83. Zacchaeus

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[AdventIlliniRx]

zaccheus is a government official with a high-ranking.  He was despised by the jews because they were occupied by the roman government.  Jesus knew Zaccheus adn was using him as example of God's love for all humans, unlike the jews who hated roman governance. Jesus continually teaches about Love.  Zaccheus story is yet another example.

 

[hanks]

1. What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? About his life, his hopes, his desires? 
The first thing we learn about Zacchaeus is that he stayed in Jericho and was a chief tax collector. Jericho was a major trade centre and being one of the chief tax collectors, he not only organised the taxes but also the collectors, receiving a percentage of all the taxes collected, making him a wealthy and powerful man. He must have heard a great deal about Jesus but had never actually seen Him. Being of short stature and therefore not being able to see over the large crowds lining the street and following Jesus, he decides to run ahead and climb a Sycamore tree, waiting for Jesus to see Him as He passes by. I think curiosity was his only motive for wanting to see our Lord. It wasn’t because he wanted to listen and learn from Jesus’ teachings or to obtain anything from Him. This was merely to see who He was, what sort of person He was, and why were there these large crowds following the man. 
 

[hanks]

2. Why do the townspeople despise Zacchaeus so much? 
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, and as such was in charge of the entire tax district of Jericho and vicinity, one of the 3 main Palestinian tax offices, the other two being located at Caesarea and Capernaum. He would have other tax collectors under his employ to collect taxes in various parts of the district. Tax collectors charged taxes on behalf of the hated Romans. They made a profit by charging a higher tax than that required, and this system led to widespread greed and corruption, attracting unscrupulous people. The Jews considered themselves victims of Roman oppression, and Zacchaeus and his band of tax collectors were therefore especially despised for working for the Romans and were looked upon as traitors and robbers. 
 

[hanks]

3. How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? By divine knowledge? From the bystanders? 
Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30), meaning that the Lord Jesus Christ is God in the fullest sense, and is equal with the Father in every way. His power is the same as the power of God, and the same is true of all the other attributes of Deity. In 1 John 3:20 we read that God knows everything. Therefore, Jesus who is also omniscient knew Zacchaeus’s name. Jesus knew him, and could call him by his name. He was one of the sheep the Father had given Him before creation, and his name was written in the Lamb’s book of life. 
 

[hanks]

4. Why do you think Jesus said that He MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? What risk did Jesus take in doing this? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? To Zacchaeus? 
He must go to Zacchaeus’ house. It was a divine necessity, with divine timing, and at a divine location. As always, every act of Jesus was part of a divine plan, and this was part of God’s plan determined in eternity past. God sent Jesus Christ into this world to seek and to save what was lost (19:10), from before the foundation of the world. And this story of Zacchaeus is just a wonderful illustration of this. Humanly one would consider the risk Jesus faced was loss of popularity because of Him associating with a sinner. For to share a meal with a person, in that time, meant to accept them and share their life – the bad reputation of Zacchaeus a sinner. There was no risk to Jesus in doing this because this was a predetermined plan by God. The bystanders must have been displeased with the fact that Jesus had chosen Zacchaeus of all people, a tax collector - a notorious sinner! The implications for Zacchaeus were life changing for here on earth and for where he would be spending eternity. 
 

[hanks]

5. Which aspects of Jesus' ministry to Zacchaeus seem to motivate him the most? (1) Jesus' love and acceptance? (2) Jesus' reputation? (3) Zacchaeus' consciousness of his sinfulness? Others? 
The loving concern that Jesus had shown Zacchaeus changed him as a person. In just spending a little time with Jesus he became aware of his own sinfulness, and he knew he had to repent and make restitution, so he offered to compensate, even more than required, all those he had wronged. A great spiritual miracle had taken place, Zacchaeus was saved, rescued from bondage, guilt, and the penalty of his sin (19:9). Righteousness is the result of transformation. There was now a marvellous change of character, the dishonest man became honest, the selfish man became generous, and the sinful man became righteous. Instead of living for self, he began to live for the Saviour; instead of seeking the things of time, he began to seek the things of eternity. Not every habit in his life changed immediately, but his heart changed and he had become a new person in Christ. 
 

[hanks]

6. How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? What's the balance? How do we achieve this? 
Jesus taught us to actively seek people to save irrespective of who they are. It does not matter what their backgrounds are, their race, their culture, whether they are rich or poor – Jesus loves them all. Zacchaeus was a great sinner and a rich man. Both make him ordinarily impossible to enter the kingdom of God. But his conversion illustrates the truth of Luke 18:27, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” And we see Zacchaeus humble himself before our Saviour, and did not let his wealth come between his soul and God. So, it is not for us to judge. We are not to take any rejection or insults personally. Think of the rejection and insults our Lord had to endure because of our sins. On top of this He gave His life for us! We should not give in to social pressure and avoid certain groups of people who may be considered “untouchable” because of their political views, their immoral behaviour, or their lifestyle. Jesus loves them and they need to hear His Good News. 
 

