Seeking Something Spiritual. (Luke 19:1-10)
Would it surprise you if I told you that I believe most people on this planet are really seeking something spiritual in their lives?
I think that we think of people as not being interested in spiritual things and so that probably is a surprising kind of statement.
But if you think about it for a minute most people on this planet are religious. They ascribe to some kind of religion of belief system indicating perhaps that they want some kind of spiritual element in their life.
Surveys indicate that 80% of the people in the United States say that they have prayed in the last year, as a matter of fact if you Google how many people pray in America every day or something you might come up with something like almost 50% at least in one survey I looked at.
The United Kingdom is a very different case. The UK along with Northern Europe and Scandinavia are now definitely post Christian societies. The last figure taken in 2019 said that 9.1% of people in the UK attended church regularly. Below 4% would say they attend most weeks.
We don’t have the figure for 2024 but between 2019 and 2023 the % of people who identifies as Christian.
So, I am sure you are surprised when I said at the beginning that I believe most people want something spiritual in their lives and they are seeking that out
Maybe the question we should ask what is it they are and should be seeking.
To do that I want to share a story with you that contains the story of two hidden truths, a very familiar story starting in verse 1 of chapter 19.
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1: Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2: A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and he was wealthy. 3: He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 4: So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5: When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6: So, he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7: All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8: But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9: Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
(Luke 19: 1-10)
This story centres on the theme of seeking, and in particularly on Jesus' mission to seek out individuals.
However, there's a deeper layer to the narrative, highlighting two hidden truths. One is the explicit pursuit by Jesus of souls, while the other is Zaccheus' own curiosity about Jesus.
Let's look at the setting first. Firstly, Jericho, where the events unfold, deserves a brief mention.
Jerico was situated at the end of a steep 18 mile descent from Jerusalem, Jericho stood as an oasis amidst desolation. Palm and fig trees adorn the landscape and contributing to its prosperity.
Moreover, it was strategic location near the Jordan River makes it a bustling hub for trade and customs collection, making it a wealthy city.
Now, onto Zaccheus. He emerges as the central figure in this passage. Let's scrutinize his character a bit more closely. Notably, he held a position of authority as the chief tax collector, an indicator of his wealth.
So, Zaccheus, this wealthy man is curious about Jesus, who is just passing through the prosperous city of Jericho.
This dual perspective enriches our understanding of the narrative's significance.
In Luke 19:2, it's explicitly mentioned that Zaccheus was wealthy, indicating his affluence. This fact is particularly significant considering his occupation as a tax collector in this prosperous city.
Tax collectors in that time bid for their positions, essentially paying the Roman government a set amount of tax, and then charging the citizens whatever they desired.
Being in a wealthy town, Zaccheus likely amassed considerable wealth through this means. Additionally, his title as "chief tax collector" suggests he held a prominent position, further solidifying his affluent status.
However, despite his wealth, Zaccheus was far from living a righteous life.
In verse 7, when Jesus visits his house, we see the crowd condemn him as a sinner, highlighting his reputation for dishonesty.
Zaccheus himself acknowledges his wrongdoing later in the passage, expressing his intent to make amends for any fraudulent gains. His occupation inherently involved dishonest practices, and Jesus' acknowledgment of Zaccheus as "lost" in verse 10 underscores his moral shortcomings.
Moreover, being a tax collector further isolated Zaccheus socially.
Tax collectors were despised figures in Jewish society, seen as traitors collaborating with the oppressive Roman regime. This societal disdain likely left Zaccheus socially ostracized, evident from his solitary presence at this event where he encounters Jesus.
Yet despite these things, Zaccheus still displays intellectual curiosity about Jesus.
This curiosity may not necessarily imply a spiritual longing but indicates at least an interest in knowing more about Jesus, whose reputation had spread throughout the region due to his miraculous deeds.
With Jesus' arrival marking the culmination of his ministry, Zaccheus' desire to see him reflects a natural curiosity about this rapidly becoming famous local figure.
