A sinner came seeking

Luke 19:1–10 KJV 1900

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

today permit me to speak to you on the topic “A sinner came seeking”

today story speaks about a man who was seeking a different experince from what he is living.

the Bible tell us that Jesus was on the road to Jerusalem but before he venture to the city he had to pass through this historical and reminecient city called Jericho

archiologist tells us that jericho is an ancient city in the Jordan Valley, about 10 miles northeast of Jerusalem; conquered by Joshua and the Israelites.

now Jericho is Jesus’ last major stop before entering Jerusalem.

when we read the gospels it tells us that the place where Jesus pass through he always makes a difference in the lives of the people but this time rather than Jesus seeking a sinners. A sinner was seeking Jesus, the Bible didn't tell us how he knew that Jesus was passing through. maybe he heard about the fame of Christ, maybe the followers of Christ spoke about the great exploits of the messiah.

Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. The report of One who had borne Himself with kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide. In this chief of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life.... Now, hearing the words reported to have come from the Great Teacher, he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of God. Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart. Repentance, reformation of life, was possible,(Desire of Ages p.553)

(Desire of Ages p.553)

Now, hearing the words reported to have come from the Great Teacher, he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of God. Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart. Repentance, reformation of life, was possible,(Desire of Ages p.553)

but he planned his encounter with jesus to the “T” this man was very meticulous with his experience

listen to what Luke says in verse

Luke19:2-3

Luke 19:2–3 NIV

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.

Luke says that first is name, second his profession, his status and his objective.

a man like Zacchaeus in society was not a an acceptable person his profession made him enemy number 2 because of his profession. today in our world there are people who like Zacchaeus is socially repulsive their profession when mentioned will cause us to frown, but the Bible didn't just gave his name, his profession Luke says he was rich and seeking Jesus.

Today on the authority of the word i declare to you that money and profession does not bring happiness, security and hope. Zacchaeus realized that no matter the size of his bank account he was lacking something, he felt the great divide in his soul.

there are people who we pass by day by day, whom we work with, transit with are seeking for a better way of life, looking for peace for their souls.

“Yet the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he seemed. Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine influences”. Desire of Ages p.553

Desire of Ages p.553

listen to verse 3

Luke 19:3 NIV

He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.

Luke says he wanted to see Jesus, but had a problem but his physical height hindered him. Like Zacchaeus we want to see Jesus, we want to experience him but the more we try to reach him the more difficult things become, the more we reach out to Jesus the more our difficulties hinders us but Zacchaeus was determined,

church when we are determined... things will happen,

when we are determine ...our obstacles will become possibilities

when we are determine... what people think and say will not be an hindrance but a stepping stone to glorify christ.

verse 3 says ....he recognised that he had a problem and rather than been defeated by his physical circumstance Luke says he improvised. There are times when we are seeking Jesus and the devil will through all sorts of distractions , he will even use self to cause us to miss the blessing. but Zacchaeus was determined.He was so determined that if he had to climb up a tree just to see Jesus. that was a sacrifice he had to make. listen to Luke 19:5-6

he recognised that he had a problem and rather than been defeated by his physical circumstance Luke says he improvised. There are times when we are seeking Jesus and the devil will trough all sorts of distractions , he will even use our self to cause us to miss the blessing. but Zacchaeus was determined that if he had to climb up a tree just to see Jesus. that was a sacrifice he had to make. listen to luke 19:5-6

Luke 19:5–6 NIV

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.

luke 19: 5-6

Today, like Zacchaeus, do you have a heart that will look beyond what you see, beyond what seems wrong, what seems unfair so that Jesus glory can be displayed. sometimes we are blinded by what we see in front of us and when we focus on the wrongs and and attitude of the wrong do’er we are slowly transforming ourselves into discouraged hearts. but Zacchaeus didn't allow the crowd and his physical caused him to give up hope of experiencing Christ,

but Jesus looked up in the same tree and said come down i must stay at your house today.

i just could imagine how he must have felt hearing Jesus speaking to him and having a desire of dwelling at his house. Today jesus is saying i want to dwell in your house, it doesn't matter where you are, how far you have gone, your pass experiences, for the bible declares behold i stand at the door and knock, Jesus is knocking at your door, saying today i must stay at your house, i want to come in and dine with you.

then in verse 7

Luke 19:7 KJV 1900

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

Luke 19:7

i would think that people who knew Zacchaeus would be happy to see Jesus at his house but rather they started criticizing.

today i want you to know that not ever body who live in your community are seeking your advancement and not not ever

body who speaks well of your really love you.

those who murmured cant see how the Holy Spirit is working in your life, they cannot see the inward transformation that God’s grace is doing in your heart

so listen to verse 8

Luke 19:8 NIV

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.”

this was the confession christ visited him for to receive his confession of wrong to show the people of Jericho that you may have looked down on him because of his profession but if you confess your sins Jesus is faith to forgive and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

many confess with their mouths but fail to reform their ways

many confess wrong doing but fail to forsake their sins

the story of Zacchaeus is not just about a short man in a tree but about a man’s confession and repentance.

today what God seeks from his people is a heart that will confess and turn from sin.

today are you like Zacchaeus?

because Jesus is here to enter your heart

why not open up your heart today as we sing hymn #289

today is it your desire to open your heart to Jesus Christ why not stand as we sing together.

Refrain

Time after time He has waited before,And now He is waiting againTo see if you’re willing to open the door:O how He wants to come in.

And now He is waiting again

To see if you’re willing to open the door:

O how He wants to come in.

If you’ll take one step towards the Savior, my friend, You’ll find His arms open wide; Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end, Within your heart He’ll abide.