Jesus, the Friend of Sinners

Luke chapter 19, starting in verse 1, reads: "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the publicans. And he was very rich. He sought to see Jesus, who he was, but he could not because of the multitude, for he was little in stature. He ran before and climbed into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was to pass that way.

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him. He said unto him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house.' This is a beautiful passage in the Gospels as we see Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem for the last time before His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus is now in the region of Judea, very close to Jerusalem, at the city of Jericho.

Last week in chapter 18, we saw that as He was going into that city, He was confronted by a blind man who called out, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' Jesus asked him, 'What is it that you desire?' The man replied, 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.' Jesus healed the man, and he immediately began to follow Jesus.

Now, as Jesus comes into the city of Jericho, He is just passing through. He is not planning on staying for a long period of time. He is going up to Jerusalem, as was His custom and the custom of many Jews in His day for the Passover, which was very soon at hand. We considered several weeks ago that this journey to Jerusalem started all the way back in chapter 9. We have been watching as Jesus moved around through Galilee, down into Samaria, and now further south into Judea.

As He journeys into the city of Jericho, there was a certain man whose name was Zacchaeus. His name means 'pure,' but as we will consider, his life was far from pure. Nevertheless, he desired to see Jesus. He wanted to know, 'Who is this guy?' No doubt news had already spread through Jericho that this man had just healed a blind man who sat at the gate, one of the individuals that Zacchaeus had probably seen many times.

One of the guys who probably asked for a gift or alms from Zacchaeus as he entered his city in Jericho was aware that word was spreading about this man, Jesus of Nazareth. He had just healed a blind man at the gate, and now he was coming through the city. Zacchaeus wanted to see this man.

Notice in verse 2 that Zacchaeus was chief among the publicans, or tax collectors. He was not merely a tax collector; he was the chief among the tax collectors, essentially the head tax collector. How many of you really like the tax collector? The response in their day was the same: they did not like the tax collector. This sentiment was even stronger among the Jewish people during this time in the land of Israel because they were occupied by the Romans. They were paying tribute and taxes to the Roman Empire.

Jesus, in fact, in his teaching would say, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." All the people knew and understood the whole issue of taxation from Rome. However, their tax money wasn't going to their own state or their own place; it was going to this occupying empire, the Roman Empire. Naturally, the people of Israel did not like that. They were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah.

In fact, many in Jesus' day believed that the Messiah would come very soon. There was a palpable anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. Different individuals had risen around this period who people thought might be the Messiah. Many went out to see John the Baptist, and the Levites and Pharisees also went to inquire, "Are you the Christ?" They wanted to know who he was, as nobody had spoken with such authority and prophetic power in a long time.

This anticipation spread throughout all the land of Israel that the Messiah was going to come. What was their hope? What was the desire of the Jewish people in that day when the Messiah did come? They hoped he would arrive as a conquering king, casting off the Roman Empire, establishing his kingdom, and freeing them from the obligation to pay tribute and taxes to Caesar. Yet, in the land of Israel, there were Jewish men who were employed by the Roman Empire as tax collectors.

The people of Israel not only disliked the tax collectors because they were taking a portion of their money—sometimes a large portion—but they could not stand them. A tax collector was synonymous with sinner in their day, and they viewed them as traitors. Tax collectors took money from their own countrymen to give it to the occupying empire, the Romans. Additionally, a tax collector made his money by adding a little percentage onto the tax he collected from the people.

I want you to notice something about Zacchaeus. He was chief among the tax collectors, which suggests he probably did his job very well. At the end of verse 2, it states that he was rich. What does that tell us? It indicates that he was likely taking quite a bit on top of the tax he gave to Rome. He had made a pretty good living in the tax collecting business.

Another interesting detail we find about him, further on in this passage, is in verse 3. As he sought to see Jesus, there was a large multitude around Him, and Zacchaeus couldn't see Jesus because he was short. I don't want to offend anyone who is short, but there has been talk about the so-called "short person complex," often referred to as a Napoleonic type of thing. One might wonder if this short man had been picked on because of his stature. Perhaps he was even tougher because of how people treated him. He might have thought, "I'm going to get back at these people. They've treated me this way, and now I have a position of authority, and I'm going to use it."