So, in summary, Zaccheus' story reveals a complex character, wealthy yet morally compromised, socially isolated due to his profession, but intellectually curious about Jesus.
These additional insights enrich our understanding of his encounter with Jesus and the transformative impact it has on his life.
Perhaps Zaccheus' curiosity about Jesus stemmed from several factors.
Firstly, Jesus was known for performing miracles, a reputation that likely intrigued Zaccheus.
Additionally, Jesus' unconventional behaviour of dining with sinners and outcasts may have caught Zaccheus' attention. Jesus' ability to make those deemed societal outcasts feel accepted and valued might also have interested Zaccheus.
Another possibility I read is that Zaccheus had maybe heard about Jesus from Matthew, another tax collector who became one of Jesus' disciples.
Matthew's transformation from tax collector to follower of Jesus could have left an impression on Zaccheus, prompting him to seek out Jesus to learn more about this guy who had had such a profound effect on his former colleague.
Certainly, intellectually, Zaccheus displayed curiosity about Jesus, possibly hinting at a deeper spiritual interest. While his primary motive may have been curiosity, there could have been underlying spiritual overtones to his desire to see Jesus.
Despite being hindered by his short stature I seeing Jesus, Zaccheus displayed some degree of courage by climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. This act, undertaken in a public setting further highlighting his eagerness to see Jesus.
However, it's worth noting that Zaccheus' seeking of Jesus may not have necessarily stemmed from a sense spiritual longing. Instead, it could have been driven by mere curiosity about the famous teacher and healer.
Yet still, Zaccheus' actions prompt reflection on the often hidden truth of people are often seeking something spiritual, even if not necessarily seeking God Himself.
In contemporary times, many individuals express a desire for spirituality while distancing themselves from organized religion. This distinction raises questions about the nature of spiritual seeking and whether it ultimately can still lead to a connection with the one true God.
The underlying point is that many people express a desire for spirituality but are wary of organized religion. Whether they genuinely seek a relationship with the God is uncertain.
This apparent contradiction, between the Bible's assertion that none seek after God, but rather God seeks us out and the existence of seekers like Zaccheus here as well as people like Nicodemus and Cornelius has been debated by theologians for centuries.
One explanation is that God's grace precedes individuals' seeking, preparing their hearts for salvation. (PPT)
Returning to this story, Jesus, sees Zaccheus in the tree, and invites himself to Zaccheus' house. The intimate gesture of calling Zaccheus by name, underscores Jesus' divine foreknowledge of who he was and the spiritual state he was in.
Despite Zaccheus' social situation, Jesus extends a personal invitation, demonstrating his inclusive and compassionate nature. This interaction highlights Jesus' mission to reach out to everyone regardless of their societal standing, offering them the opportunity for transformation and redemption.
Zaccheus' encounter with Jesus unveils two unrevealed things, his own seeking and Jesus' divine foreknowledge and outreach.
This story should prompt us to consider the spiritual yearnings of individuals and Jesus' unwavering invitation to everyone, irrespective of their backgrounds or social standing or the basis upon which they initially try and seek out God.
Jesus' declaration, "I must stay at your house," resonates as a pivotal moment in Zaccheus' life. It's as if Jesus is saying that meeting Zaccheus was central to his mission in Jericho.
In verse 6, Zaccheus receives Jesus with unbridled joy, eagerly welcoming him into his home. This response underscores the intense impact of Jesus' invitation on Zaccheus' heart.
However, the people’s reaction shows societies expectations are being confronted here. As a Jewish rabbi, Jesus' and decision to dine with Zaccheus, a tax collector and sinner, defied convention and drew criticism from onlookers.
Despite the crowd’s disapproval, Jesus remains undeterred, emphasizing again his willingness to associate with sinners. This acceptance and compassion illustrates Jesus’ willingness to approach anyone no matter how marginalized by society they are. (PPT)
Inside his own home, Zaccheus makes a remarkable declaration. He commits to giving half of his wealth to the poor and promises to restore fourfold to anyone he has wronged.
