Sunday, May 29, 2016 Lesson: Luke 19:1-10; Time of Action: 30 A.D.; Place of Action: At Jericho Golden Text: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). I. INTRODUCTION. Jesus had previously told His disciples the story of a rich man who, instead of trusting Jesus, kept trusting in his riches and went away from Jesus sorrowful and lost. Jesus then told His disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. However, He also told them that what was impossible for man was possible for God (see Luke 18:25-27). This week s lesson reminds us of what God can do, and shows the joy and change in life God brings to those who trust Him. II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. This is a
continuation of Jesus teachings while on His way to Jerusalem for His final time (see Luke 13:22). He gave the parable of the ambitious wedding guest (see Luke 14:7-14), the parable of the great supper (see Luke 14:15-24), and three parables about the cost of discipleship (see Luke 14:28-35). Then, when surrounded by Pharisees, publicans and other sinners, Jesus gave the parables of the lost sheep (see Luke 15:3-7), the lost coin (see Luke 15:8-10) and the lost son (see Luke 15:11-32). Following the teachings on these parables, Jesus taught about the proper use of money with the parable of the unjust steward (see Luke 16:1-13). He rebuked greed and taught about divorce (see Luke 16:14-18), and then Jesus told the story of Lazarus and the rich man (see Luke 16:19-31). He continued His teaching by giving instructions regarding offending, forgiving and faith (see Luke 17:1-10) followed by the cleansing of the ten lepers (see Luke 17:11-19). Then Jesus foretold His second coming (see Luke 17:22-37). In chapter 18, Jesus gave His hearers two parables on prayer: persistent prayer (see Luke 18:1-8) and the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (see Luke 18:9-14) which taught that those who enter the kingdom are humble and repentant, like the despised tax collector, not arrogant and self-righteous like the Pharisee. Then some parents brought children to Jesus and He blessed them (see Luke 18:15-17), and then He had a conversation with a rich young ruler about eternal life (see Luke 18:18-27). After telling His disciples that there are rewards for those who sacrifice for Him (see Luke 18:28-30), Jesus foretold His death and resurrection (see Luke 18:31-34). Then as they approached Jericho, Jesus gave sight to blind Bartimaeus (see Luke 18:35-43). This is where our lesson begins.
III. A TAX COLLECTOR EAGER TO SEE JESUS (Luke 19:1-6) A. Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:1-2). 1. (vs. 1). Our first verse says And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and the cross when He came to Jericho that day. The ruins of what was Old Testament Jericho, was seventeen miles from Jerusalem. The New Testament city of Jericho, which is the place of our lesson, was a magnificent city constructed by King Herod and was situated a short distance south of the ruins of the old city. This was the place where Jews coming from Galilee would cross the Jordan River. From there it was a short seventeen miles up a steep incline to Jerusalem. Note: Luke writes that the healing of Bartimaeus, and another blind man (see Matthew 20:30; Mark 10:46-52) took place as Jesus was entering Jericho, but Matthew 20:29 says that the healing took place as He was leaving Jericho. There is no discrepancy here (see Mark 10:46). This can be explained when we understand that Matthew was referring to the old city of Jericho and Luke refers to the new city. 2. (vs. 2). This verse says And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. Here we are introduced to a man named Zacchaeus. The name
Zacchaeus comes from a Greek word for pure. Yet Zacchaeus was far from pure in Jewish eyes, because he was the chief among the publicans. This describes Zacchaeus as a powerful and influential public official who, as chief among the publicans was responsible for hiring other tax collectors and supervising them as they collected the various taxes in Jericho and the surrounding areas for the Roman government. Publicans were tax collectors. The concluding statement here about Zacchaeus was that he was rich. This was nothing unusual for a man in his position. Being a tax collector was practically a license to steal. They were given legal power to collect taxes on whatever they thought was the proper value of property or freight and set the tax rate. A man in Zacchaeus position was required by Rome to only submit a fixed portion of what was collected. Therefore, the opportunity for excessive corruption and great wealth lay in his office. Note: Like many other tax collectors, Zacchaeus wealth probably came by extortion. He had the Roman garrison to enforce his tax collections, and he was free to set the rate, so corruption was to be expected. The hatred Jews had for publicans was due not only to the natural hatred to paying taxes, but there were also other factors. First, publicans collected tolls and customs for Rome, a hated foreign power. While the Romans had regular imperial officials to collect direct taxes, they sold the privilege of collecting various tolls and customs to the highest bidders. A Jew who contracted to do this for the Roman government was considered a traitor. Many Jews believed that paying taxes to Rome was a sinful act, so a publican
