Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Sept/64

Contributor - G. Rezelman

Title - Jesus Seeks and Saves the Lost

Topic -Zaccheus

"FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST." Luke 19 : 1-10

We have here a Bible story which is bound to be of interest not only to adults, but also to the boys and girls. Every boy and girl has at some time or another climbed into a tree to gee a parade which was passing by, all because they were very curious and anxious to see. Would we climb into a tree if Jesus were passing by? Zaccheus did.

Jesus was entering Jericho for the last time before His Triumphal Entry. Jericho was the first city taken by Joshua at the conquest of Canaan. Zaccheus was a Chief Publican, which means Tax-collector. He was rich. His name means "just" and "pure". But his character and life belied his name. He was not Just and Pure.

This man heard of Jesus' coming and he sought to see Him. But he could not, for he too short of stature. This was a serious handicap. Therefore he climbed into the tree. As Jesus passed by under the tree He called out: "Zaccheus, come down." The man responded and came down. In the verses 8-10 we read how Zaccheus became a converted man. After his conversion he said: "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch 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." From this wonderful record we learn the truth that SALVATION COMES TO SINNERS WHO WILL RESPOND TO GOD'S CALL. Let us consider this Call from both God's and Man',s viewpoints (cf. John 6 : 37).

1. GOD'S CALL TO, SINNERS

1. THE CALL WAS A PERSONAL CALL.

"Zaccheus, come down." Notice that he was called by Name. That was most startling to Zaccheus. Why did Jesus call h i m, b y n a m e ? The answer is that Jesus always calls His Own sheep by name. "He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out" (John 10 : 3). Perhaps He is calling someone by name today, Do your hear Him call? Do you hear Him call your name ?

2. THE CALL, WAS AN URGENT CALL.

He told him to "make haste". If we were called to claim a great treasure would we not make haste? Salvation is an urgent matter. Of Nicodemus we read that he went out "by night" to see Jesus because he did not want to wait until the next morning. His business required haste. When Jesus spoke to the rich man about eternity He said: "This night thy soul shall be required of thee." We know not how long God will allow us to remain here. Delay is dangerous. The call is Urgent

3. THE CALL WAS TO A SINNER.

Those who criticized Jesus said that He "was gone in to lodge with a man that was a sinner". But, was that so strange? Jesus had come to seek and to save sinners. Therefore He went to him and saved him,. To a woman in adultery He said: "Go thy way ... sin no more." Yes, Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners. He loved them. Therefore He came to save them.

II MAN'S RESPONSE

Man in his sinful nature does not naturally seek after or respond to God's Call. But when God's Spirit begins a work of Grace, then man will seek The Lord.

1. "He sought to see Jesus Who He was." This man evidently had a spiritual thirst or need. He was dissatisfied with all his wealth and prosperity. He realized that he had come by much of it dishonestly. He was seeking for something else, for something better. Like Lydia, and the Samaritan woman, and the Rich Young Ruler, he realized that Jesus could give him that for which he sought.

We ought to have a spiritual thirst. We should seek Jesus. We must realize that money and earthly things do not satisfy. Someday they will be gone. We cannot take them to eternity. But Jesus is worth seeking. Many do not think so. But Do Seek Him, and Find Him NOW. "Oh, taste and see that The Lord is good: blessed is the man hat trusteth in Him" - Ps. 34 : 8.

2. He overcame the obstacle that he was short. Because he was short he climbed into a tree. He was determined to see Jesus. And then he made haste to come down after Jesus had invited Himself to his home.

No obstacle is too great if we really want to see Jesus. "Where there is a will there is a way." Years ago people walked miles and miles to go to Church for worship. Are we willing to do that today? Too often we make obstacles an excuse for our disinterestedness. Beware! God knows our motives. Be honest. We too shall meet Jesus someday. It may be soon.

3. He Showed By His Actions That He Had Repented. He did not heed the scorners. Perhaps they had jeered at him, perched up there in that tree. Perhaps they had called out to him that Jesus would not bother with a wicked sinner such as be. But he came down and received Jesus joyfully. He became a Giving Christian. His purse was affected too. Big whole life and conduct were changed. He promised to make right what he had done wrong. Henceforth he was going to walk straight.

CONCLUSION: The inevitable result of such a call and such a response was that Jesus said: "Today is salvation come to this house." He had become "a new creature in Christ Jesus". "Forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham." He may not necessarily have been a physical son of Abraham. Or, if he were, surely not the faith of his ancestors had saved him. He was saved because he believed. He was saved By Faith. He had received Jesus into his heart gladly. Paul lays: "Know therefore that they that are of f a it h, , the same are the sons of Abraham,." If you and I are of faith, then we too are the sons of Abraham. His works proved his faith. His salvation was not by works of the law. But his later works proved his salvation. His works of gratitude were evidence and fruit of his conversion. "Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect."

Is our faith theory or reality? Do our works. prove our faith? Are you saved? Have you heard The Urgent Call of Jesus, calling you by Name? Have you Answered?

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