This week I read a story about a local fitness center that was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. The owner—who was himself a real muscle man—would squeeze a lemon in his bare hands until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand what was left of the lemon to the challenger. If the challenger could squeeze just one more drop of juice out of that lemon he or she would win the money. Lots of people tried over time—weight lifters, construction workers, even professional wrestlers, but nobody could do it. The owner was that strong. He could literally squeeze a lemon dry.
One day a short skinny guy came into the fitness center and asked to participate in the contest. When the owner looked at the little guy he laughed and so did other bystanders—but he grabbed a lemon and squeezed away. Then he handed the wrinkled remains to the little man. The crowd’s laughter turned to silence as the man clenched his fist around the lemon and squeezed until six drops fell into the glass. Everyone cheered…the manager paid out the winning prize…and then he asked the short guy what he did for a living. “Are you a lumberjack, a weightlifter, or what?”
The man replied, “No…I work for the IRS.”
This morning as we continue the “Evangelism 101” sermons — messages in which we have been studying some of the evangelistic encounters in the New Testament—this morning we come to the story of the 1st century version of an IRS agent—a guy whose job it was to put the “financial squeeze” on a lot of people. Take your Bibles and turn to Luke 19. Follow along as I read verses 1-10.
Luke 19:1 – Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 – A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
3 – He wanted to see Who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.
4 – So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 – When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
6 – So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly.
7 – All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 – But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 – Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”
10 – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Back in 1994 I was in Jericho—or rather just outside the town. Tours didn’t go into “Jericho proper” in those days because it was not safe…so we just visited the archeological dig where historians and researchers were studying the pile of ruins that is all that remains of the Old Testament fortress city of Jericho whose walls came tumbling down. We could see modern day Jericho in the distance and to me it looked to be kind of barren. In fact, I could see only one tree. I asked our tour guide about it and she said that was the tree Zacchaeus had climbed 2,000 years ago—then she laughed at her own joke…because of course Zach’s tree is long gone…as are pretty much all the trees in that region of the world now…but in Jesus’ day it was different. Back then, there were apparently trees everywhere.
I say this because that’s how Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, described Jericho. He wrote of it as, “…the most fruitful country of Judea, which bears a vast number of palm trees, beside the balsam tree, whose sprouts they cut with sharp stones, and at the incisions they gather the juice, which drops down like tears. This country produces honey from bees: it also bears that balsam which is the most precious of all the fruits in that place, cypress trees also, and [other trees]; so that he who should pronounce this place to be divine would not be mistaken, wherein is such plenty of trees produced as are very rare, and of the most excellent sort.”
Here’s something else we should know about Jericho. In New Testament times, it’s climate was very temperate which made it an ideal retreat for the rich—government officials and royalty—who built enormous palaces there, complete with swimming pools, gardens, bathhouses, a hippodrome, and a theater. Another thing—this city sat on one of the busiest trade routes in the ancient world with connections to important coastal cities in northern Israel and to Egypt to the south. Well, as Charles Swindoll reminds us in his commentary, “Wherever you find vast amounts of wealth and large numbers of politicians you inevitably find a funnel for TAXES.”
And you certainly found that in Jericho. In fact, taxes were collected at three main places in this part of the world: Capernaum, Jerusalem—and Jericho. It was one of the “big three.”
Luke tells us that in Jericho there lived a man who was not only a tax collector—he was a CHIEF tax collector. In other words he was in charge of the men who managed this “tax funnel.” His name was Zaccheus and his position not only gave him immense power over the daily lives of ordinary citizens; he also enjoyed direct ACCESS to the powers that be. He undoubtedly dined with the richest and most influential residents of Jericho. He counseled with Roman dignitaries on a regular basis…telling them which Jewish families were the wealthiest and who could pay the most taxes! As a Jew he would know which Jewish families pretended to be poor or not. For example he would know who was hiding his flocks in the hills to avoid taxing. He would know who had a second house up in the mountains…things like that.
This prestigious job made it possible for Zaccheus to enjoy a lifestyle few could imagine. I mean, to say that he was rich would be a vast understatement. He was FILTHY rich. Zacchaeus was rolling in money. I get the image of Scrooge McDuck swimming in a pool filled with cash. Zacchaeus got that way by abusing the power of his office to exact higher taxes than were due and then stashing the surplus in his own bank accounts. Let me put it this way: he was the “kingpin” of the Jericho “tax cartel” and had the scruples of a modern-day crack dealer. I find it ironic that the name, “Zacchaeus” means “innocent” —because Zaccheus was anything but. So—even though Zacchaeus was enormously WEALTHY—he was also enormously HATED by the city’s Jewish residents. He was despised because everyone knew his business was nothing more than legalized extortion. In fact, as Zacchaeus tried to push his way through the crowd to see Jesus that day, I’m sure the people enjoyed boxing the little guy out. I imagine they said things like, “Sorry about the elbow in the eye Zacchaeues, you’re hard to see! Oh—was that your foot?” I mean, in the eyes of his countrymen his littleness was more than physical. To them he was a detested nobody. C.S. Lewis described Zaccheus in this way, “Some of the locals would have liked to see if they could put this wealth-loving man through the eye of a needle literally—squeezed out in one long bloody thread from tail to snout.”