So here is this man with a position of authority. He is very rich because of his tax collecting, yet he hears of Jesus coming into town and wants to see Him. He wants to know who this man is. He sought to see Jesus. Anything we could say about this man's manner of life would really be speculation. Was he a good man? Was he a harsh tax collector? We don't really know those things. We can assume a few things based on what we read in this passage, but there is one thing we can definitely assume: this man did not have any friends.

Most of the people in his town knew him. They knew his name and recognized his face, but not because he was highly regarded in the city of Jericho or well-loved by its people. They knew him because he had taken their money and had become very rich as a result.

Interestingly, just prior to this, we read Jesus' words about those who are rich back in chapter 18. You remember from last week that Jesus saw the rich young ruler who came to him in verse 24 of Luke chapter 18. When Jesus saw that this rich young ruler went away very sorrowful, he said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it asked, "Who then can be saved?" This was a puzzling question for the people surrounding Jesus as he spoke. They looked up to the religious and the rich, believing that these individuals had everything just fine. They assumed that the religious would have no problem entering the kingdom of heaven and that the rich, with their great lives here, would surely have great lives in eternity.

But Jesus said, "How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of heaven." The disciples and those around him were puzzled, and he added, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." This is a beautiful declaration from Jesus and an even more beautiful truth. Every single day in our lives, we encounter things that seem impossible, especially in our battle against the flesh. Yet Jesus reminds us that the things which are impossible with man are possible with God.

Here was a rich man, and Jesus had just stated how difficult it is for those with riches to enter the kingdom of God. We considered last week why that might be: their focus on this life often supersedes their understanding and focus on the next. This man was wealthy, having made his fortune by taxing his fellow Jews. He was considered a traitor and an outcast, and in his career as a tax collector, he was labeled a sinner. People wanted nothing to do with him.

To do with this guy, he sought for Jesus. He sought for Jesus there in verse 3. When he could not see because of the multitude, he ran ahead a little bit. He knew that Jesus was going to be passing through the city of Jericho. So he ran before Him, and in verse 4, he climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Nothing was going to keep him back. He wanted to know, who is this guy? Who is this man?

In very much the same way that we saw the blind man last week, he wanted to know who this Jesus was. But the multitude kept him back and said, "Keep quiet. Stay away. Don't pester Him." But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me." When Jesus heard him, He called and said, "Come to Me. What is it that you want?"

Now here we have another man who seeks to see Jesus, and perhaps the multitude surrounding Jesus was kind of pushing this little guy out of the way. They said, "Go away. Get out of here. Oh, Zacchaeus, He doesn't have any time for you. Nobody likes you. Of course, Jesus doesn't want to talk to you."

So he went on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for He was to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up. Jesus looked up into the tree when He came to that place and saw Zacchaeus. He said unto him, "Zacchaeus, make haste or quickly come down out of that tree, for today I must abide at your house."

Perhaps this was the first and only house guest that Zacchaeus had had in years. Nobody liked him; he was a tax collector. You're going to invite the tax collector over to your house to have dinner with him? Perhaps if he sees what kind of dinner you're serving, then he'll say, "Well, I think you should probably be paying more taxes. You seem to be doing fairly well." So nobody would have this guy over to their house.

But Jesus, pardon me, Jesus comes to him and says, "I must abide at your house." Circle that word "must" in verse 5. I must abide at your house. Jesus must abide at our houses as well. He must be a part of our lives if we are ever to see God.

But he said to Zacchaeus, "I must abide at your house." Zacchaeus made haste, came down, and received Him joyfully. He received Him with gladness when he came down out of that tree. Notice that he obeyed the Lord's command. Jesus told him to get out of that tree and come down from the sycamore tree because He was going to abide at his house today. He didn't argue; he just jumped right down out of that tree as fast as he could and received Jesus gladly.

This man, this Jesus, this one I've heard so much about, wants to spend time with me. Yet, how did He know my name? "Oh, we've all heard about you, Zacchaeus." No, how did you know who I am? "Zacchaeus, come down out of that tree, for I must abide at your house." He quickly came down and received Him joyfully.

When they saw it, they all murmured, saying that He has gone to be the guest of a man that is a sinner. You see their view of Zacchaeus? Oh, man. Oh, Zacchaeus. Why did you have to climb that tree and get in the way? We all want to spend time with Jesus, and He's going to come and stay with you. You're a sinner. How could He possibly have time for you?

