Connecting to God Changes Lives Learning from Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10

Looking Back

Today: An aspect of what we will be talking about to day is the idea of commitment. Today’s account also may serve as a reminder against rash decisions and making promises that are not very well thought out. In this I will be focusing on connecting to God in the long term.

Story Time! Julius Caesar.

Partial Commitment?

Restitution: The references in Nu 5:7-8 to restitution represent the Hebrew sub, which means "to turn back or return." Restitution had two parts; first the one who wronged another had to confess his sin and second, he had to return to the person whom he offended full monetary value, plus twenty percent.

Restitution: Other references to restitution, in Ex 22 and Lev 22, are from salam, "to be complete or sound." The idea is one of restoring a violated relationship by a compensatory payment. It is making peace with action.

Restitution: Restitution is one of the most significant concepts in OT criminal law. The person who steals or misappropriates another's property is directly responsible to his victim. OT law directed the criminal to repay double. His own property or labor is demanded as recompense for the harm he did to his neighbor.

Restitution: In our system of justice a criminal is responsible to society, not to his victim. Society places the criminal in jail as a punishment rather than having him or her make restitution. The OT system is undoubtedly superior, both in its concern for the victim and in its holding the criminal responsible for his or her acts.

Long Term: He is going to give up half of his wealth and he with make restitution for those whom he has misused to four times the amount that he took. This is going to take him a long time to make things right and his life will never be the same. By making this commitment, and following it through, he is committed to Jesus as Lord for the long term.

Connecting to God Changes Lives Learning from Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10 (pg 1630) LK 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

Luke 19:1-10 (pg 1630) LK 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. LK 19:7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a `sinner.' "

Luke 19: 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." 9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Looking At It Again: He was a Chief Tax Collector. He wanted to see Jesus. He makes effort that is noticed.

Look at Verse 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."

Commitment: He calls Jesus Lord and then he backs that up with a promise. If Jesus is going to be Lord then he has to decide the role of wealth in his life and unlike the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-30 he makes a commitment to put his wealth in subjection to Jesus.

Commitment “Fox Hole Christians.” This type of commitment to God is only for the short term while he gets us out of trouble. It is like only being married when being single does not suit your needs. It is destructive to relationship and it dishonors Christ.

Counting the Cost Keep it in the day to day. Expect failure and frustration. View your connection to God relationally rather than economically. Reevaluate your commitment often. Take time to bench mark.

Be a doer of the word and set specific goals for yourself. Surround yourself with those who are committed. Fall in love with Jesus not the church, the word, the fellowship or whatever else. Don’t be taken away by feelings. When you are drying out you need to keep doing the right thing until it starts to feel right again.

Focus on the journey and take time to see where you have been and where you are going. Do not just concentrate on every little bump in the road. Make small commitments and follow them through.

Connecting in the Long Term: Our society is filled with people who call themselves Christians and who live with no relationship with God. Is Jesus Lord or not… how will your actions answer that question this week?

Final Thoughts Those around us can be reached when we talk the talk, walk the walk, and help others know Jesus and make Him known. Someone, in your life right now, wants help to know Jesus and you are in their life to help them. Luke 19:10 The Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20 Pass on the faith entrusted to you.