Sermon outline and notes: © Dr. Stephen Felker, Pastor ...

Sermon outline and notes:
© Dr. Stephen Felker, Pastor
Swift Creek Baptist Church.com, 18510 Branders Bridge Rd., Colonial Heights, VA 23834
11/3/2013

Luke 19:1-10 “The Little Man Who Became Big for God”

Intro. Verse 10 is a clear-cut statement of why Jesus left heaven and came into this world. He
did so to seek and to save the lost. That term "the lost" is an analogy. Many people are
spiritually lost. They are not on their way to heaven, but they are wondering aimlessly through
life. Jesus came to save them, and to show them the way to heaven. Our story today shows that
Jesus not only came to change our eternal destiny, but also to change our lives here and now.

The first nine verses of the chapter give us a real life illustration of someone whom
Jesus sought, found, and saved. Along the way, Jesus encountered all kinds of people, and He
saved all kinds of sinners. He met them in many places. Sometimes He met them along the
seashore. At other times He met them at the dinner table. Here’s one He met who was up a
tree—a man named Zacchaeus who is evidently one of the last people Jesus saved before He
went to the cross.

The setting of this story is Jericho. Jericho was deep in the Jordan valley, 853 feet
below sea level! Thus, it has a mild climate even during winter. It was “a little paradise,” with
its palm trees, balsam trees, and rose gardens. Some of the streets were lined with sycamore
trees. In Jesus’ day it was like a resort area. Many people spent their vacations there. Herod
the Great and his son Archelaus had made it even more beautiful, for they built a grand winter
palace there.

All the boys and girls who have been in Sunday School or in choir know Zacchaeus.
They have a little song they sing about Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus is the man we are going to talk
about today. You are going to find this passage to be interesting and very helpful to you.

There are 3 scenes in this story. First of all, we see:

I. A LOST MAN LOOKING FOR JESUS

I call him a lost man because that is what Jesus called people like him in v.10.
Zacchaeus was a man who needed to know Christ as his Savior. Spiritually, he had strayed far
from God, & His moral law. Now let's see what else our text says about him as we consider:

A. His Description - Zacchaeus was a notable man. First of all, he was a:
1. Chief Tax Collector – That is what Luke says in v.2. Probably as a young

adult Zacchaeus decided to betray his nation and collect taxes for the Roman Empire. That a
man should be in such a position indicated that he cared more for money than for patriotism,
religion, or popular approval. There are some trades which condemn, to a certain extent, the
men who engage in them. Zacchaeus had chosen such a trade.

All of us come to some point of decision, don’t we? At some point you either decide
you are going to be good or bad, pure or impure. You decide whether or not you are going to
do right or wrong in your life. Some have chosen a life of crime. Some have chosen to live a
self-centered life. I made the decision to follow Christ and serve Him by the time I turned 18. I
have never regretted that decision. Have you made the right decision?

Not only was he a tax collector, but he was a chief tax collector. This is the only place
in the New Testament where a “chief tax-collector” is mentioned. Evidently He had several
sub-contractors or tax collectors under him. He had been placed at the head of the entire tax
district of Jericho and vicinity, one of the three main Palestinian tax offices. The other two were
located at Caesarea and Capernaum. This Zacchaeus was important man! However,
“publicans” were regarded as traitors and crooks by the Jews.

Notice something else about Zacchaeus:
2. Rich – That’s what the last of v.2 says.1 I explained last week why tax

collectors often became wealthy. They got to keep everything that they collected over and
above their bid to Rome (cf. 3:12-13). For example, if he had agreed to send in a million in
taxes from his district, he could collect two million, make a million in profit! Taxes were
enforced by Roman soldiers who were stationed there. He was also rich because of the
abundance of revenue available. One of the things for which Jericho was famous was the balm
derived from the balsam tree. The trade in this commodity and in other commodities abounded
in the Jericho region, & yielded high taxes for the Roman government. Besides, Jericho was at
the heart and center of a vast trade route network at the southern end of the fertile Jordan
Valley.

So we see how Luke describes him. Next, notice:

B. His Desire – Luke says in v.3, “And he sought to see who Jesus was….” Zacchaeus
wants to see Jesus. Now what sparked his desire? Certainly curiosity played a big part. It
seems likely that he heard about the healing of the blind beggar that took place right before His
arrival in Jericho (18:35-43). As the large crowd that surrounded Jesus arrived, perhaps he was
thinking, “Why the big crowd? Who is this Jesus of Nazareth they are following? What am I
missing?” No doubt he had heard of the other miracles Jesus had performed.