How would you like it if the job you do was associated with being a sinner? Every time you tell people, "So, what do you do for a living?" and you respond, "I'm a tax collector," they might say, "Oh, I don't want to shake your hand. What are you doing here? Who invited you?" But Jesus says, "I must abide at your house." And he received Him gladly.

However, the people surrounding him, the multitude, of course, the people who knew who Zacchaeus was, the people from the city of Jericho, when they saw this, they couldn't understand it. They all muttered among themselves, "What in the world? How could this be? He's going to go spend some time with a sinner?"

Maybe Jesus dropped a notch in their eyes when He said, "Zacchaeus, I'm going to come stay at your house today." Perhaps the people thought, "Oh, goodness," like the Pharisee Simon when that sinful woman came to Jesus and washed His feet. They might have thought, "If He knew, if He really was a prophet, then He would know what kind of guy this Zacchaeus is, and He wouldn't want to spend time with him." So perhaps Jesus did drop a notch in their view and sight at that moment because He was going to be the guest of a man that was a sinner.

Thank God that He makes Himself the friend of sinners. Amen? How many of you fit that bill today? He was going to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.

Well, Zacchaeus, in verse 8, heard these murmurings. He knew what was going on. So, Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my goods I will give to the poor." There seems to be an instant transformation in Zacchaeus. Some Bible teachers believe that between verses 7 and 8 is the meal that Jesus partook with Zacchaeus, but we're not told of that in this verse. It almost appears as if the very next thing in the event is that Zacchaeus drops down out of the tree. He hears all the murmuring about who he is, stands up, and says, "Lord, Lord, please, half of my goods I give to the poor. I'll give to the poor. And if I have taken anything from any man falsely, by false accusation, I will restore it unto him fourfold."

Now, the law in Leviticus chapter 6, verse 5, required that if someone had taken something falsely, they were to restore it and pay a restitution of 20%. But here Zacchaeus says, "Yeah, I'm rich, and half of my goods I will give to the poor. If I have wronged anybody here," and there were probably a lot of people who perked up at that moment, "Yeah, you've wronged me," "then I will restore unto him 400%." Not just what the law required, but above and beyond, far above and beyond what the law required.

There was a transformation for sure that had taken place in this man's life. What caused the transformation? The only thing that caused the transformation was Jesus coming in. That is an important thing to consider.

You know, we ask a question in the School of Discipleship, the lesson that we just finished this last week with the men's ministry, about salvation and full salvation. The question there is, how many of you are holy? You always get answers that are kind of along these lines.

Well, not really. How many of you are holy? I hope so. But then the question is asked: what makes someone holy?

In our lesson, we consider the very first time in Scripture that the word "holy" is used. It's found in Exodus chapter 3, verse 5. There, Moses sees a bush that's burning. You remember the story, right? He approaches this bush, and as he did, a voice came from that bush—the voice of God. It said in Exodus 3, verse 5, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Now, was that just some sort of really special dirt there in Sinai? Should we go over there and try to find that dirt and maybe package it and sell it because this is holy dirt? I'm sure someone's probably tried.

What made the dirt holy? The presence of God. There was a place in the temple and also in the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. What made that place holy? It wasn't the gold or all the things that were in there, except for one very important thing: the presence of God is what made that place holy.

What makes my life holy? What makes your life holy? It's the presence of God. Jesus, coming into this man's life, transformed him. Although beforehand he was a sinner—no doubt, we all are—he was viewed as a traitor and a tax collector that no one wanted to be around. He was an outcast. People thought, "We don't want anything to do with Zacchaeus. He steals from us. He's a traitor."

But when Jesus came in, there was a transformation. In an instant, there was a transformation. When a child is born, the nurses and doctors look for signs of life. One of the first signs of life that they look for, many of you know, is the cry, right? That cry. When a person is born anew, when there is a transformation taking place in the heart of a sinner, there are signs of life. For this man, that was a sign of life.

There was an instant change. He recognized that what he had done in the past was wrong, and he was willing to make restitution for it. There was a clear and visible repentance. "Half of my goods I will give to the poor, and if I have taken anything by false accusation, I will restore him fourfold."

Now, remember, Jesus had said in the previous chapter, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of God." That saying, that truth, came on the heels of the discourse with the rich young ruler. The man was not only rich, but he also considered himself to be quite religious. Jesus said, "You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother." The rich young ruler replied, "All of these I have kept from my youth up."