This act of restitution goes beyond legal requirements, reflecting Zaccheus' genuine repentance and desire for reconciliation.
In ancient Jewish law, thieves were required to repay double and only in exceptional circumstance sometimes fourfold. Zaccheus' blanket decision to exceed these standards suggests a profound transformation of heart, influenced by his encounter with Jesus.
This underscores the transformative power that encountering Jesus can have. Zaccheus' response reflects a genuine desire for repentance and restoration, driven by gratitude for the salvation offered to him.
Zaccheus' actions of restitution are indeed remarkable and unheard of anywhere else in the bible. Few individuals have ever gone to such lengths to right their wrongs, let alone go beyond what is required by law.
This highlights the extraordinary nature of Zaccheus' repentance.
Jesus' then declares that "salvation has come to this house". But this was not contingent upon Zaccheus' restitution, as some might mistakenly interpret. Rather, it's rooted in Zaccheus' faith and identity as a "son of Abraham." This phrase carries both a physical and spiritual significance, implying not just lineage but, more importantly, identifying with Abraham’s faith in God.
Thus, Zaccheus' salvation stems from his recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and his decision to trust in Him.
Jesus' proclamation that He came "to seek and to save the lost" encapsulates the core of what has gone on here. Being "lost" signifies being in the wrong place spiritually, away from God's intended path. Through encountering Jesus, Zaccheus finds himself "found" and restored to the right relationship with God.
In essence, Zaccheus' story illustrates the mutual seeking of both man and God. While Zaccheus sought something perhaps just out of curiosity, he ultimately discovered that Jesus was also seeking him.
This mutual seeking culminates in Zaccheus' salvation, a testament to the transformative power of encountering the Lord.
So, I think I would say that the lesson here is that when those seeking something spiritual even though they don’t recognise it at the time discover they are really seeking Jesus. And upon seeing Jesus, they discovered that he is seeking to save those who are lost and who are willing to trust him.
Zaccheus recognises that he was a Sinner, but then also recognised who Jesus was and he trusted Christ and therefore got found.
By the way, have you ever whatever happened to Zacchaeus? Well, I found this interesting, one tradition is that he became an elder in the Jerusalem church. It’s almost surreal that Zacchaeus became a companion of Peter after this, and that Peter appointed him elder.
Anyway, let me conclude by emphasizing two key points:
Firstly, throughout the Bible, God is consistently portrayed as a seeker of sinners. From the Garden of Eden where God seeks out Adam to the portrayal of Jesus as the shepherd seeking the lost sheep, and even to the final pages where the Holy Spirit beckons us, the message is clear:
God always seeks to save the lost.
So, if you find yourself lost or struggling or seeking, take heart, God is actively seeking you out with the desire to bring you back into the right relationship with Him.
Secondly, if you've already experienced the transformative power of Christ's salvation, then this story has a profound implication for you also.
If you're truly following Christ, you'll inevitably become a seeker of others yourself. Jesus Himself said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
This means actively reaching out to those who are lost, just as Zaccheus was sought out by Jesus.
Now, there are various ways to engage in this "fishing" for souls.
Things like, sharing your personal testimony, asking simple yet thought-provoking questions about spiritual matters, or simply being open and available to those around you who may be hurting or seeking.
These are all effective ways to engage in this mission.
Remember, you never know where you might find someone who is seeking. So, keep your eyes open and be willing to engage with others, from all sorts of backgrounds and trust that God will lead you to those who are searching for Him.
And in conclusion.
If you're not actively engaged in seeking out the lost, then you're not truly following in the footsteps of Christ.
So, commit yourself to being a faithful follower, who, like Jesus, actively seek out and bring others and introduces them into a life-changing transformation with the Lord.