But isn’t it likely that there was more going on in his heart than just curiosity? Don’t
you think there was a spiritual hunger in his heart? He knew he was a sinner. Guilt gnawed
away at his soul. Perhaps he had heard that Jesus had a soft place in His heart for sinners?
Perhaps he started yearning for something better than his wealth could give him? He found out
that all the wealth in the world would not satisfy his heart. He wondered if Jesus could make a
difference in his life.

Are you interested in Jesus? Do you have any desire to know who Jesus is and what He
can do for your life? I wonder if there are any here that came to church out of curiosity, or
came just to be with your friends, and who all the while have, lying deep below that, another
reason altogether, a dim feeling that it is not all right between them and God, and that here may
be the place to have it made right? At any event, regardless of his imperfect motives, little
Zacchaeus got more than he went for.

There’s something I like about Zacchaeus. He not only had a desire to see Jesus, but we
also see in our text:

C. His Determination – Zacchaeus was a short man according to the last of v.3. He was
probably at least a head shorter than the average man. So even though Zacchaeus wanted to see
Jesus, he could not because one crowd was surrounding Him as He traveled, and others in the

1 In light of his occupation, there was something unusual about his name. The name Zacchaeus means “righteous
one or pure one,” but this tax collector was not living up to his name. Certainly the Jewish religious community
would not have considered him righteous.

city had already gathered along both sides of the street. Since he was so short, he couldn’t get
around them or see over them, even when he stood on his tip toes! So notice what v.4 says, “So
he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that
way.” In the East, it is unusual for a man to run, especially a wealthy government official; yet
Zacchaeus ran down the street like a little boy following a parade. And then, though he was an
important government official, he even climbed a tree! Children are more likely to do
something like that than adults.

When I was a boy I loved to climb apple trees at my grandmother's house. I would
sometimes get an upset stomach after eating green apples. On another occasion I climbed a tree
in the woods near my house that was just about 6-8 inches wide. Most of the limbs had come
off. I should have had more sense than to climb a dead tree. I got about 12 feet high when I
heard a cracking sound. That tree started falling down with me holding on for dear life! I landed
on my back with that tree on top of me. It's a wonder I survived my childhood!

At any rate, Zacchaeus evidently climbed into one of those sycamore trees that grew by
the roadside. It was actually a fruit tree that bore something like wild figs.2 Some of the limbs
would extend from the trunk close to the ground, allowing even a short man to easily climb it.
So he got up the tree and settled down on a limb among the leaves. He thought he was secluded
there, and he had a private box seat for the parade.

Now how many of us adults would have done what Zacchaeus did? He did not let pride
keep him from Jesus. So Zacchaeus sets an example to us in another way. Don’t be too
concerned about your dignity and pride in pursuing aims that you know to be good. What he
did could have brought jeers and grins on the faces of the crowd to see the rich tax collector
sitting up among the leaves. But he did not mind about that if he got a good look at the Rabbi
when He passed. I wish there were more of us who did not mind being laughed at if only what
we did helped us to see Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid of ridicule. It is not a test of truth. If
you need Jesus, and the forgiveness that He offers, don’t worry about what others think. Come
forward today, receive Him as Savior, and follow Him in baptism.

So the first scene in the story is that of a lost man seeking for Jesus. Next we see:

II. JESUS SEEKING A LOST MAN

It is especially significant to note that although Zacchaeus was certainly very eager to
see Jesus, it was Jesus, not the chief tax collector, who took the initiative in arranging a
personal contact between the two. Though Zacchaeus was a renegade in the eyes of the Jews,
he was a precious lost sinner in the eyes of Jesus. Zacchaeus thought he was seeking Jesus
(v.3), but Jesus was seeking him (v.10)! By nature, the lost sinner does not seek the Savior
(Rom. 3:11), so God must have been working in his heart to cause him to seek Jesus.

So notice with me how Jesus demonstrated he was seeking Zacchaeus:

A. Jesus Called Him – Luke says in v.5, “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked
up and saw him and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus….’” If Zacchaeus wanted to watch Jesus but
remain hidden from view, then he was momentarily disappointed, for our Lord knew he was
there. Hebrews 4:13 says, “All things are open and naked unto the eyes of him before whom
we have to do.” Jesus sees you. Jesus knows exactly where you are. You can’t hide from Him.

2 From συκον, fig, and μορον, mulberry. Amos 7:14 says, “I was a … tender of sycamore fruit” (συκαμινα-LXX).

Perhaps he was a bit surprised that Jesus knew his name. There is no sign that anybody
had told Christ his name, or anything about Zacchaeus. But the same eye that saw Nathanael
under the fig-tree saw Zacchaeus in the sycamore; and He knew the names of both without
being told. Perhaps it was the first time since he had been a child that he had heard his name
pronounced in tones of kindness. Zacchaeus was found by the eye of love, and surprised by
words of kindness, which touched his heart and increased his interest in Jesus all the more.