He was rich and he was religious, but Jesus said, "One thing you lack. Go and sell all that you have, distribute it unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me."

This man, Zacchaeus, was a tax collector. He was a sinner and had become very rich by his trade. When Jesus came to him, a transformation took place. Zacchaeus said, "Half of my goods I will give to the poor. I don't care about my riches." He immediately recognized that Jesus was of far more value than what he had. All it took for him to recognize that was for Jesus to take notice of him and say, "Come down out of that tree. I'm going to stay with you."

In an instant change, Jesus said in verse 9 of Luke 19, "This day, salvation is come to his house, for as much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." This is the purpose, the work of the Messiah.

It's interesting to me how the Lord connects things. I didn't talk with Don about his message that he was going to share this morning, but it was interesting to me that he started with Isaiah 61, speaking about the ministry of the Messiah.

As we consider Isaiah 61, we read about the work that Jesus has come to do. He has come to appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

Notice the people in that verse who receive beauty. They are the ones who recognize that all they have is ashes. Those in that verse who receive the oil of joy are those who are in the place of mourning. Those that receive the garment of praise are those who have the spirit of heaviness. This man knew he was a sinner, and Christ came to save sinners. He came to save those who were lost. We see this truth throughout the Scriptures.

Back in the book of Ezekiel, chapter 34, there is a very beautiful passage describing this. In Ezekiel 34:11, we read, "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the countries and will bring them to their own land and feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be. There shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock and cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God."

In verse 16, note this: "I will seek that which was lost and will bring again that which was driven away. I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which is sick. I will destroy the fat and the strong and will feed them with judgment." God, speaking to His people in the Old Testament, speaks of the work that Jesus came to do. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

In Luke 5:31, we see this truth reiterated.

Jesus, there speaking, says, "They that are whole do not need a physician, but they that are sick. I am come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." In Matthew chapter 1, verse 21, we read, "And he shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." This highlights the work of the Messiah.

In Romans chapter 5, verse 6, we read, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly." Paul, writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 1, verse 13, speaks of himself, saying, "I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and I was injurious, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." The grace of our Lord Jesus was exceedingly abundant with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

This is a faithful saying worthy of all acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which is lost. Zacchaeus was lost; Zacchaeus was a sinner. He understood it. It was ingrained in him every single day of his work. Everybody looked upon him as a chief tax collector, and therefore he must be the chief sinner.

But Jesus came and said, "Make haste, I must abide at your house." Zacchaeus came down and received Him gladly. He obeyed and welcomed Christ with joy. There was an instant transformation, an instant change. Although maybe others would not ever be his friend, Jesus was his friend, and that's all that mattered.

What does it matter if nobody else liked him if Jesus loved him? Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house because you are a son of Abraham." What does that mean? You are a son of Abraham. Next week, we will delve into the passage about Jesus' triumphant entry.

You may remember that the disciples were traveling with Jesus as He came into Jerusalem down that road from the Mount of Olives. They were singing, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." And what do the Pharisees say? They say, "Tell your disciples to stop." Jesus responds, "If they were to stop, these rocks would cry out."

Thinking of that verse, I'm reminded of another group of rocks in the garden of Jerusalem. In the Gospel of John, when the Pharisees and the Levites came to John the Baptist, or actually speaking to Jesus, there were the rocks there. They said, "We're sons of Abraham." John replied, "God is able to raise up from these rocks sons of Abraham." They threw that term, "sons of Abraham," around all the time. They claimed, "We're sons of Abraham." But Jesus said, "This man also is a son of Abraham."

What is He saying? This man, Zacchaeus, was a man of faith, just as his father, Abraham, was. Paul tells us in Romans chapter 9, and actually in Romans chapter 11, that not all Israel are Israel. What does that mean? The name Israel means "governed by God," and it is a name applied to the Jewish people. They are the children of Israel because God changed Jacob's name to Israel. However, God says that not all those who are of that bloodline are truly governed by Him.

Zacchaeus, although he was a sinner and a tax collector, had obeyed and received Christ. Therefore, he was shown to be a true son of Abraham. Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house today because I have come to seek and to save that which was lost." He didn't come to those who were whole. Who were the whole in Jesus' day? The Pharisees. They didn't see their need for a Savior in their own eyes. They claimed, "We don't need You, Jesus. Abraham is our Father. We keep the law." Yet, Jesus would say, "You are like whitewashed tombs. You look great on the outside, but you are full of dead men's bones." They did not recognize their need.

