What a Message! Topic: Trusting and Obeying as we surrender our all to Jesus. Text: Luke 19:1-10 KJV [1] 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 sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it , they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. The encounter that led to the salvation of Zacchaeus gives us a clue about the saving power of the Saviour. Indeed He came to seek and to save the lost (the backslidden, and all who have fallen and come short of the glory of God). It reveals to us that even the rich man can be saved, if he is ready to lay down his wealth. It reveals and answers the question that If such rich man is willing to lay down the totality of himself, and his wealth for the sake of Christ; salvation is a possibility to such a soul. Matthew 19:23-24 KJV [23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Also we must note that; Jesus did not say a rich man cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven but he says it will be hard or difficult for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom. Friends! Like Zaachaeus, when we come to the end of ourselves, then we come to the beginning of a genuine relationship with God. The greatest challenge to our Christian faith, [by this I mean our daily relationship with God] is not the devil but our conscious effort to surrender ourselves, our plans, our desires, our ways, for his divine will and purpose. The victory of Jesus Christ upon the cross was his obedience to the Fathers will even unto death. Philippians 2:5-8 KJV [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Jesus Christ was conscious not to pursue His desires but would always declare, not my will but let Your Will be done. The little knowledge Zacchaeus had about Jesus was enough to convince him to trust his entire life to Jesus Christ and His saving power. Trusting and obeying God is a two sided parallel coin. We cannot trust Him and not obey Him and we cannot obey Him without trusting Him. 5. Hindrances to Trusting and Obeying. 1. The pressure of our position. Zaachaeus as a chief of the tax-collectors was occupying a prominent office, yet he laid it down. 2. The pressure of possession. In fact in his true desire of a genuine repentance he was willing to give half of his wealth to the poor and still pay back 4 times to whoever he has cheated in his office. He has gathered so much wealth by a corrupt practice in his office; how I wish our leaders can have a genuine heart of repentance like Zaachaeus. Yet he was conscious to know that although he can live a comfortable life as a rich man with his wealth, yet his wealth cannot secure his salvation and relationship with God. 3. The pressure of the crowd. Zaachaeus was seen by the crowd as a sinner; he was a Jew by birth, a child of the Abrahamic covenant but yet his people labelled him as a [sinner] and treated him as an outcast, because of his relationship with the Roman Empires who he reports to by virtue of his tax-collectors office. Yet, he never gave up on himself & when the perfect opportunity for his inner desire to change came, he seized it by laying down his position and possessions to get his salvation. 4. The pressure of the stature. As a little sized man, it baffles me, on how the heart of Zaachaeus is not only corrupt but wicked. I mean for the entire crowd to hate him, he must have really been a terror. Friends! Is not the size, tall, short, big, slim, beautiful or ugly; the devil can corrupt the destiny of any man like Zaacheaus except there is a divine intervention that guarantees salvation and restoration of such destiny: just as Zaachaeus was saved and restored back as the Covenant child of Abraham. 5. The pressure of our past. If you will reach out to the future, you must forget the past. 4. Benefits of Trusting and Obeying. Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 1. Salvation - Total liberation was given not just to him but also to his household. As notorious as Zaachaeus must have been, no body heard about him until he had an encounter with Christ. Indeed one moment of encounter was enough to make his life count and also announce him eternally as one who encountered salvation. 2. A change in character. Zaachaeus had a renewed character by virtue of his encounter with Christ; for he was willing to give half of his wealth to the poor and was ready to pay back 4 times to anybody he has cheated in his years of service while at office. 3. He received a restored heritage. Zaachaeus was restored back as a child of the Abrahamic covenant. 4. A change of service. I dont believe Zaachaeus went back to the tax-collectors job. Think of how frustrated his bosses must have been when their most trusted allay, has refunded to the people 4 times from all he has cheated and stolen from them. The Romans will not only accept it but terminate his service since he will no longer conform to their corrupt system. Prayer! Our Father in Heaven; I thank thee for the truth of your Word today, I come to you as Zaachaeus that seeks for a genuine repentance and restoration of my destiny as a covenant child of Abraham. I lay down my heart, my will, my position and possessions and I pray that you will save me by the blood of the Lamb and keep me through Your Spirit as your covenant child in Jesus name Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:03:13 +0000
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