Message delivered on November 11th, 2003 - Evening Service

Text: Luke 19: 1-10

Introduction:

v. 5 Jesus says: "I want to stay in your house today".
v. 7 The people say: "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner".
What would be a "normal" attitude in the people's point of view? That Jesus would stay in the house of the chief of the synagogue in Jericho.
But no, Jesus will stay in the house of the worst man in that city.

1.	From a social point of view: Zacchaeus was despised.

2.	From a moral point of view: Zacchaeus was a thief.

3.	From a religious point of view: Zacchaeus was the worst sinner.

4.	From a political point of view: Zacchaeus was a traitor.

What is the world's philosophy? To honor the HAVES and to despise the HAVE-NOTS. What matters is HAVING.

Illustration: I, in 1994, in a Passat 77 in Rio de Janeiro * Brazil.

In the traffic light, I stopped behind a Sports Eclipse, a new car. A taxi driver stops next to me, points to the Eclipse and yells: "One day, you will do better in life".

What's Jesus' philosophy? Luke 4:14-17. Here in this text, it's his mission. And Zacchaeus, you, me, we're all included.
Jesus did not talk about love. He loved. He loved Zacchaeus, He loves you, He loves me. He is concerned about all the sinners and today He says: "I want to stay in your house, in your life".

Conclusion:

"Being a short man". v. 3b
An emotional analysis of. Zacchaeus.
He had a strong inferiority complex.
And with this, the person can have at least two reactions.

1.	To harbor a strong bitterness. What about the girlfriends? They have a bitter, and sick heart. When he turns into a man, he continues to be short, but he seeks revenge. He works for the Romans. "Now, you will pay me".

2.	To harbor the feeling: "I am worthless" (Bad company, addictions, alcohol, drugs). He self-destructs emotionally.

The feeling of REJECTION is the worst that exists. It's the greatest emotional pain.
But Jesus does not pass only in Zacchaeus' life. Jesus stops, goes to his house.
v. 8 - The miracle takes place. How? The text does not say. It's a supernatural work. Zacchaeus is healed emotionally and spiritually.
v.9 " Because this man, too, is a son of Abraham". This declaration is a scandal to the Jews.
WHY IN ZACCHAEUS' HOUSE?
v.9b - For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Lost = out of place
Our place is in heaven. In the presence of the Lord.
Jesus came to seek and save Zacchaeus, you, me* everyone.
Because He loves us. It does not matter who we are. It does not matter our background.
Experiment, as Zacchaeus did, Jesus' love in your life today. "Today salvation has come to this house* to this temple" v.5 and v.9