I want us to be sure and get the full picture of what Luke means in verse 1 when he tells us that Jesus “…entered Jericho and was passing through..” This was toward the end of our Lord’s earthly ministry—and by this time He had a large following indeed. Jesus’ entourage that day probably contained hundreds—perhaps thousands—of people, so the commotion would have been considerable, not unlike an unorganized parade. Luke says that Zaccheus wanted to “…see Who Jesus was…” which tells us that the tax collector had heard rumors about Jesus and wanted to check them out. But he didn’t approach Jesus as a dignitary…and he could have done that. As one of the most important men in the city, Zaccheus could have tried to arrange an official meeting. Instead in a very undignified manner, he ran to see Jesus—but because of his short stature and the size of the vast crowd, he couldn’t see or hear Jesus so he ran ahead of the “parade” and climbed one of the many trees that lined the route. Luke tells us it was a sycamore-fig — and these were trees with lots of branches…easy to climb quickly. Understand, Zacchaeus’ actions would be like the mayor of Las Vegas climbing a pole on the parade route of an arriving popular religious figure….like Billy Graham. It shows us that Zacchaeus was so eager to hear and see Jesus that he didn’t care about dignity.
But—while Zaccheus ran ahead and actually climbed a tree, he didn’t initiate contact. Jesus did. As the popular little children’s song lyric goes, “And when the Savior passed that way He looked up in that tree and He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down—for I’m going to your house today…for I’m going to your house today.” Now—I love that song—but they lyric doesn’t quite capture what Jesus said. In verse 5 Luke gives us the exact quote. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I MUST stay at your house today.” In other words, it was essential that Jesus stop in for a visit. This was a pre-ordained part of our Lord’s earthly ministry. This rich man who had entertained royalty and heads of state—had a literal DIVINE appointment. By the way, this was Jesus’ last personal encounter before the cross. It highlights the fact that Jesus came, “…to seek and to save the lost” —and that’s what Zacchaeus was—lost.
In our Western culture it is considered poor etiquette to invite oneself to another’s home for a meal. You would think it rude if you came through the line after the service today and I said,
“Sue and I are bringing the kids to dinner in a few minutes. Please have the table set when we get there. By the way I feel like steak and lobster.” We just don’t do that kind of thing. My predecessor at the church I served in seminary, passed out a toothbrush with his name on it to all the families in the church….especially the ones with good cooks. He told them this was so he could brush his teeth whenever he came for a meal after church. I have often wondered how he got away with that…because most of us would consider that kind of thing rude, crude, and socially unacceptable, but that’s not the way they thought of this in the ancient near Eastern culture of Jericho. No—they considered it a privilege to provide food, shelter, protection, and comfort for travelers at the last minute—especially if the person had high social rank. So Jesus was paying Zacchaeus a high compliment indeed. I imagine every home owner in Jericho hoped to host the man that many believed to be the Messiah on His journey through town.
I’m also sure they were all shocked when Jesus gave this distinction to the city’s most notorious sinner. It would be like Billy Graham accepting the hospitality of Al Capone—endorsing Capone’s criminal activities with his presence. I mean, if calling Zacchaeus rich was an understatement…so was calling him a sinner. To borrow another song lyric, he was considered b-b-b-b-bad to the bone! I’m saying Jesus’ statement shocked the “good” citizens of Jericho. This is what Luke is describing in verse 7 when he says, “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘[Jesus] has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’”
In any case, Zaccheus didn’t care about the crowd’s mutterings. He was thrilled. He gladly received Jesus as his guest. I bet he JUMPED down out of that tree, gave Jesus directions to his house and then hurried off to make preparations. At one point in the evening’s festivities—perhaps after the meal, Jesus taught as only Jesus can teach. We don’t know the content of His message but in my mind He talked about His reason for coming into the world. He talked about God’s great love and His eagerness to forgive sinners. Maybe our Lord shared the parable of the prodigal son—I don’t know—but I do know that His teaching hit home for Zaccheus because he responded by putting his faith in our Lord. He even gave evidence of the sincerity of his commitment with a shocking vow. As Swindoll puts it in his commentary,“Standing taller than ever before in his life, the city’s most public sinner repented, promising to give half of everything he owned to the poor—a vast sum of money. He also pledged to repay anyone he had defrauded four times what he had taken.” Can you imagine how shocked Zacchaeus’ other guests must have been? Think of how the rest of the town’s residents felt as news of Zacchaeus’ conversion and pledge spread…not to mention when he showed up on their doorstep to help the poor or to pay them a quadruple tax refund!
