VBS General Session - Day 4

Synopsis

What’s this story about?

This story is about a man named Zacchaeus. He was a small, insignificant tax collector who was dishonest and hence was disliked by so many people but nonetheless, was loved by Jesus. Jesus knew him by his name and called to him; he listened to his call, surrendered his life to him and was saved. He was completely changed knowing the fact that God loved him in spite of his sins.

What do we learn about Zacchaeus?

• Zacchaeus was a Sinner

Dishonest, collected taxes from people.

• Zacchaeus put in effort without making excuses

He was a short man and could not see Jesus when He came to his town Jericho. He so earnestly wanted to see Jesus that he climbed the sycamore tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus.

• Zacchaeus was prompt to respond to Jesus

He welcomed Jesus gladly when Jesus told him that he would dine at his place. He did not think about what other people would say. He knew that it was between him and Jesus and in that he was absolutely right!

• Zacchaeus was willing to change

He immediately acknowledged his sins and told Jesus that he would restore more money than what he had originally cheated people of. He responded to Jesus in a way which truly depicts repentance and eagerness to follow God. He did not make excuses and neither did he love his money more than God. He placed God above everything and was completely transformed. 2 Corinthians

5:17 says: Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.

What do we learn about God?

• Jesus came to save sinners. He seeks the lost.

Jesus calls to Zacchaeus as he passes through that way. He goes out of his way to call sinners to himself. He doesn't shy away from sinners or does not hate them but rather transforms them inside out by his love. Luke 19:9 tells us that the son of man came to save the lost and the sinners. 

• Jesus changes us when we follow him

After Zacchaeus met with Jesus, he wasn't the same man, the same sinner. He was changed. Not just his actions were changed but even his heart. This is the effect that true repentance has on us. Only God has the ability to transform us inside out. 

• God saves and offers us a new life

A new life is offered to all sinners by Christ. New life for all of us is all about restoring a broken relationship. We have a personal God with whom we need to constantly and continually maintain a personal relationship. This happens when we draw close to him and allow us to be transformed by him. Jesus told Zacchaeus that he would dine with him and in turn restored Zacchaeus’ heart toward himself.

Application of this story in our own lives

• John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Such is the love of God, and when we accept Jesus, he saves us and offers us this same eternal life. We are not saved just by being born in christian homes, rather we need to enter into and maintain a relationship with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ so that we will be forgiven of all our sins. Jesus’ invitation to us is personal. Like he called out Zacchaeus by name similarly he calls each one of us into a personal relationship with him. 
• If we come to god in full humility and truly repent of our sins, no matter what the world thinks about us, our God will see our heart and truly forgive us and give us a new, better life. And not just a new life but even eternal life. Zacchaeus was a short, insignificant tax collector who was hated by most. His actions were sinful; still when he truly wanted to see Jesus, Jesus himself drew so close to him. He called him by his name and asked to dine with him. Such is the love of God, that no matter how great our sins are, if we truly repent and draw close to him he is always ready to save us and change us. John 10:27-28 tells us that Jesus calls all of us his sheep, and that we are required to hear his voice and be saved. That he gives us eternal life and salvation.