Seek: He Came to Seek and Save
Luke 19 opens with the story of Zaccheus. You might be most familiar with his story from the children’s song,
Zaccheus was a wee, little man,
And a wee, little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.
There is a lot more going on in this story than the song implies. Zaccheus was a tax collector. By social standards he was extremely wealthy. But his wealth had been achieved by extorting his own Jewish countrymen by working with the Roman Government, the very people who were oppressing the Jews. The Romans did not respect him because he was willing to sell out his own people for greed. The Jewish religious establishment viewed him as a sinner and would not allow him into the synagogue.
But he was being drawn to see Jesus. Who was this Jewish teacher performing miracles and eating with sinners? Zaccheus was not so bold as to invite Jesus into his home. But he was curious enough to climb a tree to get a glimpse of the miracle-working Rabbi. When Jesus got to the tree Zaccheus had used to see over the crowd, He said, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5).
The crowd of people were astonished. Jesus is in town. Surely, he will want to spend some time in the synagogue. Surely, he will be meeting with the Pharisees or perhaps seek an audience with the Sanhedrin. There are many prominent officials with whom Jesus might want to meet to discuss and strategize plans for the overthrow of Rome and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Luke even tells us in v. 11 that they were expecting the kingdom of God to appear immediately. That is what He has been moving about preaching: that the Kingdom of God is at hand. This is an exciting message. This is what the crowds want to hear. But instead, Jesus is inviting himself into the home of Zaccheus. Their response is predictable, and perhaps familiar. “When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’” (Luke 19:7)
This visit of Jesus was extraordinary. Zaccheus repents and makes restitution. He reveals his heart has changed. And Jesus proclaims, “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9) The kingdom of God does not move in the same way the kingdoms of the world come and go. It is not about geography, political power, or regime changes. The kingdom of God moves through hearts and lives and finds its home and power in the most unexpected of places. And as confused as the people were, the only explanation Jesus gives is, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) And then He tells them a parable of a nobleman who goes away and leaves part of his treasure in the hands of ten of his servants. The people do not want this man as a ruler over them. And when he returns, he exacts judgment upon those who reject him.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. We often will run after those who appear the most religious or who have the most influence. We think the kingdom of God will run most smoothly.
on those who are most respectable. Be willing to seek the way Jesus sought. Look at hearts not connections. Disciple making is not about finding spiritual community with those most like you. Disciple making may very well lead you into relationships with those who seem like the least likely to follow Jesus.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark