Being with Jesus – An Example

August 22, 2010   Luke 19:1-10

Being With Jesus.  So far we’ve considered how the first disciples were changed because they had been with Jesus and that being in a faith relationship with Jesus is what makes all the difference in one’s life. After all, the Pharisees had been with Jesus, but it did not have the same effect on them as it did on those who believed in Him. So today I want you to consider another Biblical example of someone whose life was completely and radically changed as a result of being with Jesus. And His name is Zacchaeus.

In the modern translations he is called a “chief tax collector.” He was an important man. Probably not popular, but important. To get an idea of how they viewed tax collectors in those days, imagine the worst politician you can think of, add to that someone who is known to take bribes and extort money from people, and who does all of this with the blessing of the ruling authorities. That was Zacchaeus. He fit right in with all the other social misfits with whom Jesus was always spending His time: prostitutes, outcasts, lepers and the like. It was for sinners that Jesus came. He laid aside all His might and power and glory and majesty to become one us of.

 [He] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7 (NIV)

He came to be with sinners. He came to be with you.

Zacchaeus was wealthy, but that didn’t mean he was happy or content. The same is true today. People may live in big houses with good incomes, have nice cars and all the latest electronic gadgets, all the trappings of the “good life,” but that doesn’t mean they are content. These are people for whom Christ died as well, yet without a relationship with Jesus, they will never find what they need most. Having things doesn’t fill the void in your life.  Being with Jesus does.

For all his prominence and power, Zacchaeus was unable to see Jesus when he came to town. There was a parade of sorts, but Zacchaeus could not see Jesus. He had a physical limitation – he was short. He couldn’t see over the crowd. But he was not going to miss out, so he did what he had to do. He climbed a tree to get a view of the one who was passing by. Why did he go to so much trouble? He had probably heard some of the stories about this young, charismatic rabbi. But maybe there was more. Maybe Zacchaeus felt the void in his life. Maybe he knew that he was far from where God wanted him to be. Maybe he wondered if Jesus had something special to offer him. We don’t know exactly what was going through his mind as this important man climbed a tree to get a glimpse of this passing celebrity.

Nor can we know what he felt when he was up in that tree and he heard, “Zacchaeus. Come down. I want to spend some time with you at your house.” Could it be true? Jesus said, “I want to be with you.” Jesus called out to Zacchaeus by name. Jesus wanted to be with him, to go to his house, to establish a relationship with him. He wanted to make it personal.

I’ve wondered what all was said during their time together. We don’t have a record of it, so we can’t know. But being with Jesus changed Zacchaeus forever. He resolved to change his life for the better. Salvation was not dependent on his actions, and we can say confidently that Zacchaeus continued to sin in his life. But because of the relationship he had with Jesus, he would be different. He pledges to make amends with those he has wronged and do better in the future.

Jesus wants to be with you just as He wanted to be with Zacchaeus. He knows who you are. He knows your failings and shortcomings. You may not be up in a tree, but He calls out to you, “I want to be with you. I want to be in your house. I want to spend some time with you. I want to be with you when you eat. I want to be with you when you get up in the morning, as you go through the day, when you lie down at night. I want you to know how much I love you, that I died in your place to pay for your sin. “ Jesus wants to make it personal.

If you take this step, being consciously aware of His presence and being in a faith relationship with your Savior, can you imagine the change it will make in your life? Maybe you’ve been in this relationship for a long time already and just need to recommit yourself to it and reenergize your life as His disciple. Take the step. Zacchaeus did, and he resolved to repay all those he had defrauded and then some. Understanding who Jesus is, all that He did to earn our salvation, and having a relationship with Him makes a response necessary. How will you express your gratitude?

• A word of encouragement and kindness to someone hurt by life?
• An act of generosity to someone not expecting it and in the eyes of the world not deserving of it?
• Signing up to be a part of one of our Mission Trips to share God’s love in tangible ways?
• Having an attitude of forgiveness that follows the example of the one who ate with sinners and tax collectors?
• Will you offer yourself as a living sacrifice? Will you offer your talents and abilities and skills to be used in serving God and others?

How will you express your gratitude in your life?

Jesus acknowledged Zacchaeus to be a son of Abraham, which was not simply a reference to his bloodline. Rather, he was declaring that Zacchaeus was an heir of the salvation promised to Abraham. And Jesus says the same thing to you. Because of your faith in Jesus, you are a son of Abraham and entitled to the same salvation.

Jesus wants to be with you. He does not want to just to stop by your house for a visit or a meal. He wants to be with you forever. Always. That is what He was saying to His disciples in the Upper Room.

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:1–3 (NIV)

Being with Jesus now and being with Him forever. That’s where we need to be.