Lesson 186 - Senior
Memory Verse
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44).
Cross References
I Time of Visitation
1. The chief of the publicans, Zacchæus, desired to see Jesus, [LUK:19:1-4]; [LUK:5:15]; [MAT:4:24]; [MAT:9:31]; [ISA:52:13], [ISA:52:15]; [JHN:6:2].
2. Zacchæus' interest was in response to the drawing power of God, [LUK:19:5]; [SON:1:4]; [JER:31:3]; [HOS:11:4]; [JHN:6:44].
3. Zacchæus gave eager answer to Jesus' invitation, and received Him joyfully, [LUK:19:5-6]; [ISA:9:2]; [JHN:1:4], [JHN:1:9].
4. Many criticised Jesus for being the guest of a sinner, not understanding the miracle of salvation or the Deity of Christ, [LUK:19:7]; [LUK:19:44]; [JHN:1:5], [JHN:1:26]; [JHN:3:9-10], [JHN:3:19]; [EPH:4:18]; [MAT:13:15].
II Fruits of Repentance
1. Zacchæus' meeting with Christ is an example of instantaneous conversion and its immediate effect, [LUK:19:6]; [ACT:2:41]; [ACT:16:34].
2. The immediate confession of past misdeeds, and the promise of restitution, were proofs of Zacchæus' true and godly repentance unto salvation, [LUK:19:8]; [LUK:3:8]; [LUK:18:22-23]; [PS:41:1]; [LEV:6:1-6]; [PRO:6:30-31]; [MAT:5:23-24]; [2CO:7:10].
3. Jesus affirmed the truth of Zacchæus' conversion, [LUK:19:9-10]; [LUK:2:30-32].
4. Zacchæus proved himself a true son of Abraham by recognising Jesus as the Christ, [LUK:19:8-10]; [LUK:13:16]; [GAL:3:7-9], [GAL:3:29]; [JHN:8:33], [JHN:8:37-44], [JHN:8:52-58].
Notes
A Publican's Desire
Zacchæus, a rich publican, desired to see Jesus. This was a worthy ambition for anyone, and it was particularly so for Zacchæus, who was chief of the publicans. This office of publican (which was a tax-collection agency for the Roman government) was one which was hated by all Jews because of the great amount of graft and extortion in it. The opportunity for such graft was seldom lost by those holding the publican's office. While the Scripture does not say that Zacchæus was dishonest in his official duties, his own testimony leaves us with the impression that he had wronged people in the past.
It was unusual for a man of Zacchæus' occupation and character to show much interest in such a one as Jesus Christ, and his interest did not stem from mere idle curiosity. What stirred Zacchæus' heart was the working of God's plan of redemption through the person of Jesus Christ. The great fame of Christ and the news of the astounding miracles that He performed had stirred all men's hearts throughout the land and the surrounding countries.
Jesus' interpretations of the writings of the old prophets and the Law of Moses were so different from the usual concept of the Pharisaical laws and traditions that great dissension and arguments arose. Men everywhere talked of Jesus, and of the things He said and did.
As we consider Jesus Christ through the Word of God, we see, as Zacchæus finally did, that Christ is more than a mortal man. He is the Son of God, and He was the One who would, and did, provide an atonement for men's sins. He had come to seek and save that which was lost, Zacchæus being one who was lost, and who was found by Christ.
Light of God
On one occasion Isaiah spoke with prophetic utterance of Christ's being a great light: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isaiah 9:2). John the Baptist spoke of Jesus as a light to men: "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9). It was the light, the light of true understanding and knowledge of Christ, that had begun to shine into Zacchæus' heart. (See [2PE:1:3].)
We do not know just what immediate motives caused Zacchæus to desire to see Jesus, but we do know that he must have been unhappy. Disliked by all, Zacchæus must have felt the emptiness of his riches and power and authority in his public office. He came to the right One when he desired help. The Scripture says of Jesus: "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell" (Colossians 1:19), no doubt meaning by that, that included in Christ with other divine attributes is the fullness of life, and it is to be had nowhere else.
