Jesus and Zacchaeus

Monday Morning Moment / Key Takewaway:
“Jesus demands more than a change of words, but a change of life.”
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Sermon Handout

Scripture(s):
  • Luke 19:1-10
  • Romans 12:1-2
Sermon Series:
Speaker:
Will Robinson
Date:
02/12/2023

Luke 19:1 – 10 (ESV)

1He entered Jericho and was passing through.

2And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

3And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.

4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”

6So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

7And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

8And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

9And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

  • Faith and works are different, but they do work together

Zacchaeus would not have been justified simply by giving away his money. Nor would he have been justified by taking any other action. Those were outward signs of a changed heart. Scripture teaches that the motivations of our heart are what is important, not just our actions. Our works do not save us; only faith in God does that. (Eph. 2:8-9) But our good works are evidence of real faith.

  • Do whatever it takes to get to Jesus

Jewish men did not run because it seemed undignified, and they would never climb a tree because they would be exposed to those who passed beneath them. Such actions would be considered shameful and beneath a respectful member of the community. But when Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming, he ran ahead of the crowds and climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Him (Luke 19:4). He did what was necessary to get to God, regardless of what others thought.

Monday Morning Moment: “Jesus demands more than a change of words, but a change of life.”

Romans 12:1 – 2 (KJV)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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