was seen as an apostate, or non-believer in God, as well as a traitor. Second, since publicans contracted to pay Rome a fixed amount, they had to collect more than that to make their own business profitable. In many cases, they added exorbitant rates in order to enrich themselves. B. Zacchaeus up a tree (Luke 19:3-4). 1. (vs. 3). This verse goes on to say And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. We are told that Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but we are not told why. We can only speculate, but no doubt he had heard about the healing of the blind man earlier which caused crowds to grow (see Luke 18:35-43). In addition, maybe he had known or heard of Levi (Matthew) the former tax collector who had become one of Jesus disciples (see Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-28). Perhaps he had heard stories of changed lives from those who had encountered Jesus. Regardless of his reasons for wanting to see Jesus, God used His curiosity to prepare him for a personal encounter with the Lord. However, there was a problem. He couldn t see Jesus for the press, because he was little of stature. The word press refers to the crowd of people that pressed around Jesus hindering Zacchaeus from being able to work his way to the front. And of course, being a tax collector, no one was going to help him. The crowd may have been very large since many people
were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover (see Mark 14:1). To complicate things even more, he was little of stature meaning he was short in height. All he could see was the sea of bodies between him and Jesus. Although Zacchaeus was short in height, he was not short on ingenuity as we will see in the next verse. 2. (vs. 4). This verse says And he (Zacchaeus) ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. Filled with curiosity and desperation, Zacchaeus decided to take drastic measures. Disregarding how undignified and maybe even disgraceful it would appear to others who would see him, he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him. Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore-fig tree and waited on its wide branches for Jesus to walk by. He knew that Jesus was to pass that way so he was sure to get a good look. Note: What a sight it must have been! One of the richest and best known men in town, up in a tree! Zacchaeus sought Jesus, but what he didn t realize at that time was that Jesus was seeking Him. Here was a man intent on his purpose; he wasn t going to let any obstacle keep him from seeing Jesus. What a difference from some Christians today who won t even climb out of bed to see Jesus at work, much less climb a tree. All of this shows that something significant was stirring in Zacchaeus heart. Even at this point, we sense the working of the Holy Spirit (see John 6:44).
C. Zacchaeus out of the tree (Luke 19:5-6). 1. (vs. 5). This verse says And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. The phrase And when Jesus came to the place reveals that this was not a chance meeting, but was a divine appointment. Jesus knew exactly where and when this tax collector would be on this day. It all was planned by the Lord in order to bring salvation to this man. Looking up into the tree, Jesus saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down. Even though there is no record that Jesus had ever met this publican, He knew his name just like He knows ours. The words make haste indicate the urgency of the moment, and that Jesus was eager to spend time with him. Therefore, Jesus told Zacchaeus to hurry up and come down out of that tree for to day I must abide at thy house. Not only did Jesus take time to speak to this hated tax collector, but He also honored him by staying at his home. The word must refers to a divine necessity (see Matthew 16:21; John 4:4), and abide probably included staying for the night as well as having dinner with him. Note: Jesus invited Himself to dinner at the home of a man who was scorned by all respectable Jews. But just as Jesus had reached out to the poor, the lepers, and the blind, so now He reached out to the publican, a different kind of social outcast. Just imagine what it must ve meant to Zacchaeus to meet the One who actually knew him, wanted him, and loved him enough to want to spend time with him. Although Jesus mind was focused more intently on
going to Jerusalem and facing the cross (see Matthew 16:21; 21:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34), He didn t let that interfere with the needs of people along the way. Jesus stop at Zacchaeus house was as much a part of the divine plan as the cross. The fact that Jesus said I must abide at thy house clearly indicates that it was part of God s design. It was one of the things Jesus had to do before He went to the cross. 2. (vs. 6). This verse says And he (Zacchaeus) made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Zacchaeus response to Jesus command to come down out of the tree was immediate. We are told that he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. This shows Zacchaeus grateful and rapid response to the Lord s command. The word received translates a verb used for welcoming a guest into one s home. This tax collector welcomed Jesus into his home joyfully. He was overjoyed that this Jesus to whom everyone looked would enter his home and share his hospitality, even though he was despised by other Jews. Unfortunately, Christ s compassion was not understood by the crowds. Even today some people are surprised to know that Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (see Luke 5:32). IV. A TAX COLLECTOR REJOICING OVER MEETING
