Recap
Title: How To Become Rich In Life
Key Text: Luke 19:1-10
What do real riches look like to you? Is it having a fast car, a big house, lots of money in the bank, or maybe no health worries? The truth is, we can search in the wrong places when trying to find things that make life so rich. When seeking money, power, and momentary satisfactions - we can become much poorer than when we started.
When we seek real satisfaction in life and look in the right place, we can find something so spectacular - true riches.
Luke 19:1-10 tells us of a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector from Jericho who had many things going for him in his life but was dissatisfied with his reality. But then he heard that Jesus was passing through town.
This story shows us how this one encounter brought new riches to Zacchaeus’ life and what this can mean for us as well.
Zacchaeus recognised his need for change (Luke 19:1-2; Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Zacchaeus grabbed hold of the opportunity (Luke 19:3-6; Revelation 3:20)
Zacchaeus received new riches (Luke 19:8; Matthew 6:21; John 10:10; Isaiah 53:6)
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Zacchaeus recognised his need for change
Luke 19: 1-2 “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.”
Zacchaeus was a man who had great possession and a great position. He wasn’t just a tax collector but the chief, and with that came lots of influence. He had lots of money and riches but wanted more and more, and no matter how much he had, he was never satisfied, he continued to cheat and lie his way through life instead.
As the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” Many people go through life pursuing money, career, relationships, and fame but can be left with such an empty void. Reaching one achievement but being left with a lack of fulfilment or purpose afterward.
Zacchaeus looked like he was at the mountaintop having everything he could want, but in reality, he was unable to satisfy his soul. Then he discovered that Jesus was coming through his town. The son of God, The Messiah, who embraced those who society rejected, consoled the broken-hearted and healed the sight of the blind, He was coming to the town where Zacchaeus lived.
Maybe also like Zacchaeus, you have been feeling empty, or you have been rejected by people or outcasted and that has led you to a low place? Well, no matter how big or insignificant you may feel, there is more to your life, there is a hole that only Jesus can fill.
Not happiness or joy for the moment, but eternal, everlasting joy and blessing. Put your life in the hands of God. Seek him, and He will lead you into new opportunities.
Zacchaeus grabbed hold of the opportunity
Verse 3-6 says: “He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So, he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”
Zacchaeus wanted to meet Jesus and so climbed up a tree to reach above the large crowds of people. He didn’t make excuses like he was too short or there were too many people in his way, maybe he could just come back another day - No he knew this was his moment to grab hold of the opportunity. He was making his move.
You’ll notice here that Jesus did not force himself upon Zacchaeus - accusing him of all his wrongdoings - no, it was when Zacchaeus made the first move then Jesus came to him. Jesus could see how important this was for Zacchaeus. He had climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of him. That is when Jesus then asked to come into his home.
In Revelation 3:20 says of Jesus; “I stand and the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
This is the opportunity Zacchaeus saw – it was his opportunity to let Jesus into his home, into his life. He wasn’t going to let this opportunity go by – it says in verse 6 of Luke 19, “He came down at once.”
Jesus wants to come into your home - he wants to be a part of your life, he wants to lift your marriage, he wants to impact your life - he asks’ to come, but he is waiting for you to take action.
Is Jesus welcome in your home? You may have been a Christian all your life but perhaps you’ve kept God at an arm's length. Maybe you're worried about what he will find in your home or what he will change. For us to receive Jesus there cannot be pride, stubbornness, or independence. We have to come down from our high place.
Zacchaeus received new riches
Luke 19:8 “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.”
We see here that everything Zacchaeus was yearning for he received after encountering Jesus in his home. The man who had so many material possessions had a new possession. The greatest possession, a new heart, new hope, and new purpose.
Zacchaeus had such a powerful encounter with Jesus that material possession meant little to him anymore. He repented for his mistakes and recognised that he had mistreated people, and because of that he received a new, healed heart.
Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. After all these years of appearing to live a glamorous life on the outside - but really being miserable and empty on the inside - the overwhelming joy he felt at that moment assured him that he found a new beginning. He discovered that there was more to his life.
Jesus said to him in Luke 19:9-10, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Zacchaeus was desperately seeking to discover new life, but actually, Jesus was looking for Zacchaeus. And that is the same for us all.
As Jesus declared in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. You may have good things in your life but there is a hole, a God-shaped hole, come down from your high place, get real, Jesus called him by name and came to his house and he can do the same for you.
Isaiah 53:6 says, “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
You today have the opportunity to get down from whatever high place you're in.
Jesus is passing by, don’t miss the opportunity to take action. He is calling you by name. He wants to speak into your life.
