Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus

No one is too bad to be saved, or beyond the power of Christ’s grace. We can offer the Gospel boldly to the worst and most wicked, and say, “There is hope. Only repent and believe.” Hospitals discharge many cases as incurable. But there are no incurable cases under the Gospel. Any sinner may be healed, if he will only come to Christ.

These verses show us how little and insignificant are the things on which a soul’s salvation often turns. Curiosity and nothing but curiosity appears to be Zacchaeus’ motive. Rather than not see Jesus, he climbs up into a tree. Our Lord stops at that tree, and from that very moment Zacchaeus is an altered man. That very night he lay down a Christian. We must never despise the day of small beginnings. We must never count anything as little that concerns the soul. The ways by which the Holy Spirit leads men and women to Christ are wonderful and mysterious. In every work there must be a beginning, and in spiritual work that beginning is often very small. Do we see an unbeliever beginning to open his Bible? Do we see him beginning to come to church after a long time of absence? Let us remember Zacchaeus and be hopeful. It is far better to hear the Gospel out of mere curiosity, than not to hear it at all.

There is in Christ an infinite readiness to receive, and an infinite ability to save sinners. Salvation is not of works, but of grace. If ever there is a soul sought and saved, without having done anything to deserve it, that soul is Zacchaeus.

Converted sinners will always give evidence of their conversion. Freely pardoned, and raised from death to life, Zacchaeus feels that he can not begin too soon to show whose he is and whom he serves.

Questions
1. What motivated Zacchaeus to climb the tree?
2. Why does Christ save Zacchaeus
3. How does Zacchaeus show that he has new life?

Prayer Points
1. Give thanks for the grace and love of God.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.