JESUS (Luke 19:7-10) A. Zacchaeus and Jesus are criticized (Luke 19:7). This verse goes on to say And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. The reaction from the crowd to Jesus decision to abide with Zacchaeus didn t reflect the same joy that Zacchaeus had shown. We are told that when they saw it, they all murmured. The word it refers to Jesus leaving with Zacchaeus. The phrase they all murmured in the Greek has the idea of a repeated or continuous action. In other words, they were murmuring or grumbling. The reason for the crowd s grumbling was because Jesus was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. It appears that many in the crowd felt that there were far better places for Jesus to stay than with a man who was a religious outcast, a sinner. Surely, He should ve known better! Maybe they were jealous because the Master didn t choose to stay with them. The grumblers considered the publican to be a sinner because he didn t adhere to Jewish traditions, and was one who got rich at the expense of his own countrymen through tax collections. Note: Those who were murmuring looked at Zacchaeus past and wrote him off as beyond hope. However, Jesus focused on Zacchaeus potential as a changed person with a future. The grumblers didn t realize that Zacchaeus, the sinner was no worse a sinner than they were, for all have sinned (see Romans 3:23). All people without Christ are spiritually bankrupt, separated from God and His blessings, and stand condemned in sin (see John 3:18, 36). No matter
how much good a person does, it seems that there are always some who are upset by it. In this case, having seen other encounters of the Lord with the scribes and Pharisees, we can assume that they were the ones who led the grumbling. Too often we want to separate ourselves from those who are lost thinking that association with them will compromise our convictions. No doubt there were some in that crowd who thought the same thing about Jesus visiting the tax collector. However, no one could accuse Jesus of compromising spiritual standards just by being in the company of a sinner. Jesus was able to minister to the needs of others without compromising His convictions and so should we. Complete separation from the unsaved will hinder the possibility and opportunity to witness. Yes, it is true that in our contact with the unsaved, there will be the temptation to do what they do. But we must be sure to maintain our biblical convictions. Jesus associated with sinners, but He didn t partake in their sins (see Hebrews 4:15) and neither should we. Remember, we are to be lights and salt to the world (see Matthew 5:13-16). B. Zacchaeus making things right (Luke 19:8). This verse says And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. What happens in this verse probably took place after Jesus and His disciples
reached Zacchaeus home. Since Jesus would be spending the night, there was plenty of time for questions and conversation. At some point after spending time with Jesus, Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. This hated and despised tax collector responded to his time with Jesus with a statement that demonstrated that he had indeed been changed by the Lord (see II Corinthians 5:17). Luke does not record the entire conversation, but there is enough here for us to recognize that Zacchaeus had been converted. Proof of his conversion is seen in that suddenly Zacchaeus stood up and voluntarily committed to taking two steps of action, both of which would benefit others. First, acknowledging faith in Jesus, he called Him Lord. This was also evidence of the change in Zacchaeus for the Scripture says that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost (see I Corinthians 12:3). Then Zacchaeus said the half of my goods I give to the poor. It appears that Zacchaeus had already started giving half of his goods to the poor, because he speaks in the present tense. Therefore, his statement could be translated as I am now giving half of my possessions to the poor (The Amplified Bible). No doubt, in his position as tax collector, he had played a part in making many people poor. Being convicted by the Saviour, if he wasn t already doing it, he committed to giving half of what he owned to the poor. This reveals the change taking place in Zacchaeus heart. It was unheard of for a tax collector to give away anything, especially half of what he owned. Second, Zacchaeus said and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold. He didn t say that he had not cheated anyone. In fact, the implication here is that he assumed that he may have cheated people. This statement could also read if I find that I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much (The Living Bible)! It was not hard for a publican to cheat people. Nothing was more common than for a tax collector to add a fictitious amount to the tax on property or income. But Zacchaeus willingness to make restitution for anything he had taken by false accusation meaning an overstated tax amount, was an outward demonstration of an inward change of mind. This is true repentance! Zacchaeus declared that to anyone he had cheated, he would restore him fourfold. The Law required that only the principle amount or what was taken plus 20% interest (see Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:6-7) had to be restored. But Zacchaeus placed upon himself a much more severe penalty that was equal to what was required for robbery (see Exodus 22:1). Instead of giving back only what he had taken plus 20%, Zacchaeus said that he was giving back four times what was taken. Note: Though faith is not explicitly mentioned in this context as it is in the previous account of the healing of blind Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus actions demonstrate that faith was present (see James 2:14-18) a theme that goes back to the preaching of John the Baptist (see Luke 3:8-14). What Zacchaeus committed to do reveals that repentance and conversion involve an outward and an inward change. Jesus had earlier spoken of counting the cost of discipleship (see Luke 14:28-33), so it s likely that He had counseled Zacchaeus to count the cost as well. Unfortunately, today, too often when the gospel is presented, it is a call to easy discipleship with
