Matlock & Wirksworth Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/354059/episodes/19481103-matlcok-12-07-26-zaccheus-lost-found-neal-garratt.mp3 Zacchaeus meets Jesus I want to spend just a few moments to put this story into context – One of the main themes of Luke’s gospel is that Jesus welcomes sinners /lost people– he doesn’t reject them, even though the scribes and pharisees could not understand this – they thought their works would be enough for Jesus but Jesus always looks at the heart and seeks to restore peoples heart to him – no matter their sin or shame! This is good news for those Jesus meets in his earthly ministry and good news for us as well! Luke 15 vs 2 – “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people- even eating with them” This is the background and before we meet Zacchaeus in chapter 19 Jesus has told the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son and in chapter 18 the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector and the rich young ruler – Jesus seeking lost and sinful people - and then we meet Zacchaeus Luke 19 vs 1-10 Zacchaeus was despised by the Jews as he was a tax collector for the Romans as was Matthew and he was in fact the chief tax collector – The jews viewed tax collectors as traitors to the Jewish community and in fact were viewed as “robbers”. Luke also says that Zacchaeus was wealthy and how did he become wealthy? By taking advantage of those people whose taxes he collected and making himself money on the side – he was corrupt there is no doubt about that! He was the last person that Jesus should have been associating with and yet Jesus invites himself for tea! Vs 7 But the people were displeased – “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner they grumbled” You see the problem was they had completely misunderstood Jesus ministry on earth which he reveals in vs 10 “ For the son of man came to seek and save those who are lost” This is so important – we are ALL lost spiritually until Jesus Christ finds us – Dictionary definition of lost “ spiritually or physically doomed or destroyed “lost souls” This is us and what’s the opposite of lost? FOUND – we have been found by Christ Luke 15 vs 6 “ When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbours saying “ Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep” Luke 15 vs 9 “And when she find its (the lost coin) she will call together her friends and neighbours and say “ Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin” Luke 15 vs 24 “ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was LOST but now he is FOUND” So the party began” This is so important – was Zacchaeus lost – YES – But Jesus found him – salvation came to his house that very afternoon! Ephesians chapter 2 explains our position before we meet Jesus Vs 1 – You are spiritually dead in your sins – Vs 4 – BUT GOD – is so rich in mercy, and he loves us so much that even though we were dead – he gave us LIFE when he raised Jesus from the dead Vs 8-9 “ God saved you by his grace when you believed and you can’t take credit for this it is a gift from God- Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done , so none of us can boast about it” The world is quick to condemn - but Jesus is quick to forgive! So Jesus visits Zacchaeus house and Zacchaeus is convicted of his sin and says Vs 8-9 “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 and Jesus responds Salvation has come to this home today” The conviction of our sin or our position before Christ is a ministry of the Holy Spirit John 16 vs 7-8 Jesus says this “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness” There has to be conviction of our sin before a Holy God – that we are lost and need to be found – before salvation comes. Watch Video – Start at 2.03mins in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GeGqm4ocg8&t=168s Amazing story of bring lost and then found – this is what happens when The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and we realise we need a saviour! Tell the story of Mr Lee – Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners! Zacchaeus was visited by Jesus in his home and yet we have that same invitation every day to walk with Jesus Roger – Prophetic word – take my hand and walk with me every day – so good Lamentations 3 vs 22-26 “The faithful love of the Lord never ends – His mercies never cease – Great is his faithfulness – his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself The Lord is my inheritance therefore I will hope in him – The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord” Jesus wants to find and rescue you this morning – He doesn’t care what you have done – how bad you have been – what you are carrying – Lost people have a lot of baggage- but he is here to find you, rescue you and pour out his amazing love and grace into your life – you know we all have a moment when we can say “Salvation came to this house today” – why not today for you? Luke 19 vs 1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 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.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 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!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
