why did zacchaeus want to see jesus

As a result, he raced ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus, who was on his way that way. His name means 'pure' and as the chief tax collector in a tree he portrayed Christ on the cross in the same manner as the serpent which was lifted up in the wilderness. They surely didn't want this type of man interrupting their chance to see Jesus and were likely frustrated. Zacchaeus had heard so much about the Messiah that he was impatient to have a glimpse of the man himself. In Luke 18, verse 32, Jesus declares that He will be handed over to the Gentiles, where He would be humiliated, insulted, and spat upon. The main point is that everybody who believes in Jesus Christ is a new creature in Christ. It is unambiguous indication that Zacchaeus was a new creation when he says, The half of my property I give to the needy. 4) This is the only salvation tale in the Gospels that involves a wealthy individual. I don't think Dr. Constable is necessarily wrong; but part of my asking the question was because I didn't find his commentary quite compelling. As a historical event narrated by Luke, the story lends itself to a straightforward analysis through appropriate use of critical methods. Zacchaeus must have been efficient, organized, and aggressive in his work. Luke 19:1-4 (NASB) Note to the teacher: Jesus was going through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, where the events of Holy Week would take place shortly after His arrival there. His love is a never-ending invitation to repent and come to him. Caterpillars are very hungry. Copyright / 1995, 1996, and 1998 by the International Bible Society / Used with permission of the International Bible Society-STL. As a bride of Christ figuratively, his actions of giving away his possessions and restoring what he had taken completes the picture since Christ and his bride are 'fruitful'. He is the greatest in the kingdom because he made himself least in this world. As soon Jesus entered his house Salvation had already come. This Zacchaeus was behaving very differently than the rich young ruler we talked about at the beginning of the lesson! The rich young ruler had approached Jesus early in Luke 18 and challenged him to sell all he owned and donate the earnings to those in need, which he did. All rights are retained around the world. Zacchaeus hurriedly descended the ladder and greeted him with delight. The fact that you are seeking Jesus will not go unnoticed since He is aware of your existence, what you are doing, and where you are located. Jesus notices Zacchaeus in the tree and calls him down to join him. He continued on to Jerusalem because He understood that His death was required in order for us human beings to be rescued. At Jesus' call to him, Zacchaeus promised to give half his money to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated. So many people followed Jesus wherever He went at this point in His ministry. We must not ignore these individuals because, after all, Jesus loves them and they are in desperate need of hearing the Gospel message. (NIV). Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as the Lord passed through town, but, because Zacchaeus was a short man, he could not see over the thronging crowd. Here, Jesus teaches us what had happened to Zacchaeus and his own purpose in coming. Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? But the people of Jericho were not happy with Jesus because they were not happy with Zacchaeus life. If the person receives you remain there as long as you are in that city. So again, I conclude, like I said earlier, Jesus believed that it was paramount in the heart of Zacchaeus to see Him, since Zacchaeus was willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant his pride, affluency, and reputation, just to get a glimpse of Him. In an instant, Peter brought Jesus attention back to the sacrifice that he and the other disciples had made. His father was a small child, and he was a small child as well. Under the Roman system, men bid on those positions, pledging to raise a certain amount of money. Did Zacchaeus say "I [already] give," or "I will give" half his possessions to the poor (Luke 19:8). As soon you invite Jesus into your heart you receive Salvation. God, on the other hand, had a personal interest in this guy and desired for him to be rescued. Jesus died to save all. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS? Nobody should surrender to any obstacle. Then who can be saved? they asked. In Luke 15:1-7 is the shepherd in the parable equated to the Pharisees and the scribes? It is even harder for the rich to enter Gods kingdom! (Luke 18:24-25), This worried the disciples. Zacchaeus came up with a brilliant idea at long last. His income was presumably high, but the work provided several possibilities for him to siphon off a portion of the profits for himself. The individuals who were there when all of this was taking on were alarmed at the prospect of Jesus staying in the home of a sinner like Zacchaeus. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. When we listen to the Shepherd calling us by name and respond to Him, our lives will be changed too! Your email address will not be published. That is what happened to Zacchaeus when he decided to repent and follow Jesus. It is probably more preferable to treat both presents as tendential, since an iterative would imply that Zacchaeus will periodically give away his ill-gotten gain. those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. He was despised and looked upon as the worst of sinners by most people. Jesus told him, "Quick, come down! It was inconceivable for the disciples to imagine the Messiah enduring pain and dying on the cross. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). P.O. Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version) A plastic caterpillar was used as a prop (or picture of a caterpillar). Is there such a thing as "right to be heard" by the authorities? Due of his attachment to money over his devotion to Jesus, the rich young ruler chose not to follow Jesus. It means seeking him with all your heart and doing everything he would have you do! Jesus singled him out and invited himself to Zacchaeus' house for dinner, much to the grumbles of the crowd. 7. Replying to His critics, He said that He, the Son of Man, had come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). His encounter with Jesus changed his life. Were all Abrahams seed (Galatians 3:27-29). On Judgment Day, wealth or social status on earth will save nobody. So for these reasons tax collectors were not very popular people in their communities. He could have used the crowd and his short stature as an excuse for not seeing Jesus but he didnt because he was determined to see Jesus. Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.. According to the Roman system, men competed for certain jobs by promising to raise a specific quantity of money. All the people saw this. When Jesus saw the picture of his own destiny in Zaccheus, he invited himself to dinner to finish the picture, since when he came off the cross, he went to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Salvation had come to that house because Zaccheus had exercised saving The majority of the time, those who are affluent are less likely to become disciples of someone who is impoverished and despised, as was Jesus, 5) Zacchaeus was unaware that when Jesus passed through Jericho, it was our Lords final journey to Jerusalem. Was the generation that grumbled & rebelled merely refused entry into the Promised Land, or did they also lose their salvation? Nervous. He was most likely a lonely man, and his only companions would have been wicked or corrupt individuals like himself. That includes Pharisees. Tax collectors worked for the Romans, the occupying force and the enemy. The reason Jesus came was to assume responsibility for the moral and spiritual flaws of the world and, via His crucifixion, to be punished as a result of those shortcomings. Do not keep moving from house to house.. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus saw him, and out of all the people in the crowd, wanted to stay/remain (greek - meno - abide, continue, lasting, live) with him in his house. (Luke 19:5) For Zacchus to receive Jesus into his house How did the crowd react to Jesus' request of Zacchus? cedarministryintl@yahoo.com Zacchaeus cannot see Jesus because he is too short, both physically and morally, and so the crowds impede his sight. Many, many Jews from Galilee were passing through Jericho that day on their way to observe Passover in Jerusalem. be an irrelevant remark unless we recognize that the principal tension Luke doesn't tell us why; perhaps Zacchaeus had heard that Jesus was not like other rabbis and that one of his closest disciples was actually a tax collector. Onesimus changed (Philemon 10-16). He was, on the other hand, a short man. Everybody needs Jesus whatever is his social and financial status. But he can't see above the crowds or get through them. 2. Has your life changed since you gave your life to Jesus? He could also have allowed his social status to be an obstacle, being not just a chief tax collector in that city but also a rich man. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way (Luke 19:4 NKJV). Application: Meeting Jesus changed Zacchaeus into a completely new person. Thats what Jesus died for. His love is a constant call to repent and come to him. Romans 3:23 says, Everyone has sinned. You will find the story also in Mark 10:17-22 and Luke 18:18-23. Meet Zacchaeus: Short, Dishonest Tax Collector Who Found Christ. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God. That very day, Jesus went home with Zacchaeus. This would enable him to follow Jesus and become an active participant in Gods kingdom. It is not known what Jesus said to Zacchaeus once he arrived at the tax collectors house, but the outcome of their encounter is revealed. Zavada, Jack. He tried standing on his tip toes, but that didnt work. God knew everything about you before you were even born, because He is the one who made you! He couldn't see over the crowd, so he scurried up a tree, which would have been a very undignified thing for him to do in that culture. And Jesus, the Good Shepherd, called out to him anyway. If only the people in the crowd had opened their eyes to that truth, they would have been rejoicing that Zacchaeus was about to become a whole new person instead of complaining about Jesus friendship with a sinner.. Help me to accept Jesus as a friend of sinners and to spread the good news of his salvation to people I know and encounter along the way. The tax collector represents sin because we cannot serve God and mammon. The Lord be with you. A descendant of Abraham, he was an example of Jesus 's personal, earthly mission to bring salvation to the lost. Now obviously he could have responded in many ways - Lets say he walked away because of the difficulty with the crowd.
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