Zacchaeus

1.       Jesus going through Jericho  (v1)

a.       Jesus already had a large following

b.      Jesus’ next stop would be in Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

c.       Jericho’s history – Joshua 6

2.       Zacchaeus (verse 2)

a.       a wee little man

b.      Was probably bullied a s a child

                                                               i.      a Tax Collector was power

                                                             ii.      He was a Chief or VIP Tax Collector

                                                            iii.      He was very successful as a Tax Collector and very wealthy

c.       Tax Collectors – Despised by all

                                                               i.      Had full backing of Roman government

                                                             ii.      Outcast of the Regular People (Socially)

                                                            iii.      Outcast of the Religious People

                                                           iv.      Looked down on by Romans

                                                             v.      Jesus had already chosen a Tax Collector for one of His disciples (Matthew)

3.       Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see

4.       Ran ahead of Jesus to look for a place to see

a.       climbed a tree  (industrious)

5.       Jesus saw him

a.       Hurry down

b.      I’m going to your house today

c.       Beyond Zacchaeus’ expectations

6.       Came down quickly/welcomed Jesus gladly

7.       The people were upset & complained

1.  But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times more.”[1]

9.       Jesus said

a.       Salvation has come to this house

b.      The Son of Man came to find lost and save them

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[1] The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. Nashville, TN. : Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005, S. Lk 19:8