WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.240 So perhaps if you have your Bibles, you can turn with me again to Luke chapter 9. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:16.899 We're thinking a thing today about what happens when love comes to town. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:24.879 You may or may not be aware of the fact that the Irish rock band U2 have recently completed 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:31.960 a 40-show residency in Las Vegas, drawing from their extensive back catalogue. 00:00:32.019 --> 00:00:35.920 One of the songs they played a number of times was one that they recorded with B.B. King 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:37.920 called When Love Comes to Town. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:44.000 It's a really good song, a tale of mistakes and regrets, of fighting and drinking and 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:50.259 broken promises with the refrain, I did what I did before love came to town. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:55.780 With the intention that when love comes, when true love comes, there's hope. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.059 There's a promise of fresh start. 00:00:58.599 --> 00:01:00.420 There's a promise of new beginnings. 00:01:01.879 --> 00:01:04.739 Thinking about that this week, this could be Zacchaeus' song. 00:01:06.039 --> 00:01:15.400 Zacchaeus came up that tree full of regrets, relationships that had been broken, an emptiness 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:21.820 and a longing in his heart, a man who'd been chasing the almighty dollar and had come up 00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:22.400 empty. 00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:29.080 But then when Jesus, the King of Love, came to his town, there was hope. 00:01:29.940 --> 00:01:33.300 As he jumped on that train, his life was transformed. 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:36.740 His story, Zacchaeus' story is a beautiful story. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.280 It's full of hope. 00:01:38.820 --> 00:01:41.880 It speaks to us again, as we've heard so often in Luke's gospel. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:47.699 There is salvation for people society regards as outcasts. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:49.159 That's good news. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:51.899 Think about Jesus' story. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:59.939 Here is Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, to the cross, to demonstrate saving love for 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:00.319 sinners. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:08.599 But here in Jericho, that salvation, that love, that grace becomes really personal to a blind 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:11.300 man and then to Zacchaeus. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:18.939 And as we hear this story, we're invited in also to think about how that relates to our 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:19.560 story. 00:02:20.640 --> 00:02:27.520 From God's word, as the gospel comes to us, as God's love comes to this town and to this 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:31.939 place, how do you and I respond? 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:35.320 We're going to think about this story really simply. 00:02:35.480 --> 00:02:38.520 First of all, we're going to think about the man that we're introduced to. 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:43.280 We're going to think about Zacchaeus here in the first four verses. 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:48.040 But we're also going to place him side by side with the blind man, because Luke records 00:02:48.040 --> 00:02:50.240 not just one, but two Jericho stories. 00:02:50.600 --> 00:02:57.080 And there's an invitation to us to compare and to contrast these two very different figures. 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:00.700 First of all, to think about their status. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:01.699 Zacchaeus. 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:06.319 Okay, so in the society of their day, they would both be considered outcasts and outsiders, 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:09.019 but for very different reasons. 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:13.379 For the blind man, it was because of his circumstances. 00:03:14.179 --> 00:03:16.159 He was born blind. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:19.399 Zacchaeus, it's very different. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:22.199 He is an outcast because of his choices. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:28.119 We're told in verse 2 that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was very wealthy. 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:32.159 He got rich through corruption. 00:03:33.019 --> 00:03:34.399 He got rich through cheating. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:39.959 He got rich with deliberately siding with the enemy government, the Romans. 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:49.680 He has chosen this way of life to be immoral, to be unclean, to set himself apart from religious society. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:59.159 By human standards, neither of them would be considered likely candidates for God's love and God's favor. 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:03.260 But God loves to dazzle with his grace. 00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:08.780 I want us to think about the desire that we see in them both as well. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:15.280 One of the striking things about the blind man is he sees with clear vision because he cries out, 00:04:15.420 --> 00:04:17.560 Son of David, have mercy on me. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:19.480 I know you're God's promised king. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:20.360 Have mercy. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.279 Zacchaeus is less clear. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:23.699 Look at verse 3. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:26.540 He wanted to see who Jesus was. 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:33.500 So he's not as clear, I don't think, but still he obviously recognizes Jesus is significant. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:35.819 Jesus is special. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:46.399 And we need to understand that whenever we catch a new understanding of who Jesus is, 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:50.699 when we find that desire in our hearts to know Jesus, 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:54.680 that's not a human thing, that's a God thing. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:59.819 And that's what we see here, this desire given from God that makes him want to see Jesus. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:06.939 Luke also reminds us that for both of these men, there was a barrier to overcome. 00:05:07.719 --> 00:05:10.219 Last week we saw the blind man, he's rebuked. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:14.040 Those leading the procession, listen, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:16.079 Jesus is too busy for the likes of you. 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:17.819 What happens for Zacchaeus? 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:24.139 Verse 3, he wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he couldn't see over the crowd. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:26.759 Now, there's a physical barrier. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:32.479 If people were kindly towards Zacchaeus, if they thought well of him and he was little, 00:05:33.339 --> 00:05:35.759 polite society, you would make a way. 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:40.860 Here is a society deliberately giving Zacchaeus the cold shoulder 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:45.099 because of the way he has been treating them, because of the choices he has made. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:46.860 You are not welcome. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:48.800 You shall not pass. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:50.740 This is what Zacchaeus discovers. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:56.079 In a little way, this reminds us of how the world often works. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:57.280 And we see it in our own day. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:01.860 The world we typically divide, don't we, into them and us, those who are like us, 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.439 those who are not like us. 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:06.400 We hear a lot today about tribalism, don't we? 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.819 Some are included, some are excluded. 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:12.420 And if you're not part of our tribe, then we're going to shout you down, 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:13.720 we're going to shoot you down. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:19.660 How different is the message and the beauty of King Jesus? 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:22.660 He is a king for all and a savior for all. 00:06:23.580 --> 00:06:29.600 In the gospel, all barriers are taken down so that we are all one in Christ Jesus. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:40.120 One other thing as we compare and contrast these two figures, we sense urgency. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:47.060 When the king of love comes to town for Bartimaeus, he keeps shouting, 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:49.660 Son of David, have mercy on me. 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:53.259 For Zacchaeus, he keeps on climbing. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:01.560 He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.079 When was the last time you climbed a tree? 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:05.840 Some of us, maybe it was last week. 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:07.680 Some of us, it may have been in the last century. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:13.500 For Zacchaeus, I can guarantee as an adult male in this society, 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.639 he has not done this since he was a little kid. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:21.420 But now, as the only way to see Jesus, he ignores the stares. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.399 He ignores the shouting and the insult. 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:27.800 He needs to see Jesus today. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:32.220 Now, why does Luke paint these two Jericho portraits for us? 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:35.740 It's to help us to see in stereo. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:36.820 Can you see in stereo? 00:07:36.940 --> 00:07:37.680 I'm not sure you can. 00:07:37.940 --> 00:07:47.280 When two outcasts seek Jesus, and both of them discover that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:49.240 Verse 10, that's his mission. 00:07:49.320 --> 00:07:50.160 That's Jesus' mission. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:53.320 The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. 00:07:53.400 --> 00:07:57.860 Now, some important lessons to learn before we move from here. 00:07:57.860 --> 00:08:01.879 So, we said this last week, and we'll keep saying it for as long as the Bible says it to us. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:04.900 No one is beyond God's grace. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.439 Zacchaeus' testimony. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:13.920 Yes, I was rich, but I was a religious and moral wreck. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.199 I had no care for God. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.520 I had no care for other people. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.020 I wasn't interested in worshiping. 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:28.939 But, God in his grace, his love reached for me and rescued me. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:39.559 These two stories side by side tell us our circumstances, whatever those circumstances might be, are no barrier to God's grace. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:49.279 Our choices, as foolish, as bad, as sinful as they may have been, are no barrier to God's love. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:09:00.539 The background that we have, the baggage we carry into this building, no barrier to mercy and grace. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:03.079 So, no one is beyond God's grace. 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:08.379 I think the other thing we need to hear from the beggar and from Zacchaeus is, take your day of opportunity. 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:14.439 They had one shot to meet Jesus, and they took it. 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:16.480 He was passing through their town. 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:18.399 He would go to die on the cross. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:19.779 He would shortly ascend to heaven. 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:21.860 This was their one shot, and they didn't miss it. 00:09:23.699 --> 00:09:35.399 If today you hear God calling to you, if you hear God by his grace drawing you towards Jesus, his Son as Savior, 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:44.299 if you hear the call of the gospel, if you're sensing and experiencing God's love in and through the Lord Jesus, 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:45.299 don't ignore that. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:53.179 Don't wait for another occasion, because Jesus is too important for that. 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:55.819 What is the gospel? 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:58.359 What is it that we are invited to believe? 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:06.379 The gospel tells us that God is our holy creator, and he has made us for life with himself. 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:13.720 But each and every one of us, we have sinned and separated ourselves from God. 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:17.320 And we stand under God's judgment. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:22.820 And one day we will stand before him to give an account of our lives to him. 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:32.900 And because that's true, our only hope is God's grace in what God has done for us in Christ. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:38.780 That God in Jesus became a man, and he lived a perfect life of obedience. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:49.059 And he engaged in this great search and rescue mission, taking on himself at the cross all the sins of all those who'd ever turned to him, 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:53.799 dying on a cross as a substitute to be punished for us. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:11:00.720 And Jesus now calls us to recognize him as Lord and Savior, 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:07.480 to understand that his resurrection that third day is proof that God accepted his sacrifice. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:11.060 And that his justice has been satisfied. 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:21.300 So we are called to repent of our sins, and to trust in Christ, to receive forgiveness and eternal life. 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:27.019 And to understand that all of that comes to us not on the basis of our moral standing, 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:32.960 our personal merit, our religious performance, but because of God's grace. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:45.259 Having thought then about the man Zacchaeus, let's think about the meeting as we find it here in verses 5 to 7. 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:49.720 Again, to read God's Word is to discover that God loves to meet people, 00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:53.740 to call people, to save people in surprising places. 00:11:54.540 --> 00:11:58.160 People from surprising backgrounds in surprising places. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:08.679 Remember the call of God to Moses in the wilderness, in the desert area, as a shepherd, calling to him from a burning bush. 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:18.120 Or Jonah, encountering God's grace and salvation through the belly of a whale. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:24.340 And now we come to Zacchaeus, who meets his Savior while perched in a sycamore fig tree. 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:34.480 It's a wonderful reminder that God loves to save, and there's no barriers to when and how he will do that. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:38.899 Maybe some of us can relate to that in our own stories of how we came to faith. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.700 I remember praying and coming to faith in the back of an Audi. 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:47.780 This is a very revealing meeting between Jesus and Zacchaeus. 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:51.140 In verse 5, what do we learn about Jesus? 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:56.240 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:59.680 Zacchaeus, come down immediately. 00:13:00.520 --> 00:13:02.740 I must stay at your house today. 00:13:03.520 --> 00:13:05.660 Two things to notice about Jesus here. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:08.220 First, his complete knowledge. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:11.500 Jesus isn't from Jericho. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:17.279 He's passing through Jericho, but he'll look up a tree and know Zacchaeus. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:23.600 We sang Psalm 139, which spoke of God's absolute knowledge. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:27.580 There's no place to run or to escape from God's knowledge. 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:29.580 For the people of God, that's a great comfort. 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:33.059 Zacchaeus is discovering Jesus has the knowledge of God. 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:38.879 But also think about Jesus' will when he says to Zacchaeus, 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:41.919 I must stay at your house today. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:45.639 Jesus is saying, this is God's plan. 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:49.679 That I welcome you, Zacchaeus. 00:13:50.359 --> 00:13:55.119 That we share a meal as a sign that you are entering into fellowship. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:57.259 This is God's plan. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.560 This is God's plan. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:01.039 And providence leads to this point. 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:06.019 So that as Jesus is walking down this road, 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:10.799 Zacchaeus is able to find this tree and to climb this tree, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:15.179 to be up in the branches just as Jesus is ready to look up. 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:17.859 Because Jesus seeks and saves the lost. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.579 Jesus seeks and saves the one. 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.819 And the one. 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:22.879 And the one. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:25.699 So that's what we learn about Jesus. 00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:32.099 We also learn some important things about Zacchaeus in verse 6. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.099 Notice his response. 00:14:34.239 --> 00:14:39.079 He came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:41.939 Think about his action. 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:46.380 Here is immediate response. 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:52.880 Now he knows Jesus is a king of grace 00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:56.840 who would welcome a sinful person like him. 00:14:57.920 --> 00:15:02.260 He jumps at the chance to share fellowship with Jesus. 00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:04.540 Jesus is perfectly holy. 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.540 Zacchaeus is sinful. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:10.060 We might expect Zacchaeus to quake in terror, 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:11.900 but no grace draws him near. 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.620 How does he feel? 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:14.880 Zacchaeus? 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:18.280 We're told he welcomed him gladly. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:23.580 Luke loves to focus on joy as one of the marks of salvation. 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:30.440 Here is an early clue that Jesus has and will save Zacchaeus. 00:15:31.380 --> 00:15:35.780 He has this joyful response to God's invitation to God's work in Jesus. 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.779 He has this joyful response to God's work in Jesus. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.779 He has this joyful response to God's work in Jesus. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.779 He has this joyful response to God's work in Jesus. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:41.379 But we also learn something, too, about the crowds, don't we? 00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:42.620 Verse 7. 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:47.439 All the people saw this, and they began to mutter, 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:50.240 He's gone to be the guest of a sinner. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.000 Not so long ago, verse 43, 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.939 We found them praising God. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:58.700 Now they're grumbling and muttering. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.380 What's happened? 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.420 All of a sudden, they're offended by Jesus. 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:02.860 Why? 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:06.620 They're offended by His wide-open welcome, 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:11.300 by the fact that His kingdom seems too broad to them. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:15.460 They're offended by a Savior who loves the unlovely. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:18.620 They're offended by grace. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.440 So they speak the truth. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.120 Jesus has gone to be the guest of a sinner. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:27.139 Jesus welcomes sinners. 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:30.060 Their problem really lies in the fact 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:32.320 that they don't put themselves in that category. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:37.560 Rather, they feel they can stand above those 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:39.580 that they regard as sinners in their society. 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:43.620 The only way to enter into salvation 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:46.179 is through the low door of humility 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:49.639 to bow down and acknowledge, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:53.139 I need God's mercy because I'm a sinner. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.600 As we consider this meeting 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.399 as the sinless Son of God 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:05.279 welcomes and shares a meal with a public sinner, 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.160 in our hearts, 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:09.700 do we find ourselves glorifying God for His grace? 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.859 Or do we find ourselves puzzled 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.920 or perhaps even grumbling? 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:18.479 Jesus would have us to enter into joy, 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:20.779 to celebrate this reality, 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:24.000 to celebrate the reality of amazing grace. 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:28.539 Because a moment's honest reflection 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.659 would reveal to us 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:31.359 that we can never be good enough 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.699 for a perfectly holy God. 00:17:33.719 --> 00:17:35.319 Our only hope of salvation 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.159 is always to be dependent 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.759 on the work of God for us 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.739 through His Son, Jesus. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:42.900 And as we understand that, 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:46.339 then we never stop singing and celebrating. 