Jesus Saves Zacchaeus and His Response in Giving
Announcements
- Announcement 1
- Announcement 2
This Month's Topic: Encountering Jesus and the Gospel
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10
Discussion Objective:
We will be discussing actual encounters with Jesus this month. We are beginning with a very familiar story many of us were told and sang about as children - the story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus.
What comes to your mind when you think of the story of Zacchaeus? childhood, zeal, boldness, scary. This is a very visual story to recall - especially those of us saw it with flannel pictures!
- He entered Jericho and was passing through.
- And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.
- And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.
- So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.
V1-4: A portion of the story overlooked when telling it to us as children is that tax collectors where nefarious at best, many scheming for ways to personally profit by taking money before handing it to the authorities. What do you think the streets were like this day that Jesus came and was walking down the street?
Remember, there are no hotels for travelers to stay at this time. What strikes you about this portion of the story:
- Zacchaeus' zeal even though he wasn't looked upon kindly?
- The fact that Jesus called a man down out of a tree?
- The crowd's reaction to Jesus calling him down?
- Zacchaeus' forthrightness in his honorable dealings with the people?
5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
6. So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.
7. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
8. And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
V5-8: Comments and/or follow up questions
One can only imagine what dinner time with the family was like that night. While the concept of salvation was still new, what do you think the people in the home were talking about or asking while Jesus was there?
9. And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
10. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
V9-10: What do you think the point of verse 10 is in relation to Zacchaeus' occupation?
Reread this story and take personal notes for yourself to allow the Holy Spirit to further solidify this encounter with Jesus.
Notes from same book of the bible
| File | Chapter | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1_Luke Overview | - | Bible Book Overview |
| The Miracle of Christmas Shepherd Evangelism | 2 | Teaching |
| Simeon Waiting for Jesus | 2 |
|
| Jesus Tempted | 4 | Discussion |
| Jesus Call the Disciples Fishers of Men and Their Response in Following | 5 |
|
| Unpacking the Parables Specks and Planks | 6 | Teaching |
| Disabled Woman | 13 | Teaching |
| Persistent Widow | 18 | Discussion |
| A Biblical Leader is One Who Serves | 22 | Discussion |
| Jesus' Personal Prayer Time | 22 | Discussion |
| Proclaim His Name to All Nations | 24 | Discussion |
| Telling Plainly What Happened | 24 | Discussion |