Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost

Lk 19:1-10 is the story of Zacchaeus, and how he came to Jesus. According to Lk 19:10 Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost”.  When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he knew that Zacchaeus was lost.  And he came to seek and save him.  

Zacchaeus had obstacles to faith

In Lk 19:2, Zacchaeus had a reputation, he was chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  These presented two very difficult obstacles to this man coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  

Zacchaeus had status.  And like the Pharisees in Jn 12:43, men with status love “the praise of men more than the praise of God”.

Zacchaeus was rich.  In Lk 18:25 we read that “it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”.  

What obstacles do you have?  Education, status, wealth, unbelief, religion, fear?

Yet, Zacchaeus made a move to see Jesus

In Lk 19:3-4, he couldn’t see him for two reasons: the press and his stature.  There were so many people around that this little man had to climb a tree to get a look at Jesus.

You know what?  You came to church today.  In a sense, you climbed a tree.  Here, you can get a look at Jesus, because we preach Jesus and him crucified.  Paul said to the Galatians to whom he preached, “before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you,” Gal 3:1.

Here’s what you need to see about Jesus, that you won’t see “in the press”.  He is God manifest in the flesh.  He created you.  But he didn’t make you the sinner you are.  

When he appeared, “the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,” Titus 3:4.  He has demonstrated his kindness toward you by all that he has done for you.  He has demonstrated his love for you by dying for you on the cross. 

Zacchaeus received an invitation from Jesus

In Lk 19:5, Jesus looked up and saw him.  Jesus is looking in here and sees you.  “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good”, Prov 15:3.

Jesus said, “”make haste”.  It’s true that “he that hasteth with his feet sinneth”, Prov 19:2.  However, there comes a time when delaying is no longer wise.  Jesus was passing through Jericho, v.1.  He wasn’t going to stick around.  We sing a hymn called Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour.

Jesus said, “Come down”.  We often ask people to come down to this altar if they want to get saved.  Coming down is a good thing because it demonstrates that you are sincere and that what other people might think doesn’t matter.  In v.7 people were murmuring.  What they thought didn’t matter to Jesus or Zacchaeus.

Jesus said, “to day I must abide at thy house”.  In 2 Cor 6:2, Paul wrote, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”.  This is the day that Jesus wants to take up residence in your life and abide with you.

Zacchaeus accepted Jesus’s proposal

In Lk 19:6, like Zacchaeus, you should make haste and come down to receive Jesus Christ to day.

Notice that Zacchaeus received him joyfully.  Receiving Jesus is one of the most joyful things you will ever do in your life.

Sometime people wonder whether people who believe are really sincere when they receive Jesus.  Paul said, that people should “repent, and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance”, Acts 26:20.  Zacchaeus did works meet for repentance in v.8 when he gave away half of his wealth and restored that which he had taken illegally.  

And when you believe it will be interesting to see what changes you will make in your life because Jesus now abides in your house.  He surely changed my life, and for the better.

Jesus came to seek and save you

Jesus is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  He sought you today and now he wants to save you.  Will you make haste, and come down, and receive him joyfully?