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Series Title: Final Approach
Sermon Title: A Wee Little Man
Sermon Scripture:
Key Point: “While in Jericho, Zacchaeus was transformed by Jesus’ presence.”

Something to think about:
As we close out our series today, entitled “Final Approach,” we come to a passage that occurs just days before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem where He will be arrested, convicted, beaten, and crucified. Upon entering Jericho, the crowds of the town are pressed in around Jesus. However, there happened to be a very short man in the crowd that day, and he struggled to get a good look at Jesus as He passed by. To get a better look, Zacchaeus – a tax collector – ran on ahead of the crowd, and climbed up in a nearby tree so he could see Jesus. To his surprise, Jesus noticed and called him down from the tree so that He could spend some time with Zacchaeus at his house. Let’s take a closer look at this story:

Zacchaeus was obviously known by the townspeople because he was despised by them for being a traitor in their eyes, but how is it that Jesus knew Zacchaeus? Surely Zacchaeus was in complete shock that Jesus called to him and invited Himself to be Zacchaeus’ guest that day. Whatever the case, Zacchaeus was so overtaken by the presence of Jesus that He was transformed by the Good Shepherd’s touch on his life. And this often seems to be the case with those who experience the presence of Christ.

Key Point: “Zacchaeus’ heart was transformed by Jesus’ presence.”

For a clearer understanding of Jesus’ transformative presence, we need to look at three different people in this narrative:

_____________________.

Luke 19: 1-4, 8 (NLT), Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. …
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

People of _____________________.

Luke 19:7 (NLT), But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

_____________________.

Luke 19:5, 9-10 (NLT), 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” …
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Something to take home:

If we are experiencing the Shepherd's touch daily in our lives, then we continue to learn of His transformative power just like Zacchaeus did. This means that we need to learn to practice the presence of Christ daily. If we are not willing to discipline ourselves to do this, then we end up following some other voice than the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Truly, Jesus longs to touch our day with His presence. He longs to call us down from the trees we find ourselves in. Jesus knocks on our doors with the intent of coming in and being our guest. He longs to share a meal together as friends.

Jesus, the Savior of the world, who was on His way to be crucified, made time for the overlooked and despised. He cared about them in ways that the rest of society didn’t. Jesus knew that they had something in them that others had missed, and He was willing to break from social protocol to seek and save those who were lost.

Who are you in this story? Are you Zacchaeus just trying to get a look at Jesus as He passes by, or are you the crowd who is displeased with Jesus and Zacchaeus because Jesus should have known better, and Zacchaeus was a scoundrel?

Key Point: “Zacchaeus’ heart was transformed by Jesus’ presence.”

Something to take home:

If we are experiencing the Shepherd's touch daily in our lives, then we continue to learn of His transformative power just like Zacchaeus did. This means that we need to learn to practice the presence of Christ daily. If we are not willing to discipline ourselves to do this, then we end up following some other voice than the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Truly, Jesus longs to touch our day with His presence. He longs to call us down from the trees we find ourselves in. Jesus knocks on our doors with the intent of coming in and being our guest. He longs to share a meal together as friends.

Jesus, the Savior of the world, who was on His way to be crucified, made time for the overlooked and despised. He cared about them in ways that the rest of society didn’t. Jesus knew that they had something in them that others had missed, and He was willing to break from social protocol to seek and save those who were lost.

Who are you in this story? Are you Zacchaeus just trying to get a look at Jesus as He passes by, or are you the crowd who is displeased with Jesus and Zacchaeus because Jesus should have known better, and Zacchaeus was a scoundrel?

Key Point: “Zacchaeus’ heart was transformed by Jesus’ presence.”

Read Luke 19:1-10.

As Jesus made his way through Jericho whom did He meet and where did He encounter this man?

Upon seeing Him up in a tree, what does Jesus say to Zacchaeus and what does Zacchaeus do?

Was Jesus being too forward or assuming to tell Zacchaeus that He “must be a guest” in his home that day?Why or why not?

How did the people in Jericho respond to Jesus spending time with Zacchaeus?Why did they respond this way?

Was Jesus concerned about the people’s displeasure and grumbling?Why or why not?

Did Jesus confront Zacchaeus about his sin?

What was Zacchaeus' response to Jesus’ visit?Is Jesus’ presence enough to bring people to repentance? Explain...

After seeing a change of heart in Zacchaeus, Jesus says something profound.What does He say (vv. 9-10)?

What does Jesus say about Zacchaeus?

Jesus longs to meet with you at your home today, have you welcomed Him in?If not, why not?

Have you lived like Zacchaeus and hurt others around you?Have you allowed Jesus to change your heart and be reconciled with others?

Take some time today and let Jesus into your “home.”Spend some time with Him and listen to His words of love speaking over you.

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