a complete turn around of lifestyle and choices. I used to run my house like this, now I see that this is not what Jesus wants me to do.

What is it going to take for you too see the changes Jesus wants you to make?

Daniel 7:14 NIV

He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13 NIV

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.