THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST

Passage: Luke 19:1-10

Key verse: 10

NIV

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho(A) and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig(B) tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.(C)

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.”(D)

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord,(E) “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything,(F) I will pay back four times the amount.”(G)

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.(H) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”(I)

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ESV

Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 (A)He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And (B)he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into (C)a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for (D)I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and (E)received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all (F)grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods (G)I give to the poor. And if I have (H)defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it (I)fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since (J)he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For (K)the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately' (1-6).

As Jesus passed through Jericho, Luke draws our attention to Zacchaeus. Although short, he had power, abusing his oppressed people to become a rich, chief tax collector. Wanting to see Jesus, he estimated Jesus' course, ran ahead, and climbed a sycamore-fig tree, scuffing up his nice clothes. This was more than casual interest; his soul longed for something only Jesus had. Jesus stopped and called to him: 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' Jesus' words knocked on the door of Zacchaeus' heart (Rev 3:2

). Zacchaeus gladly welcomed him.

2. 'Salvation has come to this house' (7-1

).

The crowds were offended by Jesus' choice of friends. Zacchaeus voluntarily decided to give away half his possessions and pay restitution to those he had taken advantage of. This was his repentance, moved by Jesus' love and acceptance. Jesus declared: 'Salvation has come to this house.' Was it because of Zacchaeus' charity? No. He shared the faith of his father Abraham: faith to obey God. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who seeks and saves me. Help me share his heart for the lost.

One Word: Jesus is knocking at your heart's door