## Why Did Jesus Come?

## Luke 19:1-10

This morning we had our Sunday School Christmas program. At this time of the year our thoughts are focused upon the Christmas Story. Last Sunday afternoon I preached a message at the nursing home on "Why Jesus Came to Earth". In the message I noted several reason why Jesus Christ came into this world. This morning I want us to think in simple terms. That isn't hard for us is it? No major theological discussions; no debate of the particulars of the Christmas story; just a simple answer to a simple question. Why did Jesus come into this world? The answer is found at the end of our text passage this morning. Read: Luke 19:1-10

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Most of us have heard the story of Zacchaeus. Perhaps we have even sung the song about this 'wee little man'. This morning I want us to consider this familiar passage and what it has to say to us concerning why Jesus came.

I. Who Was Zacchaeus?

A. He was a 'Publican'

1. A publican was a hated individual.

2. He was a Jew who served as a tax collector for the Roman government.

3. This meant that he was an outcast among his own people.

B. He was wealthy.

1. Not only was he a Publican, but he was 'the chief among publicans'.

2. As such he took for himself a portion of all the taxes he collected.

3. He was rich with this world's goods, but he was morally and spiritually bankrupt.

4. He had it all, but he didn't have the peace and satisfaction of knowing Jesus Christ.

C. We can have job security, financial security, and social security; but without eternal security there is no peace!

II. What Zacchaeus Did.

A. He sought to see Jesus.

1. Because he was a man of 'little stature' and couldn't see around the crowd; he climbed up into a sycamore tree.

2. Now we aren't told why this publican wanted to see Jesus.

3. What could have motivated him to do such a thing?

B. Allow me a bit of liberty and let's imagine what might have caused this man to literally climb up a tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus.

1. Imagine if you will the time when he was seated comfortably in his office when a young protégé came hurriedly through his door…it was Matthew.

2. Matthew had shown great promise in this difficult job.

3. He had become quite adept at forcing every last shekel out of the folks along his tax route.

4. But Matthew no longer wanted anything to do with tax-collecting.

5. Listen to the conversation that may have taken place between them.

a. Zacchaeus, sir…I am here to tender my resignation.

b. I no longer am able to fulfill my duties as a tax gatherer.

c. Why? What has happened?

d. Well, sir…I was busy about my business and Jesus passed by.

e. As He looked at me, it was clear that there was something different about Him…it was like He looked right through me.

f. He saw me as I was, but I saw in His eyes that He loved me! Right then I fell down before Him and placed my faith in Him, as the true Son of God.

g. He called me to follow Him, and I knew that I could no longer continue to be a tax collector.

h. What did you say his name was? His name was Jesus!

6. Zacchaeus was amazed that Matthew, who had shown such promise, would give up all the riches that would be his only to follow after some itinerant preacher.

7. He decided that he would have to take up the slack and collect the tax from Matthew's clients.

8. His first stop was in Mark 5.

a. He walked up to the small house and knocked upon the door.

b. A small frail woman came to the door with barely enough strength to speak.

c. He demanded her tax bill be paid.

d. She explained that she had no money, she had spent it all on doctors, but they had not been able to cure her blood disease.

e. Zacchaeus had little time for her sob story…and demanded the bill be paid.

f. I will return soon, and you had better have the money ready!

9. The next stop was across the Sea of Galilee and a house near the shore.

a. As he approached the door he looked through the window and saw several children wide-eyed and frightened.

b. A woman came to the door, an obvious victim of abuse.

c. He introduced himself and demanded the tax payment owed.

d. She explained that she had no money, her husband had lost him mind and couldn't hold down a job; in fact he had left her and the children and was living in the cemetery now. He was a wild man, who would howl at night and cry out with horrible screams.

e. The children were scared that he might come home and beat them as before.

f. Zacchaeus was unmoved by her situation and warned that if she couldn't come up with payment when he returned he would have to take her children to be sold as slaves to pay the debt.

g. He left thinking everyone had a story…why couldn't they just pay up and make his life easier?

10. His next stop would be Luke 18.

a. As he neared this little home, there sitting alone near the roadside was his next client.

b. His name was Bartimaeus.

c. He asked for payment, but Bartimaeus began to explain…I was born blind, I have no family, I cannot work, there is no money.

d. Zacchaeus was growing weary with all of these excuses.

e. He simply told him, pay up or when I return be ready for prison.

