Transformed

Transformed Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Repentance; Salvation; Zacchaeus; Faith / Luke 19:1-10 Introduction Crossfit transformations are a big reason why people are drawn in to join, participate and begin their own physical crossfit journey. The stark difference between the before and after and the obvious transformation is unable to be hidden and the results are jaw dropping. The dramatic transformations are contagious and inspiring. Usually we see someone with the transformation results we want and we look at what they did - because conventional wisdom says if you do what they did you will have what they have. This works well - until you come to differences - anatomical, genetical, gender, etc. These are the things that throw people off their game and be stuck where they are physically. The road map of someone else's transformation doesn't give any clues what to do if you have differences from them. • Metabolic • Muscular makeup • Hormonal • Gender How do you overcome things which you cannot control or change? The answer is you have to adapt and find what your body responds to - this is the hard part and the trial and error that leaves many stuck in their fitness goals and their desire for transformation Spiritual crossfitness has many similarities as well. The transformation is just as dramatic and inspiring. We have seen many times in Luke the crowd astonished and amazed to the point of glorifying and praising God. We have before us this morning an example of a dramatic transformation as Zacchaeus becomes crossfit. If you desire to be crossfit and see the dramatic transformation in your life we have a blue print in front of us - a road map of how to experience being transformed. I know what you are thinking though - but how do you overcome things which you cannot control or change? This transformation process is much easier and everyone can be transformed in the same way - so lets see what being transformed requires. Luke 19:1-3 CSB 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. Luke 19:4-6 CSB 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house." 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. Luke 19:7-8 CSB 7 All who saw it began to complain, "He's gone to stay with a sinful man." 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much." Luke 19:9-10 CSB 9 "Today salvation has come to this house," Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost." Requires No Excuses Luke 19:1-3 CSB 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. Luke 19:4-6 CSB 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house." 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through the town. There was a chief tax-collector there named Zacchaeus and as we read here he was very rich. Jericho was an important trading point, and would be a great place for tax collectors to set up shop. Zacchaeus was chief tax-collector which we can surmise was different from a regular tax collector in that a completely different word was used. Perhaps he had a tax collecting company? The way it worked with tax collectors is they would bid for the privilege to collect taxes in a region for the Roman Empire. The tax collector who won the privilege also had the right to make their living by charging whatever other amount on top that they could get. They would also accept bribes from the more wealthy in order to charge them less taxes than they should have paid. This day a man had come into Jericho with a crowd and we read the account here that Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was unable to, there was a large crowd and he was a short man. Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he.... Now a large crowd and a short stature makes it impossible for someone to clearly see someone else in the middle of the crowd. I dont think Zacchaeus's height was the only reason he couldnt see. Being a tax-collector - chief tax-collector I am sure he wasnt well liked and would have no favor shown him by the people. Zacchaeus had a physical limitation and a social limitation keeping him from being able to see Jesus. Zacchaeus had handicaps to being able to see Jesus - his height and his reputation. What are your handicaps? Perhaps not being raised in a Christian home, or perhaps never going to church, no christian influence. Perhaps yours is the opposite you were raised Christian and were in the church but got to experience the ugliness of church and now want nothing to do with Christ or His Christians. Yet others perhaps are handicapped by pride - upset at their situation and what they feel they deserve, or concerned with what people will say or think if you decide to follow Jesus and are transformed. The truth is we all have handicaps when it comes to seeing and following Jesus, handicaps that could prevent from being transformed because they provide convenient excuses. To be transformed requires no excuses. Verse 4 Zacchaeus couldn't see Jesus so - this word indicates that Zacchaeus instead of making excuses did something else. He could have turned away saying whats the point - but instead of excuses he had an idea! Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. He said on the gorund I am too short but in a tree I would see Him! In those days and in the eastern culture a man did not run - especially a wealthy man. Zacchaeus didnt mind doing something that many thought was beneath the dignity of a grown wealthy man by running ahead through the streets. Then he did something reminiscent of a child a little boy - he climbed up into the tree. Matthew 18:3 CSB 3 "Truly I tell you," he said, "unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Pride is a terrible handicap that will keep you from seeing Jesus. Zacchaeus ran and climbed forgetting anything about having pride or being prideful. The mother for a great preacher Harry Ironside - H.A. Ironside told him as a young boy, "Harry your friends may laugh you into hell, but they will never be able to laugh you out of hell." There will be a lot of "proud" people in hell because they couldnt see Jesus and find the transformation they desperately need. Jesus came to the place (verse 5) and he looked up and spoke to Zacchaeus. He called Zacchaeus to come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house. Jesus noticed Zacchaeus and Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name. In fact here is the truth Jesus knew all about Zacchaeus - who he was and all about his reputation and worse - all his sins - but He still called Zacchaeus down and wanted to stay at his house. When Jesus comes calling there is no excuse to not come. He knows you, your life, your heart and there is nothing that is hidden from Him. In fact notice that Zacchaeus never had to call down to Jesus - Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus who desired to see Jesus and He called him down. Jesus calls out to any who would hear and desires to be transformed. The only thing keeping you from answering the call to be transformed are excuses. Zacchaeus quickly came down because he had no excuses - Jesus was here calling and wanting to come to his house. I ask you if Jesus wanted to come over to your house - could he? Or would you have an excuse? You know when you arent giving excuses anymore? Thats when you will come quickly when called by Jesus. That's when you will see transformation in your life. Christian Standard Bible Chapter 9 I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go Requires Embracing Change Luke 19:6-8 CSB 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, "He's gone to stay with a sinful man." 