My friend, Jesus knows you by name as well. His promises are as directly meant for
each of us as if they were in an envelope with our names upon them and put into our hands.
Many times the Bible says, “Whosoever will, let him come.” Say to yourself, “That is me.”
Jesus said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Say to
yourself, “That is me.” Did you know the Lord knows you by name? You are so very special
to Him that our Lord Jesus knows exactly who you are and He calls you by name.

There is another important application. Jesus called out to someone who showed an
interest in Him. He knew where His Father was at work. Even so we ought to look for
evidences of God’s work in people’s hearts, and reach out to them. Whenever possible, we
ought to call out to them by name.

B. Jesus Came to His Home – Now let’s see how this came to be. It all began with:
1. The Request of Jesus – Notice what Jesus said in the last of v.5, “Zacchaeus,

make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Don’t you know that request
surprised Zacchaeus? This is the only time in which we read that Jesus volunteered to go into
any house without first being asked. Then, note, further, how here we get the revelation, in a
concrete form, of Christ’s perfect willingness and desire to dwell with the most degraded and
outcast. Our Lord did not stop at the mayor’s house; He did not stop at the home of leading
religious leader; He did not stop at the home of any prominent person. He was going home
with a tax collector for Rome!

2. The Response of Zacchaeus – We see this in v.6, “So he made haste and
came down, and received Him joyfully.” Never had Zacchaeus descended from a tree more
quickly than now, and never with greater joy. You can be sure of this: He came down faster
than he went up! Note that Jesus says, “Make haste, and come down.” People are in a hurry to
do a lot of things that don’t really count, and so slow to come down to the Lord Jesus. But
Zacchaeus made haste to come to Jesus! If you need Jesus today, I hope that you will not delay
another day!

Do you realize that this event probably took place as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem
to die on the cross? He would never pass that way again. This could have been Zacchaeus’ last
chance to see Jesus; and that, if he had not made haste, he would have lost Christ forever.

And so it is still today. There may be some in this place at this moment to whom Jesus
Christ is now making His last appeal. I know not; no man knows. So I say, because some of
you may never hear Christ’s Gospel again, do not let Jesus pass by today without receiving Him
as Savior. Sometimes we may sing the invitation hymn, “Pass me not, O gentle Savior. Hear
my humble cry. While on others thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” Jesus is passing through
this place today. Accept Him as your Savior while you may!

3. The Reaction of the Crowd – Notice what Luke reports in v.7, “But when
they saw it, they all complained, saying, ‘He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a
sinner.’” It is clear that “all” the people despise Zacchaeus. These people wanted Zacchaeus
just about as much as you would want garbage in your living room. So they are mumbling and

grumbling and complaining and gossiping. They’re saying, “Doesn’t He know He’s gone to eat
with a sinner?” Of course, Jesus knew that. But where could Jesus have eaten and not been
with a sinner? Romans 3:22-23 says, “For there is no difference; for all have sinned….” These
people were a bit self-righteous. The first step in getting saved is to acknowledge that you are a
sinner, & you need a Savior!

4. The Reason for Jesus’ Action - But Jesus didn’t care what Jericho thought.
The Lord knew very well that the huge crowd surrounding Him would be less than pleased by
these words. So a little later He explains His action. He says in v.10, “for the Son of Man has
come to seek and to save that which was lost.” His action was fully consistent with His purpose.
He went into the chief tax collector’s house, and braved the sneers of the crowd because His
mission was to seek & save the lost.

His example is our pattern. A Christian church which does not imitate its Master in its
willingness to associate itself with the degraded and the outcast has lost one of the truest signs
of being true followers of Christ. Christian people who are too proud of their righteousness to
go among the unclean and the degraded are a great deal more like Pharisees than Christians,
and have need to learn the first principles of the religion they profess, for where should the
physician go but to the sick, and where should Christ be found but in the house of a man like
Zacchaeus? How can the lost of this world be saved if we have nothing to do with them?

So going to Zacchaeus’ house sets the stage for the final scene:

III. JESUS SAVING A LOST MAN

We are not told what transpired from the time Jesus entered into his home, until
Zacchaeus spoke up in v.8. I suppose they enjoyed a meal.3 Perhaps Jesus asked Zacchaeus
how things were going. “Do you have peace in your heart? Are you really satisfied in your
soul?” I believe also that Jesus spoke the words of life to all gathered there. I believe that Jesus
assured His audience that God forgives, if we will only turn from our sin and believe in His
Son.4 So as a result of the presence & proclamation of Jesus, we read of the conversion of
Zacchaeus. Something happened to this man! A miracle took place! Zacchaeus became
convicted of his sin.5 He put his faith in Jesus & got up the nerve to stand up & give a
testimony of how his commitment to change his life. Verse 8 says, “Then Zacchaeus stood and
said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything
from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’” Jesus confirmed that this man was
converted by what He said in v.9, “Today salvation has come to this house….” That’s explicit.
Then he said in the last of v.9, “because he also is a son of Abraham.” That could mean that he
is a true son of Abraham, for he has saving faith like Abraham. Gal. 3:7 says, “Therefore know
that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

