Our Mission Is People 2 (Luke 19)

We have been looking at different stories to help us understand our mission. Today, we're diving into the story of Zacchaeus, found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 1 through 10. I want us to focus on the fact that the mission is people and how we need to take time to develop our relationships with others.

I. Setting the Scene

Let's paint the picture: Jericho. A bustling city, a place of commerce, and a crossroads of cultures. Here we find Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector. Now, tax collectors in those times weren't just unpopular; they were despised, seen as traitors, collaborating with the Roman oppressors. They were the outcasts, the ones you'd avoid at the market, the ones you'd talk about in hushed, scornful tones. Zacchaeus was wealthy, sure, but at what cost? His wealth came at the expense of his relationships, his reputation, and perhaps, his own sense of self-worth.

Imagine, then, the buzz in Jericho as news spread that Jesus, the miracle worker, the teacher, the one some dared to call the Messiah, was passing through. Picture Zacchaeus, curious yet shunned, determined yet small in stature, trying to catch a glimpse of this Jesus. His desperation to see Jesus speaks volumes, doesn't it? It's a hunger, a yearning for something more, something true, something life-changing. And in this setting, amidst the crowds, the murmurs, and the dusty roads of Jericho, our story unfolds.

II. Zacchaeus' Desire and Action (1-4)

Luke 19:1–4 (ESV) — 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Here's where our story takes an interesting turn. Zacchaeus, this man of status, this chief tax collector, is faced with a problem: he's short, and the crowd is thick. But Zacchaeus doesn't let that stop him. He runs ahead and climbs a sycamore tree. Now, let's pause here and think about this. A wealthy, respected man climbing a tree? That's not just unusual; it's undignified. It's desperate. But isn't that just like us when we're truly seeking something more in life? When we're hungry for a real encounter with a solution to our problems? We put aside our pride, our status, and we do what it takes to see.

Zacchaeus climbing that tree is a powerful image. It's a picture of overcoming barriers, of pushing past the crowd of our doubts, fears, and insecurities. It's about getting a clearer view of Jesus. Friends, sometimes we need to climb our own sycamore trees. We need to rise above the noise and distractions of this world to see Jesus more clearly.

III. Jesus' Response and Invitation (5)

Luke 19:5 (ESV) — 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”

And then, in that moment, something incredible happens. Jesus stops right under that tree and looks up. He sees Zacchaeus. He calls him by name. 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.' Can you imagine the shock, the awe, the wonder in Zacchaeus' heart? Jesus, this rabbi, this healer, this man who speaks with authority, wants to spend time with him? A tax collector? An outcast?

But that's just like Jesus, isn't it? He sees us. He knows us by name. And He invites Himself into our lives, into our messy, imperfect, broken lives. Jesus doesn't wait for Zacchaeus to come down. He doesn't wait for him to get his act together. He meets him right where he is, up in that tree, and He offers grace and fellowship. This is our Savior, folks. This is the heart of our mission. To see people. To know them by name. To invite ourselves into their lives with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

IV. Transformation of Zacchaeus (6-8)

Luke 19:6–8 (ESV) — 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

So, Zacchaeus scrambles down from that tree, and he stands face to face with Jesus. The crowd murmurs, they're displeased. 'He's going to be the guest of a sinner?' they whisper. But Zacchaeus, he's undeterred. Standing there, in the presence of Jesus, something profound happens within him. He's moved, he's changed. Zacchaeus declares, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.'

This, my friends, is a picture of true repentance. It's not just words; it's action. It's a heart transformed. Zacchaeus doesn't just say he's sorry; he shows it. He goes beyond what the law requires. This is evidence of genuine faith, a faith that produces fruit, a faith that changes lives. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the outcast, becomes Zacchaeus, the generous, the just, the follower of Jesus.

But let's not miss the crucial point here. This transformation, it didn't start with Zacchaeus. It started with Jesus. Jesus entered his life, and that's when the change began. This is the heart of our message, the core of our belief. When Jesus enters our lives, we face a choice – to stay the same or to embrace transformation. To hold onto our self-righteousness or to fall at the feet of grace.

Zacchaeus chose to let go of everything that defined him – his wealth, his status, his past – and he found something far greater. He found salvation. 'Today salvation has come to this house,' Jesus declares. Notice, Jesus doesn't say, 'because you gave to the poor' or 'because you restored what you took.' No, salvation came because Zacchaeus received Jesus, because he put his faith in Him, because he turned his heart toward him and away from his money.

This is our story too. We are all Zacchaeus. We all have our sycamore trees, our wealth, our status, our sins. But when Jesus enters our lives, we're faced with a decision. Will we cling to our self-righteousness, or will we embrace His righteousness? Will we continue in our old ways, or will we step into a new life of faith and repentance?

When we choose Jesus, when we choose to let Him transform our hearts, that's when we find true salvation. That's when we move from death to life, from lost to found, from blind to seeing. This is the power of Christ in our lives (Col 2:8-10), and it's the message we are called to share with the world.

Colossians 2:8–10 (ESV) — 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

V. Lessons on Our Mission

Having witnessed the remarkable transformation in Zacchaeus' life, let's draw out some vital lessons for our own mission. Firstly, we're called to embrace the outcasts, just as Jesus did.

Seeing Beyond the Crowd

Zacchaeus had to climb that tree to see Jesus. He had to rise above the crowd – a crowd that likely included the self-righteous, the skeptics, and those who couldn't see past their own judgments. In our lives, this crowd can take many forms: the voices of doubt, the pressures of society, the echo of past failures, or the sneer of self-righteousness “Christians” around us.