Well, in response to Zacchaeus’ statement, Jesus said that salvation had come to the house and He affirmed Zacchaeus as a “son of Abraham.” In other words, by putting his faith in Jesus, Zacchaeus had become a true son of Abraham…an heir to God’s promise—part of God’s kingdom. You may remember that earlier John the Baptist had called all Jews and the religious leaders in particular to repent, saying, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance…and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones, God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” (Luke 3:8) Zacchaeus definitely bore fruit in keeping with repentance. He did what the Rich Young Ruler had refused to do. His example proves that a “camel” can indeed pass through the eye of a “needle.” People can change. Even takers—people who have loved wealth and hoarded it all their lives—even they can become givers. The things that are impossible with people are possible with God (Luke 18:27)
This morning I want us to deal with this question. What motivated Zacchaeus to come to Jesus in the first place? What made this little man who was a big sinner run and climb a tree to get a glimpse our Lord? I think the answer to this question will help us become better at leading others to decide to follow Jesus…so—why did Zacchaeus do what he did the day Jesus came to town?
I think the main reason is because Zacchaeus is a rich man who had come to see that he was actually poor. In spite of his vast wealth there was nothing in his life of lasting value. Think of it—his wealth isolated him from people. He had no real friends—no companions that he didn’t buy. So, he was both hated—and lonely. But it was more than that. He had power and all the pleasures this world could provide but still there was something else missing in his life. There was a vacancy in his life that gold could not fill. Oh—I’m sure he tried to fill the vacuum…but any joy his wealth bought was temporary and left this rich man feeling even poorer….emptier.
I’m reminded of something G. K. Chesterton once said—something that may shock you. He said, “Every man who visits a prostitute is looking for God.” And—as hard as that is to hear—I think Chesterton was on to something…because everyone who commits sin…is looking for something to fill the emptiness…the poverty of a life lived without God.
Blaise Pascal, a 17th century French philosopher and mathematician said that people have a trace of happiness—but only a trace…a trace of the original happiness that the first humans had. He said that because of sin, we’ve lost true and full happiness. Pascal describes this unhappiness as the “infinite abyss,” a giant hole that only God can fill. From time to time we all buy into the myth that Zacchaeus did—we think that the pleasures of this world will satisfy our longings…but they don’t. So…I think this is why Zacchaeus ran. It’s why he climbed that tree. He was desperate to see Jesus because he thought that Jesus might be able to fill the whole in his life that wealth could not.
We don’t know what led him to believe this—but I love an insight that I read in a message by the late E. K. Bailey. He postulates that in the months prior to Jesus’ visit, as Zacchaeus made his rounds in various towns nearby, collecting taxes he encountered people who had met Jesus—people who’s longing for God had been filled. According to Bailey, here’s how it might have happened. One day Zacchaeus knocked on a door and a frail, blind man answered. Zacchaeus tells him he had come to collect the taxes he owed the Roman government. The blind man tells Zacchaeus if he will only give him 30 days, he’ll find the money somehow. Zacchaeus is caught between money and mercy but says, “Well, that’s not usually my style but I’ll give you the 30 days.” And he marks it in his day-timer…to come back in one month. At his next stop the door is answered by a woman who is obviously in very poor health. Her face is white as a sheet—as if there is no blood in her veins. Her hair is matted and her face wet with tears. When he asks for her taxes she says, “I don’t have any way of paying now. You see, for 12 years I have had a blood disorder. I’ve had to spend all my income on doctors. I need 30 days. Then maybe I can pay.” Zacchaeus was caught between greed and grace but said, “For some reason I feel benevolent today. I’ll give you 30 days. But I’m writing your name in my book. I’ll be back.”
