Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-10 - Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
The chief tax collector was a huge job. However, it was a job the local people hated. The Roman government would hire someone to go and collect taxes
The chief tax collector may have or probably had responsibility over others doing this job as well.
This position made money by taking advantage of local people.
examples. If you owed $500 in taxes, the tax collector could take $750 or even a $1000.
They made the difference of what they could get.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd.
What is one word to describe why Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus? Why would Zaccheus want to see this guy that was popular at the time for healings and being claimed as the son of God? Why?
Guilt. Curious guilt, if you will.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
This is the main part of this lesson. Why?
How long does it take to grow a 20 ft sycamore-fig tree? Anyone know? 15-20 years.
Do you believe God does things on purpose and for a reason?
Who planted this sycamore tree? Anyone know?
God did.
Who cared for and took care of that tree? Anyone know?
God did.
Why did God plant that tree and have it cared for?
So that Zaccheus would have salvation through Jesus.
If that tree wasn't there, would Zaccheus have been able to see Jesus that day?
God is doing something in your life. God is doing a lot of things in your life today so that you will see Jesus.
God is doing things on purpose in your life so that you will see the God who sent Jesus to die on a cross for you. And yes, you matter. You are enough.
One Tree- One Salvation
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
What is your salvation story?
God has done something in your life many years ago, and it led to where you are today.
Saul to Paul
Lady at the well.
Mary and Martha
Lazarus -
That can lead really well into Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Romans 8:28 states that God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