11. It was getting late, but he thought he had time for one more stop…John 11.

a. Here was a modest home in the small town of Bethany.

b. As the woman came to answer the door, Zacchaeus noticed her eyes were red from weeping.

c. He braced himself for yet another sad story of why they couldn't pay their taxes.

d. It seemed that there had been a recent death in the family.

e. Mary and Martha had relied upon their brother Lazarus to take care of the finances, but he had fallen ill and had died

f. With his patience nearly at an end, he told two sisters, pay up or be ready to sign over the deed to their home, the taxes would be paid or else!

12. Frustrated and all the more determined, Zacchaeus headed back in a just a few weeks to collect the taxes from each of these individuals.

a. Back at Mark 5, he knocked on the door and wondered if the poor lady was still alive.

1) A beautiful, vibrant woman answered the door.

2) I'm sorry, is your mother home?

3) My mother? Oh, I remember you…you're Zacchaeus the tax collector; just a moment and I will get you your money.

4) Excuse me, but what happened to the other lady?

5) That was me…but I am all better now; I have a job now and I am able to take care of things.

6) But…how…what…??

7) Oh, you see I heard that Jesus was coming nearby, and I summoned all my strength to get to Him.

8) I was just barely able to reach Him, but when I touched the hem of His garment…His love and strength filled me immediately.

9) I was wonderfully healed and I placed my faith in Jesus Christ!

10) Now everything is different!

b. Shaking his head as he walked away, Zacchaeus couldn't believe what had just happened…he made his way across the Sea of Galilee and approached the home near the sea side.

1) He was nearing the door when a good looking man carrying two little children came around the corner of the house.

2) Excuse me sir, I was looking for the lady of the house.

3) Oh you mean my wife, she told me that you would be coming back soon.

4) Here is the money we owe you.

5) What??? How???

6) I suppose you are wondering what happened around here, well I was up in the graveyard, and I met a man named Jesus.

7) He cast the demons out of me, and made me whole again.

8) Now I have my mind back, and my family!

9) I trusted Jesus Christ and He changed my life completely!

c. Was this some kind of joke? Could it be a coincidence? On his way back to Jericho he stopped by old blind Bartimaeus' home.

1) Bartmaeus welcomed him in, and showed him to a seat.

2) You are looking a bit dismayed Zacchaeus, are you feeling alright?

3) Looking?? How do you know how I look? You are blind, always have been and always will be!

4) Oh that is what I thought too, but then I met Jesus!

5) I cried out to Him and asked for mercy…but He gave me more than mercy…He restored my sight and gave me eternal life!

6) And, by the way, here is the money… now I have a job and can pay you what is owed.

d. By now, Zacchaeus' head is spinning. He stops by Mary and Martha's house in Bethany on his way home.

1) Cautiously he approaches the front door, only to be met by a friendly voice.

2) Hi, my name's Lazarus, can I help you?

3) No! It can't be! How could it be?

4) You must be Zacchaeus, my sisters said you would be stopping by for the tax payment.

5) But…but…but…

6) Yes, I was dead, but Jesus…

7) At that point Zacchaeus runs from the house and enters into the city of Jericho only to find a crowd of people, and Jesus is there.

(Luke 19:1-4) "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. {2} And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. {3} And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. {4} And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way."

C. Did it happen just that way?

1. Probably not, but something motivated this tax-collector to want to see Jesus.

2. The Bible states that he wanted "…to see Jesus who He was…"

3. He wanted to see Jesus!

III. What Zacchaeus Saw.

A. He saw that Jesus saw him!

1. He wanted to see Jesus, but when he looked at Him, he saw that Jesus was looking back!

2. The Bible tells us that God sees us exactly as we are.

3. We may try to put on a front for others to see, but God looks upon our hearts.

4. This morning, Jesus sees each of us, right where we are.

B. He saw that Jesus knew him!

1. He called him by name.

2. Our God is an all-knowing or omniscient God.

3. He knows everything there is to know about us.

4. Some of you may think you know me, but only God knows my heart and my thoughts.

C. He saw that Jesus loved him!

1. While the rest of society wanted nothing to do with Zacchaeus.

2. To them he was loathsome…

3. To Jesus, he was a sinner who needed to be loved.

4. Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful?

(Rom 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

IV. What Did Zacchaeus Do?

A. He received Christ with joy.

B. He truly repented of his sin.

C. He sought to make things right with all who he had wronged.

D. He believed in Jesus Christ, and that made all the difference in the world.

E. Why did Jesus come?

(Luke 19:10) "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

This morning, is your life empty and unfulfilled? Let Jesus fill your life…let Him satisfy every need. Receive Him with joy today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved!

Are you wondering why Jesus came into this world? Why was the babe born in the manger nearly 2000 years ago? That men and women; boys and girls might be saved.

(John 20:21) "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

(Luke 19:10) "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

(Thanks to Bruce Humbert for the basic outline and idea for this message)