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:50.440 It's as we grasp hold of amazing grace 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.980 that it gives us hope. 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:54.140 Hope as we pray for others. 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:58.640 Hope as we look to bear witness to God. 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.759 Here is where we find joy 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:03.079 in and through our trials, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.019 that there is grace upon grace. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:10.180 It's this grace that would welcome us 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:12.900 into life with God. 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:15.779 It represents our great hope 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.700 and our longing. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.799 Jesus wants us to enter 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.779 into the joy of fellowship with Him, 00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:26.559 into His warm welcome. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:28.659 Isn't it amazing that Jesus, 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.679 the King of love, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:32.899 still comes to meet with His people, 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.980 still comes to draw near, 00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:38.919 still comes to invite us into fellowship, 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:42.899 would still feed us richly 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:45.899 from His Word and by His grace. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:51.960 That's why we come with open hands. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:55.519 Every Sunday we come hungering and thirsting. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:58.960 To be reminded of the goodness of our God 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.819 in the Gospel. 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.019 That we'd be fed. 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:05.279 Every time we open our Bibles, 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:07.740 we're invited to receive 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:10.259 and to enjoy fresh supplies 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.919 of grace for our journey of faith. 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:17.859 Let's think lastly about the miracle. 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:20.500 Here in verses 8 to 10. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:24.500 One of the great privileges, I think, 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.420 of church ministry, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.759 or if you've got experience 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.920 of leading a small group, 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.000 or for us as elders, 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:34.180 as we welcome new church members, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.700 is we get to hear people's stories 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:39.059 of how God has worked in them 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:41.160 to draw them to faith in Jesus. 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:44.500 And it reminds us that God has endless variety. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.140 So some of us, 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.640 it will be because of family influence, 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:50.079 or perhaps because of some faithful friends 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.500 who prayed for us and cared for us 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.460 and taught us about Jesus. 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.920 For some of us, 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.640 it will be suffering that's brought us 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:57.440 to see our need of Jesus. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.599 Some of us, 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.220 it will be through reading books 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.240 or things on the internet. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:04.380 Others will have had a long search for truth, 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.079 while some, 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:06.339 it's been an instant response 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.779 to hearing a gospel message. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.700 God is not limited. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.700 God loves to save, 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.519 and He's not limited. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:16.779 I think stories like this 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.460 are an encouragement to us as Christians. 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.539 We have a story. 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:23.440 We have a story of God's grace. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.259 Every conversion story, 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.279 no matter how mundane it might seem to us, 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.779 is a miracle of God's grace. 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.319 And so we can celebrate it, 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:30.819 give thanks, 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:32.200 and we can share it with one another. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.200 Well, here we discover 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.279 how Zacchaeus' life is transformed 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:39.220 by meeting Jesus. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.360 Now, we see some evidence, 00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:43.220 and we hear Jesus' explanation. 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.140 Here's the evidence 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:48.960 of the change that Jesus has brought. 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.600 Verse 8, 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.400 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.240 Look, Lord, 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:55.519 here and now I give half of my possessions 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.360 to the poor, 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:59.400 and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:03.140 I will pay back four times the amount. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.579 I'm going to rephrase 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.860 one of the free church fathers, 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.700 Thomas Chalmers. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.480 He spoke in a sermon 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.460 in Glasgow City Center 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:12.200 about the expulsive power 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:14.200 of a new affection. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:16.600 The only thing that can drive out 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.500 our old loves 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.799 is the replacement 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.799 with a greater love. 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:19.980 Well, 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.100 we can think about it 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:23.840 as the explosive power 00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:25.620 of a new love 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:27.720 because grace goes off 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.660 like dynamite 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.680 in Zacchaeus' life. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.799 Instantly, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.299 we see that his idols 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.759 have been exploded. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.859 Because bear in mind, 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:38.480 up until going up the sycamore tree, 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.240 money was driving his life. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:43.640 He'd been cut off from society, 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.940 cut off from worship. 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:47.099 His source of identity 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.299 and purpose and hope 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.740 found him money. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.059 But now he discovers 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.519 that Jesus gives him 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.900 the love of God, 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.740 an invitation into fellowship 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.400 with God. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:22:00.340 the spell is broken. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.120 And he explodes 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.060 with generosity. 00:22:05.280 --> 00:22:06.320 We see justice 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:08.280 and we see love. 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:10.080 So picture the scene. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.660 Normally, 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.580 if people came 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:13.920 to Zacchaeus' tax booth, 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.400 that wouldn't be 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.300 a happy occasion. 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.700 It's never a happy occasion 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.500 to pay your taxes, 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.440 but especially 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.400 if you know 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.820 that you're going to 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:23.240 have some of your money 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.780 stolen. 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:26.119 But now as people come 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.279 to Zacchaeus' booth, 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.899 he's giving it away. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:31.019 I cheated you last week, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.399 have four times the amount. 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.359 He's not greedily 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.339 grabbing it anymore. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.059 He's gladly giving it. 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.440 Why? 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.879 Because Jesus transformed 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:39.279 his heart. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.500 He's found a greater love. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.980 Imagine how different 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.399 Jericho is going to feel 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:46.460 when they hear 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.660 of what's happening 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:49.139 in Zacchaeus. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:49.960 Again, 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.700 I think it reminds us 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.139 of the power 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.259 of public Christianity. 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.740 Here is a man 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.859 instantly standing up 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.160 here and now, 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.980 and he's publicly 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.759 living out his faith. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.119 And God has always 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.440 chosen to use that. 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.059 God has always 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.119 called his people 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.779 to have 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:09.420 a faith 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.299 that is magnetic. 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.539 So that while we 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.859 communicate the gospel, 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.660 we understand 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:17.879 that some will be repelled, 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.660 but others will be attracted. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.839 Not attracted to us, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.459 but attracted 00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:24.139 to the Lord Jesus. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.319 I think the story 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.000 of Zacchaeus 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.099 before meeting Jesus 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.019 also reminds us 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.399 about the pool 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.019 of money 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.279 on our hearts. 00:23:34.439 --> 00:23:35.519 Jesus recognized it 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.959 as perhaps 00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:37.679 the greatest temptation 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:39.000 to a false 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.859 kind of worship 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:41.679 that we would find 00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.559 our identity 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.339 and security 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.279 and happiness 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.799 in money, 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.299 in the things 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.419 that money can buy. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.619 Zacchaeus' story 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.059 is that money 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.799 promised much, 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.899 but failed to deliver. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.439 Yes, he had great wealth, 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.759 but he was clearly lonely 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.599 and longing 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:59.179 and looking for something more. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.299 His heart was restless 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.659 until it found its rest 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.399 in the love 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.619 of the Lord Jesus. 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.279 In Jesus, 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.720 we see there is freedom. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.879 Freedom from 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:12.779 false worship, 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.099 freedom from the idols 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:15.859 of our hearts. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.039 And there's freedom 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.759 when we understand 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.740 that Jesus delivers 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.019 on all his promises. 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.620 Jesus says, 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.099 I'll give you 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.920 a new identity, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.120 a secure identity 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.660 as a child of God 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.420 and that identity 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.480 will never be lost. 