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much." Zacchaeus not only came down quickly but he welcomed Jesus joyfully. Being transformed doesnt require effort on our part to do anything - it only requires embracing or receiving Jesus. We read that Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus joyfully. Zacchaeus was happy to receive Jesus - Jesus called Zacchaeus to Himself and it was to Jesus that Zacchaeus went - joyfully. Zacchaeus had a choice - he didnt have to come down, but had he not come down the opportunity to come to Jesus might have been lost. Being transformed requires embracing the opportunity for change when Jesus comes calling. Welcomed - receive in the same sense as Martha with the desire to be hospitable and to serve. The opportunity for change was here, and Zacchaeus wanted it - but the crowd didnt want to see change happen. They didnt believe in change - they grumbled and complained. Onomatopoetic word - like cooing doves, buzzing bees - murmuring and grumbling and complaining. What were they complaining about? Jesus is going to stay with a sinful man. Zacchaeus has three strikes against him • He worked for the Roman Empire • He was a tax-collector • He was dishonest cheat (only those who cheated got rich as tax-collectors) In the crowds eyes Zacchaeus was a sinner and transformation was not possible. How many times have we who have been in the presence of Jesus and seen the things Jesus has done (He just healed Bartimaeus of blindness) yet we think of someone as being unworthy or beyond transformation in Jesus. Luke 15:2 CSB 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." It is the religious who are the most judgment and would prevent others from being transformed. Zacchaeus embraced change watch what takes place. Zacchaeus stands there - unmoved by the crowds displeasure at Jesus going with him of all people. Zacchaeus said to the Lord - look I will give half of my possessions to the poor - Lord. He will give half of his possessions - that which he already owns not just the income that may or may not come in - but what he already possessed. Then he says if I have extorted anything from anyone I will pay back four times as much. He says if I have extorted - we read that as a cop out from admitting guilt but the translation should be since I have cheated I will pay back four times as much. He was confessing to what he had done and that he wants to make it right. When you are changed and transformed you embrace the change. Zacchaeus was transformed because he made these changes, he made these changes because he was transformed. In receiving and spending time with Jesus Zacchaeus knew he had to repent and live differently - he was transformed. You cannot be transformed and live the same way - remaining unchanged you must embrace the change. Exodus 22:1 CSB 1 "When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep. Exodus 22:4 CSB 4 If what was stolen-whether ox, donkey, or sheep-is actually found alive in his possession, he must repay double. The ill gotten gains and money and riches were not worth Jesus. No amount of anything is worth Jesus. A changed and transformed heart desires and seeks to make restitution. Requires Jesus Luke 19:9-10 CSB 9 "Today salvation has come to this house," Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost." Jesus states that today salvation has come to this house. The transformation you have seen in Zacchaeus comes from salvation. Salvation is the power of transformation - God transforms a sinner into a righteous man, and makes the lost found. As publicly as Zacchaeus repented and confessed Jesus declared him transformed. It must be stated that transformation didnt happen because Zacchaeus promised to do good, make restitution, or because he changed himself - it came because he was saved by Jesus. Transformation requires salvation and salvation requires Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus and in turn salvation came from Jesus to him. Jesus then says he too is a son of Abraham. Zacchaeus was so hated and it was common for Jews to cast out those who were despicable like a tax-collector - as not a "real" Jew. Jesus reaffirmed that Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham - both because he was a Jew genetically and by faith. Galatians 3:7 CSB 7 You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham's sons. Galatians 3:29 CSB 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise. Jesus then declares His mission as the Son of Man - seeking and saving the lost. Ezekiel 34:16 CSB 16 I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice. Matthew 9:13 CSB 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners." Luke 15:4 CSB 4 "What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? Conclusion Zacchaeus was the second person in Jericho to come to faith in Jesus and be transformed. Zacchaeus like Bartimaeus was considered an outcast and outside the Jewish system and society. Zacchaeus was different in that he wasnt a beggar rather was self-sufficient - but similar in that despite that he needed to be transformed - and that required • No excuses • Embracing the change • Jesus Zacchaeus is the example that with God it is possible for a rich man to be saved. It doesnt matter what you have done or what you are - there are no excuses transformation is possbile Notice that Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come to his house - He had to be received. "Christ will not force Himself into any man's house, and sit there against a man's will. That would not be the actions of a guest, but of an unwelcome intruder." Spurgeon. With Zacchaeus we see that transformation can come but change must be embraced. Transformation can come but it requires Jesus - for salvation is not found in any other name. Salvation did not come to Zacchaeus because of birth or natural descent - but because he exercised the same faith as Abraham did. We see the transformation in Zacchaeus no longer controlled by greed but motivated in love and desire to follow Jesus. His charity and restitution did not earn salvation - they were only effect and evidence of being transformed in salvation. Has there been a change within you - has Jesus changed your life? If Jesus hasnt made a difference in your life - are you still in the tree? It time to come down into the house - embrace the change Zacchaeus is the example that Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost - how many of us in Christ have been the crowd in verse 7? Who have we turned away as unworthy for transformation? Zacchaeus is a model for everyone of the transformation possible by simply receiving Jesus • Receive Jesus without excuse • Receive Jesus by humbling yourself • Receive Jesus no matter your sin or reputation • Receive Jesus as He calls your name • Receive Jesus without delaying • Receive Jesus into your life and your home • Receive Jesus joyfully right now Zacchaeus had a handicap preventing him from seeing Jesus - we all have a spiritual handicap Romans 3:23 CSB 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Isaiah 59:2 CSB 2 But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen. Do you want to be transformed, changed - given new life? Jesus came to seek and save the lost - He is looking for you - receive Him! Romans 10:9-10 CSB 9 If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Everyone in Christ has been transformed! 2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:50 PM February 20, 2021.