(08-07-31) Zacchaeus (extended) - Ezekiel 11.17-20; Romans 5.1-11; Luke 19.1-10
Zacchaeus –
Ezekiel 11:17-20; Romans 5:1-11; Luke 19:1-10
· One of the most well-known stories of Jesus
o comic image of a short man up a tree
o the murmuring about Jesus socialising with the wrong people
o the ‘baddie’ tax-collector turned good
o the dramatic change in Zacchaeus’ present and future
· Often the most important things are put simply
o 2 points to say about the story
· Salvation comes to Zacchaeus when he accepts Jesus
o what causes Zacchaeus’ curiosity?
§ conscience – is he aware of his wrongdoing?
§ greed – what can this man do for me?
§ inquisitiveness – who is this man?
o either way, he encounters Jesus
§ and accepts his request
§ the turning point for Zacchaeus
· Harbourmaster voucher
o not much good on the mantlepiece
o actually go, actually order food
o Jesus causes a change
§ what is said in Zacchaeus’ house is unknown, but Zacchaeus’ comes to a place of repentance
o Zacchaeus discovered ‘peace with God’
§ as Paul speaks of in Romans
§ righteousness = right relationship
· Salvation leads to a changed life
o repentance begins with a change of heart, but becomes a change of action, lifestyle
§ for Zacchaeus, the specifics were obvious (money)
§ may well have been the same for us
o Ezekiel – a heart of flesh for a heart of stone
§ an undivided heart
§ “follow my decrees...” (v20)
o fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians last week)
§ evidence of a restored relationship with God
o Zacchaeus’ declaration of a new life
§ prompting Jesus’ declaration to the crowd; “Today, salvation has come to this house...”
· This is remarkably costly for Zacchaeus
o but he doesn’t care – he has received a peace with God which is of infinitely more value than what he is to give back to people
· Was that it for Zacchaeus?
o having given the money back, did he start taking it again?
o were the other imperfections in his life suddenly acceptable?
§ received reconciliation (Romans v11)
§ restored relationship
· wherein lies the value
o not the lack of a guilty conscience
o nor pie in the sky when you die – heaven
o nor a good, strong moral code
o nor someone to take your shopping list to
· live in that relationship with God the creator
o changed lifestyle – for Zacchaeus, for us
· Are we willing to...
o accept Jesus every time we encounter Him?
§ can we keep coming back to that place of repentance?
o continue to be changed by Him, whatever the cost?
§ do we see the value of what He has laid before us?