Listen to Jesus when He Speaks about Salvation [Luke 19:1-10]

Introduction

The bible is clear that Jesus is the way to salvation. And if we have to get it, we must listen to what He has to say.

KEY THOUGHT: Jesus desires that ALL men be saved

Acts 4:12 NASB95

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 1:15 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

Hebrews 5:8–9 NASB95

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

If you want salvation, you NEED Jesus. (He is our only option)

Salvation defined

Salvation is derived from the Greek term, soteria. It means:

To rescue from peril Col 1:13

To protect or preserve one from danger i.e. maintenance of safety 1 Cor 15:2

To restore to wholeness 2 Cor 5:17

If salvation is a rescue from danger, i.) What is the danger? - Sin, Death, and the Devil

ii.) What is the nature of this salvation? - Spiritual in nature

iii.) Who does the saving? - Jesus

Salvation Seen from the Sycamore tree

This text teaches a significant truth: salvation is on offer to all (vs. 10). However it demands that we make some adjustments.

All have a chance

All must obey

All will not respond

Luke writes from a Gentile perspective Col 4:10-11

The gospel for the outcasts: Gentiles (Luke 2:32), Moral outcasts (Luke 7:36-50), The poor (Luke 14:12-14; 16:19-31), Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), Leper (Luke 17:12), Women (Luke 10:38; 21:1-4), Social outcasts (Luke 19:2)

Zaccheus’ Description (vs. 1-3)

There were some things about him may have been a hindrance to him coming:

He was a tax collector - They were considered robbers, and ceremonially unclean. Some historians suggests that they were not even allowed to be part of religious activities.

Appl. Does this describe anyone today? Sometimes a person think they are so bad that Jesus can’t fix it. Paul said 1 Tim 1:12-13 this is who he was, but watch what God made him.

He did not fit in the crowd

Zaccheus’ Desire (vs. 3-5) - willingness to go

It’s one thing to realize where you are, but it is another thing altogether to want to do something about it. Luke 19:3 he was lit. ‘desire [zeteo] to put attention on’.

Appl. Do you have that desire to put your attention on Jesus? If not, what’s in the way? Notice there were instances in the account that may have been a hindrance to Zaccheus. (stature, crowd, his profession)

Zaccheus’ Dedication (vs. 6-8) - unwillingness to move

Now that his attention is on Jesus, we notice:

He receives Him “gladly” while the rest “grumbled” - Appl. Salvation may involve other people but it is about you and the Lord. Php 2:12; 2 Pet 1:10. It is personal and eternal. C.f. Luke 15:2; Jn 4:27 [Disciples]

He stopped histemi [stand still, to stop and count money, to propose a recommendation]

Shouldn’t a consideration be made? Luke 14:28-29

Salvation Adjustments

Zaccheus was willing to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that he made contact with Jesus.

How far are you willing to go to ensure you don’t turn down Jesus’ offer of Salvation?

Family?

Luke 14:26 NASB95

“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

Possessions?

Luke 18:18–23 NASB95

A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. “You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Tradition?

John 3:1–2 NASB95

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Will you:

Believe Jn 8:24

Repent Luke 13:3

Confess Matt 10:32

Be Baptized Mark 16:16