09-08-2019 - Intentional Outreach

Zacchaeus (Aramaic version of the Name Zechariah which means “The Lord has Remembered...”

Zacchaeus itself flows from the word zakkay that means “pure” or “innocent”

Luke 19:1–10 NLT

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Zacchaeus was Intent on Seeing Jesus (The Onlooker, The Curious, The Gawker)

Look How A Man Becomes a Child - it was untypical of men, particularly the wealthy to run, but now, like a little boy he runs to see Jesus, and when he cannot see over the crowd, he acts like a boy and climbs the tree to witness the arrival of Jesus

In the previous chapter, Luke recorded of Jesus, “Whosever shall not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall in no way enter therein” (Luke 18:17)

Now, Zacchaeus puts Pride Aside and with Simplicity and Curiosity Seeks Jesus, But Who was really looking for Who?

Jesus was Intent on Sitting at the Table of Zacchaeus (That Notorious Sinner…)

We See Two Men Searching for Each Other - Each Demonstrates INTENT, But it is the Intentional Call of the Savior That Makes all the Difference in the Life of the Lost!

The Crowd Fails to See The Seeker’s Potential to Place his Faith in the Savior… Perhaps because they have missed the point of Who Jesus happens to be...

In Meeting and Accepting Jesus, Zacchaeus Demonstrates PRACTICAL REPENTANCE

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eighteen: Jerusalem at Last! (Luke 19)

Under the Mosaic Law, if a thief voluntarily confessed his crime, he had to restore what he took, add one fifth to it, and bring a trespass offering to the Lord (Lev. 6:1–7). If he stole something he could not restore, he had to repay fourfold (Ex. 22:1); and if he was caught with the goods, he had to repay double (Ex. 22:4). Zaccheus did not quibble over the terms of the Law; he offered to pay the highest price because his heart had truly been changed.

In Just a few moments,

The Man Who Acted Like a Giddy Child became a True Child of God

The Man Who Was Seeking Was Found by the Savior

The Man Who Was Small in Stature Became Larger than Life as He Found Spiritual Freedom

The Man Who was Rich, But Spiritually Poor, Became Spiritually Rich when He Accepted Jesus

The Man Who Was Condemned by the Crowd Became Approved by the Rock of Ages because of his Simple Faith

The Man Who was Host Became the Guest as He the Master of the House turned over control to the True Master, Jesus

Challenge: Luke Records the Words of Jesus, “For the Son of Man has come to Seek and to Save that which was lost...”

Since you and I are followers of Jesus, Disciples, Members of the Kingdom of God, Are we about the Same Business as our Master?