Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! 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. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated 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 true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

I’d venture to say that most of the people who read my blog have heard this story a thousand times. It’s a staple in Sunday School. Cute songs about short people and all. Now that we’re all grown up, what is there to learn from these 10 verses?

First, Zacchaeus had to overcome the obstacles that blocked him from Jesus. In this case, it was physical - Zacchaeus was too short to see Jesus over the crowd - but what are the things keeping you and me from reaching Jesus? Zacchaeus had to climb a tree to see Jesus. What do we need to do? Make time to read the bible? Stop using the computer in private? Step out on faith in trusting what God has called us to do?

Second, Jesus hung out with sinners right where they were. The bible says that Zacchaeus was a “notorious sinner”. Jesus didn’t require Zacchaeus to change his ways before Jesus poured into his life. Reaching the lost is messy business, but it’s what Jesus left us here to do (see point five). Jesus met people right where they were, through their greed, selfishness, unbelief, addictions and all. That’s where we need to meet people today.

Third, people didn’t like it! People were displeased with Jesus for doing his work. If people were upset with Jesus’ ministry, why are we surprised when people complain about us reaching people for Jesus today? In a perfect world, everyone would get along and we’d sing Journey songs and roast marshmallows around a campfire, but that’s not the way it works. Jesus turned everything on its head, and people resented him for it. When you make it your business to show people the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, people WILL oppose you. It’s part of the job description. Get used to it.

Fourth, Jesus changed Zacchaeus’ life! When Zacchaeus came face to face with Jesus, his life was changed. He gave half his wealth to the poor, and paid back those he cheated four times. Jesus then told him salvation had come to his house that day. When people come face to face with Jesus, their lives are changed. WE don’t change their lives, JESUS does. It’s our job to bring Jesus to the world.

Fifth, we see the mission of Jesus. This passage ends with one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. “For the son of man came to seek and save those who are lost.” That was the mission of Jesus. That is our mission today.

I am here to seek and save those who are lost.