On Zacchaeus goes. He comes around the bend to a third house and there’s a woman standing in the front yard staring off into the distance. Suddenly a blood-curdling scream comes from the direction of her gaze. Zacchaeus looks and there’s a nude man running through a graveyard cutting himself with stones. He looks like a cross between a man and a wild animal. The woman turns to Zacchaeus and says, “That’s my husband. He was a good man. I’m praying he will come back home. I know I ought to move on but I love him. He’s the father of our children. I don’t know if he’ll ever be right again. No man can bind him. He calls himself ‘Legion’ because he’s possessed by many demons.” Not wanting to dialogue with demons, Zacchaeus says, “I’ll be back in your area in 30 days.” As he hurried away, he looks in his Day-Timer: one more house to visit. When he arrives, there’s a spray of flowers hanging on the door, suggesting that someone has died. He knocks and a grieving woman, veiled and dressed in black, answers the door. She says, “I know who you are and why you’ve come. Zacchaeus, my son died yesterday, and I’m on my way to the funeral. I had to use the tax money to pay the undertaker.” Zacchaeus says, “I’ve already given some of your neighbors thirty days. So I’ll do the same for you.”
Well 30 days pass and Zachaeus sees on his day-timer that it’s time for him to return to those four homes…houses that represented the most nonproductive day in his tax collecting career. He decides not to be swayed by any more sob stories. This time they will pay or be thrown into prison. Well, at the first house he notices a change. The grass is manicured. The house has undergone renovation. When he knocks on the door a man with piercing eyes answers. Zacchaeus says, “I must be at the wrong house. I’m looking for the home of a blind man.” The man says, “That’s me. I was blind but I heard that Jesus was coming to town and I went to hear Him. When He came near I cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. He healed me! Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found..was blind but now I see!” The man says he sold his seeing eye dog so he has the money to pay his taxes and as he counts out the coins Zacchaeus stands there dumbfounded.
Once this little man regains his composure, he moves on to the second house. When he knocks on the door, a woman in perfect health answers. The change in her is stark…she was so sick but now she literally glows with vitality. She tells him that she had gone to see Jesus as well. She had reached out to touch the hem of His robe and power—healing power—had flooded her body.
She says, “Zacchaeus, I didn’t have to pay the doctors this month so here’s your tax money.” The shocked chief tax collector moves on to the third house and when he knocks the wife he had met in the yard a month earlier answers the door….but a handsome young man comes to stand behind her. She says, “Zacchaeus, I want you to meet my husband. 30 days ago his home was in the graveyard but look at him now. I told you no man could tame him but Jesus did. When Jesus walked in the demons walked out. Look at him! He’s a new man! He’s been able to work again. Here’s your tax money.” The husband interjects, “Zacchaeus, if you meet Jesus, he’ll make a new man of you too. I know because Jesus changed my life.” When Zacchaeus knocks at the last door, a handsome and health 12-year-old boy opens the door. Zacchaeus says, “I’m sorry. I’m at the wrong house. The house I’m looking for has no little boy. In fact, thirty days ago the woman of the house was on her way to bury her only son.” The boy says, “Are you Mr. Zacchaeus? My mom has been looking for you all day. She said that you’d be back in thirty days. She said you’re never late collecting the taxes.” Zacchaeus says, “I don’t understand…in the house I’m looking for, the little boy is dead.” The boy said, “You’re at the right house. I’m that boy. I died. I had been very sick and 30 days ago I died. My mother saved the money to pay you the taxes, but she had to use that money on my funeral. But the day of my Jesus came by. He stopped the procession and laid His hand on me…something began to move in my body. I came back to life! When I sat up in the casket, it scared the undertaker so bad that he gave my mother her money back. Here’s the money for your taxes.”
Well, Zacchaeus begins to think, “Maybe this Jesus can satisfy MY longings…maybe He is the Messiah of God. Maybe He can change me like He has these people. Maybe this Jesus can fill the emptiness in my soul.” So—when this rich—poor—man heard Jesus was coming to Jericho—he forgot his dignity and RAN to see Him. And poor lost people have been running to JESUS ever since. They’ve learned the truth of the words George Beverly Shea used to sing:
“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I rather be His than have riches untold.
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.”
We come now to share communion. This meal reminds us that Jesus died for our sin. It reminds us that because He died we can live—REALLY life. This meal symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice—the sacrifice that made it possible for us to fill that God-shaped hole. If you are our guest this morning and are a Christian we invite you to join us at this table…because even if you are not a member of this church, if you are His, this is yours.
THE ORDINANCE OF COMMUNION
If you had to pick between the words “RICH” and “POOR” which would you choose to describe yourself right now? I mean, do you feel satisfied with your life…or are you like Zacchaeus in that something is missing? You can leave this place truly RICH. You can know God personally, intimately. He will lavish the riches of His grace on you. All you have to do is follow Zacchaeus’ example. Turn away from your sin…and turn toward Jesus. In fact, today is your own divine appointment. Jesus is looking to you—as He did to Zacchaeus—He’s telling you He MUST come into your life…but He won’t do that unless you open the door. Won’t you do that today? If you do, please leave your seat and come forward to tell me or Kevin. If you have other decisions to make—like asking to join this church family, come…come now as God leads.