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.779 Jesus says, 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.400 I'll give you 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.480 the security 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.380 that you long for 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:34.259 because I'll forgive you. 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.099 I'll bring you 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.420 into the kingdom of God. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.039 I'll be with you always. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:41.139 In our quest for happiness, 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:41.960 Jesus says, 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.019 I'll give you joy, 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:45.240 the joy of knowing God, 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:48.319 the joy of eternal life. 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.599 Zacchaeus gets it. 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:51.399 So we see this lovely switch. 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.940 He's no longer 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.700 worshiping the God of money. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:57.640 Now he's worshiping God 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.460 with his money. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.500 It's the power 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:02.980 of transforming love. 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.000 And then let's hear 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.580 the explanation 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:07.200 that Jesus gives. 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.620 Verse 9, 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.640 Jesus said to him, 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.640 Today salvation 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.799 has come to this house 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.799 because this man too 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.759 is a son of Abraham. 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.299 But the son of man 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.039 came to seek 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.319 and to save the lost. 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.039 Salvation has come 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:22.200 because the Savior has come. 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.759 Jesus has come 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.079 on his mission of grace, 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.940 showing love for the lost, 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.779 for the outcast, 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.279 for the sinner. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.339 Jesus has come 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:32.460 to make the impossible possible. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.220 A couple of weeks ago, 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.819 we heard Jesus say 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.859 how hard it is 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.460 for the rich 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:39.200 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.940 And those who heard this 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.099 asked who then can be saved. 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.000 And Jesus replied, 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.779 What is impossible with man 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.799 is possible with God. 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.980 Now Jesus proves 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.960 that he is able to save 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:51.379 the rich who have their hearts 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:53.579 set on a false God. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.420 It's the explosive power 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.220 of God's love 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.920 to break down idols, 00:25:58.099 --> 00:26:00.420 to break apart hard hearts, 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:02.019 to make a person willing 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.640 and ready to receive 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.599 Jesus as Savior. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:07.920 So the son of man has come. 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.400 Remember that title 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.579 that speaks of Jesus 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.920 as God's glorious king. 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.720 So he has come 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.019 as God's king of glory 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.879 and he's turned Zacchaeus too 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.779 into a son, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.460 a son of Abraham. 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.700 He's been brought 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:23.460 into the family of faith. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.900 If we could ask Zacchaeus, 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.660 Zacchaeus, 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.700 why did you climb that tree? 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.960 Nobody climbs trees. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.660 Zacchaeus, 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.500 why did you answer 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.660 Jesus' invitation? 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.640 Zacchaeus, 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.779 why did you gladly 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.900 practice generosity 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.819 and give so much 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.720 of your money away? 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:45.500 Perhaps he would answer, 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.500 I did what I did 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:48.839 because love came to town. 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.980 And if we could ask Jesus, 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:56.339 why did you stop again 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:58.100 to show grace 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:59.319 to another outcast? 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.940 To ask Jesus, 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.740 why are you going 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.740 on the road to Jerusalem 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.940 to die on the cross? 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.960 To ask Jesus, 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.680 why are you still 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.440 extending grace today 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:14.000 all around the world? 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.160 His answer, 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.180 I did what I did 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:22.100 and I do what I do 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.759 so that God's love 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.559 would come 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.779 to hearts 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.620 and to lives 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:29.460 because the son of man 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.319 came to seek 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.299 and to save the lost. 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.340 If we know that 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.940 to be true by experience, 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:38.000 let's praise God. 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.100 And if not, 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.660 let's praise God. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.100 Let's praise God. 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.380 Let's praise God.