Jesus is worth knowing!

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

Food for thought!

Zacchaeus was a man who had reached the top of his career, BUT was the most hated man in the district. He was wealthy BUT not spiritually healthy. He was a man of power by virtue of his position and of his profession BUT very weak spiritually. People probably walked in fear of this little man.

Because he was wealthy but unhappy, Zacchaeus was inevitably lonely, for he had chosen a way that made him an outcast; he was a man who had reached the top of his profession but spiritually was still at zero; professionally a success story but spiritually a failure.

Like yesterday's blind man, Zacchaeus too was determined to see Jesus, and would let nothing stop him, not even his height. The Bible says that he sought to see Jesus. This man had a desire to see the Lord. This said, before this little man could get to Jesus, he had to overcome two great obstacles.

1. The Crowd - The gospel tells us that Zacchaeus was a little short man, and he could not see over the crowd. The people were between him and Jesus. The crowd still keeps some people from seeing Jesus! There are those who allow their friends to keep them from seeing Jesus! Still others are kept from Christ not by the crowd but by a single person who exercises great influence over them. Jesus is more valuable than any friends or friend you will ever have in this world! That is why Jesus tells us these words: "The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple.” (Matthew 10:37)

2. His Condition - Zacchaeus had a personal problem that kept him from getting close to the Lord; he was short. So it was not only the others blocking him, he also had a personal problem. The personal problem can be anything including our sins. Can be money, wealth, health, love, lack of forgiveness…! All of these things can stand between us and the Lord.

So Zacchaeus began to address and redress his two problems. He run ahead and climbed a tree to get a glimpse of the Lord as he passed by. This little man allowed nothing, not the crowd, not his condition, stand between him and his seeing the Lord Jesus. What about you? Are you like Zacchaeus, professionally successful but spiritually a failure? Be like Zacchaeus, beat the crowd and beat your personal condition. Jesus is worth seeing!

Having heard of Him, Zacchaeus wanted to know for himself who Jesus was. Perhaps you too have heard a lot about Jesus but don't know him personally and experientially. Jesus is worth knowing!