Zacchæus may have had only this one opportunity to seek Jesus. It is to his everlasting credit and eternal joy that he availed himself of it. Jesus never passed through Jericho again. In Christ's last days on earth, perhaps Zacchæus seemed the least likely of anyone around to receive anything from Jesus Christ; but he was one of the very few who did. Zacchæus was in a state of mind comparable to the blind beggar of Jericho and the thief on the cross, who, when they cried aloud to Jesus for mercy, received the answer to their petitions. One meeting with Jesus was all Zacchæus seemed to need to recognise that He was the Life, and the Light of men ([JHN:1:4]).
As Zacchæus was small of stature, he had climbed into a tree better to see Jesus as He passed by. To Zacchæus' happy surprise, Jesus not only saw him in the tree but bade him make haste and come down, for He desired to abide with him that day. We do not know just all that transpired between Jesus and Zacchæus, in those next few minutes, but we do know that shortly Zacchæus had a marvellous change of mind, heart, and life. Zacchæus' first exclamations as he touched the ground are good evidence of a truly repentant heart: "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." These statements shall stand forever in repudiation of all those unbelievers who deny the Bible teaching of restitution as being associated with salvation and the Christian way of life.
Fruits of Repentance
John the Baptist warned the Pharisees when they came to him that they were to bring forth fruits meet for repentance ([MAT:3:8]). Isaiah gave backslidden Israel a definition of repentance: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6, 7). Such actions as these are proof to God and man that we are sincere in our repentance.
Zacchæus manifested true repentance by promising to do that which he saw was necessary to do immediately: helping the poor, and making restitutions for his past wrongs.
To those who deny the truth of restitution, teaching that it is contrary to what God requires of men, we say, Consider the statement made by Zacchæus: "If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." The whole Law of God required restitution, and God has not changed His requirements today. Often wrongdoing has to be confessed, also where a wrong can be rectified by the restitution of money, that must be done. "God requireth that which is past" (Ecclesiastes 3:15).
Jesus confirmed Zacchæus' conversion by telling him, "This day is salvation come to this house." Anything less than a conversion that will immediately begin to bring forth fruit unto God, and a testimony to which God will lend witness, is no conversion at all.
No man of Zacchæus' occupation and character, or one of greater or lesser circumstances, is making public promise of restitution unless God is concerned in the matter. Zacchæus seemed to have clearly understood that restitution was necessary. Sorrow for his sins had probably kept him awake many nights while God talked to him.
When Jesus held out the invitation to Zacchæus he must have determined to accept it no matter what the cost would be to himself. Zacchæus confessed his sins to Jesus and promised to do that which was required of him, and the joys of salvation began to flood his soul.
Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees on one occasion, saying: "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you" (Matthew 21:31). These did enter into the Kingdom of God before many. It was not because God was more lenient or merciful to them for their greater sins; but it was because they seemed to believe the truths of God more readily, and to be more willing than those who were self-righteous, to confess their need of Christ. Of such was Zacchæus. He could see his need of Christ and His salvation, and he eagerly embraced it when he had the opportunity.
The Prophet Ezekiel spoke words of encouragement to the wicked: "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walked in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die" (Ezekiel 33:14, 15). Zacchæus did this. So have many others since then, and so may those who wish to be saved from their sins do so today. Thus will they be received of God.
Witness of God
If we are truly born again, have had our lives transformed by the miraculous power of God, God will bear witness to the truth of our testimonies. This was the case with Zacchæus, and has been the case with every one truly converted.
Jesus said of Zacchæus: "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham." The Pharisees, in their discussions with Jesus, made much of their religion, and they contended that they were true children of Abraham. Jesus told them: "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham" (John 8:39, 40).
Zacchæus received salvation, and became a true child of Abraham because he had faith in Christ that He was the Saviour of men's souls. The Pharisees, with all their self-righteousness, could not qualify as children of God, because they would not receive the person of Christ as the true Messiah.
Faith in the message of God and the witness of God to His works has always been the way of salvation. The doors of salvation have always swung open to those who had faith in God and in God's Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of men's souls. There is no other way.
Questions
1. Who was Zacchæus, and what was his occupation?
2. Why did the people hate the publicans?
3. Why did Zacchæus desire to see Jesus?
4. What did Jesus say to Zacchæus when He saw him in the tree?
5. What proof do we have that Zacchæus was truly converted?
6. What is meant by fruits of repentance?
7. Who are the children of Abraham?