AN Unlikely encounter

Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 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.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

The final story in the long account of Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem is meant to be a climax in the ministry of Jesus, and it brings out several notable features which Luke considered important. It is a supreme example of the universality of the gospel offer to tax-collectors and sinners, with Jesus taking the initiative and inviting himself to the house of Zacchaeus.

In doing so Jesus was certainly responding to the interest shown in him by Zacchaeus, but the decisive action, contrary to all that would be expected at the time, stemmed from Jesus.

Surprisingly to many, the Gospel is for all people and is available to all to receive it. Many today are like the on looking crowd that offered criticism and grumbled when Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus house. Yet Jesus saw Zacchaeus and recognized his need for salvation.

Jesus affirms that, tax-collector though he is, Zacchaeus is entitled to salvation, for he too is a Jew, a member of the people to whom salvation was promised by God in the coming of the Messiah. But salvation comes even to Jews only when Jesus goes after them and brings them home.

Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully! Chairo glad, with joy. We forget that Joy of the Lord is our strength!

The Phillipian writer said Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Even in the worst of time we should have joy

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Isaiah said it this way,

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

When the Lord comes to your house there should be joy!

As a matter fact there should be at least two things Joy and Change!

So the narrative concludes with the great declaration of the task of the Son of man as a shepherd, which may fittingly be regarded as the epitome of the message of this Gospel.

Jesus has gone to the home of a sinner but its her we see the redemptive ability of meeting Jesus. Its in verse 8 we see. 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. He goes from a despised defrauding tax collector to a repented giving benefactor. He goes from stealing to sharing. He can say like all who came in contact with Jesus can say I know I been changed! What we failed to realize is salvation is not just being saved. When Jesus said salvation has come to your house he speaks of a word soteria which means deliver. Our encounter which Jesus should not only produce salvation it should produce deliverance!

Zacchaeus for his part responds with joy, and also by promising to use his wealth, honestly and ill-gotten, to help the poor and to make restitution for his former evil habits; in this way the meaning of discipleship, especially in regard to wealth, is clearly expressed. He understand what he has received and how to make restitution. He said I will retore (apodidomi) meaning pay back. “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.

We haven’t learned how to restore yet. We are supposed to repay. David referred to this scripture when challenged by Nathan about his own sin not knowing Nathan was talking about him. David said, in 2 Samuel 12:6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

That means our thinking should change, our habits should change. During the annual session the senior choir of sang a song about Jesus changed my mind. Well at first I was trying to get with the song. After listening a minute I got it. When deliverance comes the things I use to do I don’t do anymore. Zacchaeus was ready to lead a totally different life. I am starting to believe some folks don’t want people to find Jesus because the benefit too much from them while the caught in their sin. That’s a warning sign to all of us. If a person is comfortable with you in your sin they are likely benefiting from your sinful life. Think about it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

So the narrative concludes with the great declaration of the task of the Son of man as a shepherd, which may fittingly be regarded as the epitome of the message of this Gospel.

Jesus has gone to the home of a sinner but its her we see the redemptive ability of meeting Jesus. Its in verse 8 we see. 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. He goes from a despised defrauding tax collector to a repented giving benefactor. He goes from stealing to sharing. He can say like all who came in contact with Jesus can say I know I been changed! What we failed to realize is salvation is not just being saved. When Jesus said salvation has come to your house he speaks of a word soteria which means deliver. Our encounter which Jesus should not only produce salvation it should produce deliverance!

That means our thinking should change, our habits should change. During the annual session the senior choir of sang a song about Jesus changed my mind. Well at first I was trying to get with the song. After listening a minute I got it. When deliverance comes the things I use to do I don’t do anymore. Zacchaeus was ready to lead a totally different life. I am starting to believe some folks don’t want people to find Jesus because the benefit too much from them while the caught in their sin. That’s a warning sign to all of us. If a person is comfortable with you in your sin they are likely benefiting from your sinful life. Think about it.

The Phillipian writer said Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Even in the worst of time we should have joy

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Isaiah said it this way,

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

As a matter fact there should be at least two things Joy and Change!

So the narrative concludes with the great declaration of the task of the Son of man as a shepherd, which may fittingly be regarded as the epitome of the message of this Gospel.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.