no mention of the costs to be counted. Zacchaeus understood the cost involved and was eager to pay the cost of becoming a follower of Christ by forsaking his sin greed, deception, and theft. Unlike the rich young ruler who Jesus told to sell everything he had and give to the poor and follow Him (see Luke 18:18-27), Zacchaeus was not told to sell everything. Wealth was not Zacchaeus god. His heart was in the right place when it came to his possessions. So Zacchaeus becomes an example of a rich disciple. C. Zacchaeus assured of salvation (Luke 19:9-10). 1. (vs. 9). This verse goes on to say And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. Jesus saw into the heart of Zacchaeus and knew that this tax collector now believed in Him. This is seen in Jesus words This day is salvation come to this house. Even though Zacchaeus words in verse 8 didn t include specific language confirming his belief and faith in Christ, the Lord s response here made it clear that an inner change had taken place in his heart. What Zacchaeus promised to do was the outward sign of the inward change that had occurred in his heart. This tax collector was not saved because of his act. He was saved because of his faith, which was shown by his act (see James 2:14-18). The result was salvation. Note: Biblical salvation requires three primary human responses: faith, repentance, and conversion. Faith is an assured
trust and confidence in Jesus Christ, believing that He is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do. Repentance involves a change of mind about one s spiritual condition and need for salvation. Conversion is the process of turning around: turning from self-righteousness and good works to accepting the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he changed his mind. That change of mind resulted in an outward change. The inward change was repentance, the outward change was conversion. Not only did Jesus say that Zacchaeus was saved, He also declared that since he was saved, Zacchaeus also is a son of Abraham. This tax collector had always been a Jew and a descendant of Abraham in a physical sense. However, Jesus was not using the expression a son of Abraham in that way. He was speaking as the Bible speaks (see Romans 4:11-17; Galatians 3:6-9) of Abraham as the father of those who truly believe in God. Those who truly believe in God are the spiritual children of Abraham. They belong to the same spiritual family, and they bear the same spiritual family resemblance. Abraham was justified by faith, and those who share his faith are his sons and daughters. Note: By identifying Zacchaeus as a son of Abraham Jesus was striking down the religious Jews proud boast of being sons of Abraham (see John 8:33, 39) by showing them that repentance and faith are the true marks of kinship with Abraham (see Galatians 3:29). Even though pious Jews often excommunicated publicans from Judaism, Jesus declared that this changed man was saved and therefore, a true son of Abraham (see Matthew 21:28-32). 2. (vs. 10). In our final verse, Jesus continued to
say For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus concluded His conversation with Zacchaeus by stating His purpose for coming to earth. He said For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. The whole purpose of Christ s coming was to do what He had done for Zacchaeus He had sought him out in the tree and had saved him from being lost. This episode in Jericho is an excellent example of Jesus fulfilling His purpose. Note: Jesus does what the nation of Israel had failed to do in the past, become a shepherd to lost sheep (see Ezek 34:2, 4, 16, 22-23). In order to find the lost, Jesus must seek the lost. In such cases, even the rich and rejected can be a part of the flock. Like Jesus, we all have one purpose, but many assignments. Jesus assignments included everything He did while ministering to others. His purpose was completely fulfilled when He gave His life as a ransom for many (see Mark 10:45) in order to seek and save the lost. So, what is the purpose of our lives? Do we know, and if we know, are we busy fulfilling that purpose? According to Scripture, God created us to please Him and bring Him glory (see Isaiah 43:4; Revelation 4:11). That is every believer s purpose, and it certainly includes growing in grace (II Peter 3:18), becoming like Christ, and witnessing for our Lord (see Mathew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
V. Conclusion. It has been said that happiness depends on circumstances, and joy depends on Jesus. Sometimes we face difficult and adverse circumstances in our lives, and we may not always be happy. However, we can always be joyful because joy depends on Jesus and He never changes. This week s lesson teaches that joy comes when we accept Christ by faith and walk with Him by faith. Zacchaeus, the tax collector was despised and hated by his fellow countrymen because of his deceitful practices. However, he was finally able to experience true joy when he obeyed the Lord s call. Even now God is divinely using curiosity and circumstances to bring men and women to joyous faith. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***