In Isaiah chapter 61, He comes and gives beauty for ashes. The person who realizes their whole life has gone up in smoke and all they have left is ashes can find hope in the Lord. Many of you in this room today came to know the Lord in the pit because He is a friend of sinners.

The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost. Those who do not recognize their lost condition do not receive Christ as Savior. Similarly, those who do not recognize their sickness do not receive the great Physician. It is those who are sick who need healing.

How do we show this sickness? I think the best way to illustrate the lostness of man and the sickness of man is to take the law and hold our lives up next to it. How do we measure up? The Pharisees thought they looked pretty good until Jesus began saying things like, "You have heard that it has been said of old time, you shall not commit adultery; but I say unto you, if you look upon a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery in your heart." Whoa. That changes things, doesn't it?

Jesus continued, "You have heard that it has been said of old time, you shall not kill; but I say unto you, whoever is angry with his brother without cause is worthy of judgment." Jesus brought the law down to the heart level, and when we examine our hearts in light of the law, they appear pretty dark and dead.

Take Zacchaeus, for example. He knew he was a sinner; it was very clear to him. However, he recognized Jesus as the Savior, and as he did, he was found. Why did Jesus go through Jericho? He didn't need to go through Jericho to get to Jerusalem. What was the point of going all the way back down there? It seems out of the way if you look at a map.

The reason was that out of the hundred, there was one that was lost. Jesus would leave the ninety-nine to seek the lost. In Matthew chapter 9, verse 12, Jesus said, "I have not come but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." There was a lost sheep, a short little guy, the black sheep of the family. Everyone kind of said, "Oh, Zacchaeus, man. Let's not talk about Zacchaeus. He makes the whole party kind of down." That tax collector? He went to the tax collector's house? Are you kidding me? Yes, he went there.

And the guy has given money away now. What happened? He's been taking our money for years, and now he's giving it back. With God, nothing shall be impossible. Amen?

Let's stand together. Today, you may be that black sheep of the family. You may be that person who is in the exact same place as Zacchaeus. Christ's call to you is to come down out of that tree. I want to abide with you. I want to stay with you. You may tell some family members, "Hey, Jesus is coming into my life," and they might say, "You? You're going to church? He wants to spend time with you?" Yes, he does. The Lord desires to abide with you and with me. Emmanuel, right? God with us. He calls us and says, "Come down out of that tree. Today, I must abide at your house."

The question is, will you heed the call and receive him gladly? If you will, he'll transform your life from the inside out. If you refuse, you'll be no different than the rich young ruler in the last chapter, who went away sorrowful, and Jesus would profess, "It's very hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." You may not be rich in finances or the treasures of this world, but perhaps when you go away sorrowful, what you're proclaiming is that you're rich in self, rich in pride. But Christ calls to you. Nothing is impossible with God.

As we wrap up and pray this morning, the pastors and some of the elders will be up here to pray for you after the service. God may be speaking to your heart. Don't leave this place without coming to him and meeting with some of these pastors to pray.

Father, we do thank you for your word. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. I ask that as we go from this place this morning, Lord,

You would help us to see the same way that You saw, Jesus. That we would see those who are running ahead, climbing up in the trees. That we would call to them and say, "Come, the Lord wants to meet with you." God, we desire to see Your kingdom grow. We desire to see, Lord, You magnified and exalted in our lives and in the lives of our family and friends.

So, Lord, I pray that You would help us to see Jesus as You see. To see the multitude and be moved with compassion. To go after that one that maybe others say, "Oh, not Zacchaeus." But, Lord, I thank You that You came to each of us individually at an appointed time, as You did for this man in our story. We praise You and thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

May the Lord bless you this week as you follow Him. May He cause you to be a witness and a light for Him in this area, in this community. I offer a challenge to you this week: I challenge you to invite someone to church. Invite someone to come to see this Jesus. Maybe look for the person who is like Zacchaeus, kind of climbing up in a tree, trying to see, "Hey, what's going on?" I challenge you to invite them to come that they might see and know that there is no God like the God of the Bible.

May God bless you as you go. You are dismissed. The pastors are here, and we're here to pray for you this morning. We would love to fellowship with you. Have a great day. Thank you. Amen.