Christ Seeks, Christ Saves; We Serve (Luke 19:1-27)
Sermon Link (live stream version)
Seeking and Saving (verses 1-10)
Zaccheus was a chief tax collector, meaning that he would have been over a group of other tax collectors. Chief tax collectors were notoriously corrupt and known for being traitors. They were shunned by most people and despised for their ill-gotten gains. But Zaccheus had heard of Jesus and because of mere curiosity he does what is socially unacceptable for a wealthy man in his day, running and climbing to a place where he can see him.
As Jesus approaches him, this One whom everyone is talking about, he calls out to him by name, goes to his home, dines with him, and converses with him. Again the Pharisees grumble at Jesus’ violation of their tradition, seeing that he went to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. They failed to realize that Jesus came to save sinners, even corrupt, swindling traitors.
When Zaccheus saw Christ, he recognized himself as lost and without hope. And yet, when he saw Christ, he also saw himself as loved, sought out, found, saved, and accepted! When he understood his full acceptance in Christ, Zaccheus became a new man. Confessing his sin and repenting, putting all of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and being determined to right all his wrongs, even this covetous tax collector is transformed by grace into a generous Christian. O, that we may never deny Christ’s ability to save to the uttermost all who come to Him!
– Have you met the Savior in the same way that Zaccheus did that day? Has there been a change in your life now that you have come to see Christ? Do you see yourself as a sinner and lost apart from Him? Do you see yourself as loved, sought out, found, and accepted because of His saving work for you? Have you confessed your sin, sought to make wrongs right, professed that only Christ is Lord, and generously given of all that belongs to you?
Serving (verses 11-27)
This parable was intended to correct the false expectations and wrong understanding of the disciples with regard to coronation of the King, with the main focal point being the return of Christ. We can understand from this parable, particularly from the reward that the first two servants receive, that faithful use of Christ’s gifts now leads to an abundant entrance into His Kingdom later (Revelation 11:15-18). Each of us has the same responsibility in the Kingdom until Christ returns; we have received the same gospel with the command to use it for Kingdom expansion. Just as the first servant’s mina had made ten minas more, so also the gospel, being the power of God unto salvation, increases all by itself as we proclaim it.
However, we also learn from this parable that failure to work for the Lord, not being faithful in the responsibilities that He’s given us, will come at the cost of either life or reward, or both. The end of those in this parable who did not want the nobleman to reign over them is total destruction. This ought to serve as a reminder to us to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
– Are you delighting in the reign of Christ over your life? In what ways are you being diligent to put to good use the gifts that He’s given you for the extension of the Kingdom?