To climb our sycamore tree means to actively seek Jesus, to elevate our perspective above these hindrances. It's about being so desperate to see Jesus that we're willing to be undignified, to do what's unconventional, to step out of our comfort zones. It's about not letting the 'crowd' – be it others' opinions or our own insecurities – block our view of Christ.

If we are totally honest, we care entirely too much about what other people think and what they might say. I told my children that the two most important questions to overlook are, “What will people think?” and “What will people say?” If we let the thoughts of others rule our lives, we will not get anywhere.

Embracing Desperation and Humility

There's something beautifully raw and real about Zacchaeus' desperation. In climbing that tree, he showed a humility that said, 'I need to see Jesus more than I need to maintain my dignity.' In our walk with God, there comes a time when we must embrace this kind of desperation and humility. We need to acknowledge our deep need for Jesus, recognizing that without Him, we are lost.

Some of you have been coming here a long time and you just can’t find the guts to come forward. I know what you are going through because I was you at one point in my life. But, surprisingly, this doesn’t have to be a big show. You can tell your friend or neighbor your decision and be baptized at any time. The important thing is your willingness to see Jesus and accept him when he offers to come into your life. He’s knocking at the door right now.

This act of climbing our sycamore tree is not a one-time event. It's a daily decision to seek Jesus, to look beyond the distractions and barriers, and to pursue a genuine encounter with Him. It's about allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, to admit our need, and to reach out for His grace.

Personal Transformation Leads to Societal Change

Zacchaeus' transformation had ripple effects. His change of heart led to justice and generosity, impacting his community. Likewise, when we climb our sycamore tree, when we allow Jesus to transform us, it doesn't just change us; it changes the world around us. Our transformation becomes a testimony, a beacon of hope and love to those still in the crowd. If a filthy tax collector can be forgiven, who is God unwilling to forgive?

So, as we reflect on Zacchaeus' story, let's ask ourselves: What is the barrier to me seeing Jesus and what is my sycamore tree? How can I rise above to see Jesus more clearly? When he comes we must ask, “How can my transformed life impact those around me?” Remember, our mission is about people – about seeing them, reaching them, and loving them, just as Jesus does.

VI. Embracing Outsiders

As we've journeyed through Zacchaeus' story, we've seen the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace. Now, it's time to bring this into our own lives, into our community. We're called to embrace the outsiders, the outcasts, the 'Zacchaeuses' of our world, and to witness how the gospel of Jesus can powerfully work in their lives – and in turn, transform our community.

There are people who could be the marginalized in our society, those struggling with addictions, the lonely elderly, the overlooked youth, or even the neighbor or classmate who just doesn't fit in. These are the people Jesus would seek out. These are the ones He calls us to love.

But how do we do this? How do we truly embrace the outsiders? It starts with seeing them – really seeing them – not as projects, but as people loved by God. It's about building genuine relationships, showing interest in their lives, listening to their stories.

Practical Ways to Engage

1. Invite and Include: Zacchaeus opened his home to Jesus and his disciples. We need to make our homes, our tables, and our church gatherings places of welcome and inclusion. Invite someone who might feel like an outsider to dinner, to a church service, or to a small group meeting.
2. Listen and Learn: Jesus gave Zacchaeus the time of day. He could have walked by and ignored him, but he didn’t. We also need to take time to listen to their stories, their struggles, and their perspectives. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.
3. Offer Practical Help: Sometimes, embracing an outsider means meeting their practical needs. It could be helping with groceries, offering a ride, or assisting in job searches. Zacchaeus found someone who needed help and gave them physical help. He sold what he had and found people in need. Then he gave them what they needed. We must be careful not to love our money more than we love people.
4. Pray for Opportunities: Ask God to open your eyes to the outsiders around you and to give you the courage and wisdom to reach out.

As we engage with the outsiders in our lives, let's remember that it's not about us 'fixing' them. It's about us being the hands and feet of Jesus, allowing His love to flow through us. It's about creating a space where the transformative power of the gospel can do its work.

The Ripple Effect

When we embrace the outsiders, something beautiful happens. Lives are transformed, barriers are broken, and our community becomes a reflection of God's kingdom. It's not just about changing their lives; it's about changing ours too. As we reach out, as we love, as we serve, we find ourselves transformed, becoming more like Jesus.

So, let's step out in faith, let's climb our sycamore trees, and let's embrace the outsiders. Let's watch in awe as Jesus' gospel powerfully works to transform lives, including our own, and our community. This is our mission, this is our calling, and this is the heart of the gospel."

VII. Conclusion and Call to Action

"In closing, as we reflect on Zacchaeus' story, we're reminded that our mission is about people – about seeing them, embracing them, and being transformed alongside them through the power of Jesus Christ. It's about climbing our sycamore trees, rising above our own barriers, and actively seeking a deeper relationship with our Savior.

But perhaps there are some here today, some listening, who haven't yet made that choice to let Jesus into their lives, who haven't experienced the joy of repentance and the freedom of salvation. If that's you, know that Jesus is calling your name, just as He called Zacchaeus. He's inviting Himself into your life, ready to transform your heart and your world.

So, if you're ready to step into a life of faith, to turn away from your past and embrace a future with Jesus, I invite you to pray with me. Let's open our hearts to His grace, His love, and His transformative power. And for all of us, let's commit to being a community that loves unconditionally, that reaches out to the outsiders, and that lives out the gospel in our everyday lives.

Let's pray together, and let's walk out these doors ready to live out our mission, with hearts open to the transformative work of Jesus in us and through us."