“The Civility Of Jesus”
Part 4, “The Civility Of An Invitation”
Luke 19:1-10
Part 4, “The Civility Of An Invitation”
Luke 19:1-10
Luke 18:31-34, “Gathering the twelve disciples around him, Jesus told them, ‘As you know, we are going to Jerusalem. And when we get there, all the predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Romans to be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33 They will whip him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.’ 34 But they didn’t understand a thing he said. Its significance was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.” NLT
I. The Most Hated Man In Town
Luke 19:1-2, “Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich.”
II. The Day That Changed Everything
Luke 19:3, “He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.”
Luke 19:5-6, “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today. 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.”
Luke 19:8, “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.”
III. Lessons From A Tree Climber
A. Crowds Do Not Rule
Luke 19:7, “But the crowds were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled.”
B. Jesus Came Looking For Zacchaeus
C. Jesus’ Invitation Changed Zacchaeus’ Life
Luke 19:8, “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’ 9 Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.’”
D. Jesus Came To Seek And Save The Lost
Luke 19:10, “And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”