Now why did Jesus affirm that Zacchaeus was saved? Notice:

A. The Manifestations of a Changed Life - Because of his new relationship with Jesus,
his life would change. Though we are not saved by our works, true repentance & faith will

3 Note that he “stood,” which implies that he had been reclining at the table prior to saying these words.
4 However, some believe he quickly spoke these words in response to the complaint of the crowd that he was a
sinner. Yet it seems unlikely that a true conversion could take place without first hearing Jesus share the Gospel.
5 When he says, “if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation,” it is a condition of the first class (ει
and the aorist active indicative) that assumes it to be true (A.T. Robertson).

bring about changes in our lives. Zacchaeus showed his faith by his works. It is interesting to
see the changes Zacchaeus experienced that day:

1. He Became a Giver - He states that here and now [present tense] he is giving
half of his possessions to the poor. Instead of 10%, he would give 50%! He had been a taker,
now he’s a giver.

One of the greatest evidences that you are truly saved is that you become a giver instead
of a taker. God is a great Giver. Shouldn't His children be givers also? Are you saved today? If
you are not a giver, are you sure you are truly saved?

2. He Promised to Make Things Right - Here he probably is implying that he had
been robbing people by using false accusations to obtain more taxes than was due. Now he
says, “if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” It’s a good
sign you’ve been saved when you start making some restitution. Notice the zeal of Zacchaeus
in making restitution. The law (Lev. 6:1-5; Num. 5:7) required that in certain cases one-fifth of
the unjustly obtained amount had to be added when making restitution. In other cases double
restitution had to be made (Ex. 22:4, 7, 9). And then, if a person stole an animal that could not
be restored, he had to repay four or fivefold as a penalty, depending on the animal (Ex. 22:1).
Zacchaeus, however, has just now decided to restore not double but fourfold the amount
overcharged. Zacchaeus did not quibble over the terms of the Law; he offered to pay the
highest price because his heart had truly been changed.

Listen, if you have truly repented of your sins, you are going to make things right.
Perhaps you need to pay some of those bills you haven’t paid. If you’ve said some ugly words
to somebody, you should apologize and get in fellowship with them again. When you trusted in
Jesus as your Savior, did you make restitution for past wrongs? If not, were you truly saved?
Did you quit those bad, sinful habits? It is useless to talk about loving Jesus Christ and trusting
Him, unless these have made you break off your bad habits. Saving faith results in a changed
life.

B. The Explanation for His Changed Life - Now how can we explain such a
transformation in his life? He goes from being greedy to becoming a giver. I will tell you the
answer and it is found in Jesus Christ. One transforming agency is the love of Christ received
into the heart. The love of the Lord made a deep dint in his heart, and revolutionized his whole
nature. People had frowned on Zacchaeus, and it made him bitter. They had persecuted him;
and his only response was setting his teeth more firmly against them. But Jesus met him with
love. Romans 2:4 says “...the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” And now Zacchaeus
wants to become a follower of Jesus, and when you follow Jesus, you will experience a change
in your life.

Conclusion: Jesus is still seeking the lost and yearning to save them. Has He found you? Jesus
Christ is standing before each of us as truly as He did before Zacchaeus. Listen to what He said
in Revelation 3:20, “Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If any man open... I will enter.”
And just as Zacchaeus was saved the very day he encountered Jesus, even so you can be saved
this very day. Repent of your sins, resolve to make things right with your fellow man, trust in
Jesus as your Savior, & you will be saved, forgiven, & empowered to live a new life! May we
witness an amazing conversion this very day.

Sources: William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary: Luke (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978); H.
A. Ironside, Addresses on the Gospel of Luke (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1947); Alexander Maclaren,

Expositions of Holy Scripture, Vol. 9 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977 reprint); J. Vernon McGee, Thru
The Bible, Vol. 4 (Pasadena, CA: Thru The Bible Radio, 1983); Larry Pierce, Online Bible [Ver. 4:23] (Ontario:
onlinebible.net, 2012); Dr. Frank Pollard (notes from his sermon on this text broadcasted on The Baptist Hour);
Dr. Jerry Vines (notes from his sermon on this text dated 9/7/97); Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Courageous: Luke 14-
24 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989). Other sources listed in the footnotes. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture
quotations are from The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982).

ABOUT THESE SERMON NOTES

© Dr. Stephen Felker. These notes may be used and even shared for personal study or ministry, but not
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