The Little Man

Introduction

I know some of the stories surrounding how someone became a follower of Jesus. The history of seeking those who do not know Jesus has changed. The days of door knocking campaigns and gospel meetings while still existing do not exist in the abundance any longer. We have moved from talking to neighbors to not knowing who our neighbors are. We have shifted from believing that we are sinners to thinking that most people are good. While there is some good in most, there is sin in each one that only through Jesus can be forgiven. The reality is that every person is selfish, prideful, and fallen. Jesus is the one who has dealt with our sin and he is the one who calls us to follow him.

A drowning person needs rescuing. Trapped in a burning house, occupants need saving. Those who are dying need healing. The enslaved needs deliverance. For us who sit here this morning, someone took the time to introduce us to Jesus. For many of us it was our parents or some other family member. Our faith is not private. It is intended to be shared. And when shared with someone who needs to be rescued, saved, healed, and delivered what we have to share is good news. We can be free—free from sin, guilt, burdens and we can find joy, peace, and mercy in a world that is so enslaving and without grace.

We want all to know Jesus. We want all to find mercy. We want all to be saved. We want all to be in relationship with the God who forgives. Jesus changed my life and he can change yours. Struggles still remain but with God’s mercy and strength we know that this life has purpose—to live a life demonstrating God’s mercy and to point others to the God who saves. There is nothing—absolutely nothing—that you have done that God cannot and will not forgive. What must you do? Admit your sin. Admit your helplessness. Seek a change in mind and the way you live. Give yourself to baptism. This is God’s way of demonstrating that like Jesus who died in order to carry out God’s will, you, too, are dying to your current life so that you can allow God’s will to lead you. In that burial in water, you come up out of that water to live a new life—a life of mercy and godliness with a new heart set on honoring God.

Someone took the time to explain that to you at some point in your life. Someone took the time to make sure that you understood what God wanted from you and how he wanted to make you his son or daughter. Someone made sure that knowing these things that it was time for a decision. We are thankful for those people. At the end of our assembly you will have an opportunity to respond to this God. Imagine how different your life would be if that person had not taken the time to show you Jesus. You have received mercy to share. Share it.

Big Problems for a Small Man

Jesus is heading to Jerusalem. He knows what is coming. He is going to be betrayed and nailed to a cross like a criminal. But the anticipation and expectation of Jerusalem does not distract him in Jericho. There is a man who is not respected in Jericho. Disliked by most; he longs to see Jesus. He has two problems—there is a large crowd surrounding Jesus and he cannot get through the crowd to Jesus. The second problem is that he is short and so he cannot see over the crowd. So his solution is to run ahead of the crowd and he climbs a tree to get a look at Jesus. There is nothing in the text to suggest that he wanted to talk with Jesus, just wanted to see him.

But as Jesus comes near the tree he looks up. We are not told how Jesus knows this man’s name but he calls to Zacchaeus. Come down. I’m staying with you today. The idea is not a short visit but an all day visit. Details are left out. But there is more than Zacchaeus and Jesus spending the day together. You can imagine that Zacchaeus invites family, associates together to spend the day. And at the end of the day, Zacchaeus makes an announcement.

I am a changed man. Starting today half of my wealth is going to the poor. And those who I have cheated—which was common practice in that day—I am going to repay four times. This goes well beyond what was required. But Zacchaeus is putting his money where his mouth is. A changed man gives more than is required. In direct contrast to the rich ruler, Zacchaeus is glad to show his dependence on God. Jesus pronounces that Zacchaeus is a true child of Abraham which is a way of saying that he is truly demonstrating what it means to belong to God’s people.

Two Lessons

There are two lessons. The first is the focus of verse 7. The crowd surrounding Jesus is offended that Jesus would go and spend the day with Zacchaeus. We are told that the crowd’s reaction is based on their view of who deserves to be with Jesus. Zacchaeus was despised. He was known for his cheating; being a thief; his job was to take money from others and in the process he charged a fee for his work. Problem—he charged more than he had to and often charged excessively because he could. If there is anyone who deserved to be left out from God’s plan it was Zacchaeus. But that is exactly who Jesus wanted to be with.

We too have our internal list of people that doesn’t deserve to be with Jesus. We may even think eternal separation from God is too good for them. We want good folks to be with God. Folks who only have to change a little. Folks who are like us in terms of morals and values.

But Jesus over and over again went to those who needed deliverance, rescuing, healing, and saving. Jesus wanted to talk to the outcast because no one else wanted to talk to them. Don’t we want to be like Jesus?

Like Jesus we reach out to the despised; the ridiculed; those who have been cut-off; those who have less. We sit at lunch with the one no one else wants to sit with. We speak at work to the one everyone shuns. Because it is more important to be like Jesus than to worry about what others think. That is what Jesus did for Zacchaeus. Don’t you want to be like Jesus?

The second lesson has to do with repentance. Zacchaeus demonstrates for us what real repentance looks like. It involves trying to make things right. One cannot undo what has been done but one can make changes so that what has been done wrong is not repeated.

The single person who exchanged a few moments of passion and acceptance sexually cannot retrieve their chastity but they can because of repentance live a life of purity from this day forward.

The person who has held a grudge for so long cannot undo the past but they can release their anger and bitterness and seek reconciliation.

The person who has greedily approached life will through repentance become more of a giver than a taker.

The person who has used other people in order to satisfy selfish desires will because of repentance learn to serve others.

The addict will through repentance learn to give up dependence upon the drug of choice and learn to depend upon God.

Repentance means to make changes. Like Zacchaeus, when one spends time with Jesus and understands that life must change, there is not only a change of heart and mind but a change in actions. This same Jesus is calling to you and if you are willing you can invite him to spend today, tomorrow, and all time with you. He has come to set you free, save you and deliver you.

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