[hanks]

7. Which shepherd role does Jesus comment on in this passage? (19:10) In what ways can His disciples be involved in this role? 
His mission is to seek and save the lost, which reminds me of the shepherd we studied earlier in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (15:1-7). So, He came to seek and save those like Zacchaeus who are lost. Following Jesus in our heart or head alone is not enough, as disciples we are to show our faith by our changed behaviour. It must be obvious to all that we are Christians, and in this way we may attract others to find out about our Lord Jesus. At the same time, we are to proclaim the gospel so that the lost may hear it (Romans 10:14). God sends out His servants. They preach the good news of salvation. Sinners hear God's offer of life in Christ. Some of those who hear believe the message. Those who believe call on the Lord. Those who call on Him are saved. By explaining the gospel, they can understand the facts of salvation and receive a personal invitation to respond willingly in repentance and faith to turn from their sins and receive Christ Jesus as their Saviour. 
 

[Irmela]

1. What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? About his life, his hopes, his desires?

Zacchaeus (the name derived from Zachariah, meaning, the righteous one) lived in Jericho.

He was a chief tax collector. That means he was an outcast as far as his fellow Isrelites were concerned. Seen as a traitor, as he worked for the Roman government. Tax collectors were known to cheat on the public to make themselves rich. We read he was rich. 

Zacchaeus was short in stature. 

He didn't care anymore what people thought of him, as he had no problem to fulfill his desire to see Jesus, by climbing a tree. (He was curious) 

One didn't do that, especially not a grown man. It was really humbling. 

[Irmela]

2. Why do the townspeople despise Zacchaeus so much?

Zacchaeus is despised and hated by the townspeople because he was working for the Romans and in the process was getting himself rich by exacting more money out of the people than was required. (That was the general trend of tax collectors). 

A chief tax collector was also responsible for exacting tolls on goods coming in from Perea to Judea. So Zacchaeus had ample chance to cheat the system. 

 

[Irmela]

3. How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? By divine knowledge? From the bystanders?

Even though He was truly Man Jesus was also truly God. In other passages we read that Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. So in this instance too, He knew Zacchaeus by name. He knew his character. He knew all about him. 

He called Zacchaeus by name before the bystanders could have told Him his name. Zacchaeus was in the tree, out of the way. 

He comes into view and gains publicity when Jesus calls him down and invites Himself to his home. 

[Irmela]

4.  Why do you think Jesus said that he MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? What risk did Jesus take in doing this? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? To Zacchaeus?

Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus. He went out of his way (even degrading himself, by climbing a tree) to see Jesus. Not even to talk to. Only to view Him. Jesus recognized this and determined by His actions to meet his need. Not only would Zacchaeus get to see Him but he would get a chance to meet Him good and proper. 

Because of this Jesus' popularity could dwindle. He was sharing time/a meal with a sinner/an outcast by Jewish standards. 

The bystanders were shocked, to say the least, and jealous that Jesus chose Zacchaeus as His host for that day. They looked at Jesus with contempt. 

Zacchaeus was starving spiritually as he was forbidden entrance to a synagogue because of his job. Jesus altered all this. 

Zacchaeus saw what Jesus gave up to be with him. He, in gratefulness repented. He promised to give half of his possessions to the poor. Also he promised to give back 4 times what he had cheated people from. 

Jesus declared Zacchaeus a true son of Abraham. 

It was as if his past bad reputation was all being washed away and he was given a new lease on life. 

 

[Irmela]

5. Which aspects of Jesus' ministry to Zacchaeus seem to motivate him the most? (1) Jesus' love and acceptance? (2) Jesus' reputation? (3) Zacchaeus' consciousness of his sinfulness? Others?

The love and acceptance by Jesus, of Zacchaeus, started the ball rolling. From this he realized Jesus' reputation was at stake because of His association with him, so Zacchaeus declared openly  his repentant state. He did more than what was required of him. 

His whole focus on life changed. 

[Irmela]

6. How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? What's the balance? How do we achieve this?

One needs to be very careful not to offend the people you want to present Christ to. If you are not at ease around a person, that is felt and they will easily be on the defensive. 

Jesus showed love and acceptance to Zacchaeus and that prompted the rest of what happened. 

I guess if under the leading of the Holy Spirit, one too shows love to the 'unloved/outcast' it too can have a successful ending. 

I guess achieving this is through prayer and wisdom from the Lord. (It is no good attempting something like this in one's own steam) 

[Irmela]

7. Which shepherd role does Jesus comment on in this passage? (19:10) In what ways can his disciples be involved in this role?

He came to seek and save that which was lost. 

Firstly we need to live as Christ would have us live. (actions speak louder than words) Then we can share the Gospel msg when they are ready to receive it. 

[Old Jerry]

What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? About his life, his hopes, his desires?

 

A. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and was hated by the people. He was a short man and he knew the route that Jesus was going to take. He must have known about Jesus and wanted to see him.

 

Why do the townspeople despise Zacchaeus so much?

 

A. Because he was a tax collector.

 

How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? By divine knowledge? From the bystanders?

 

A. I think that Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name by divine knowledge.

 

Why do you think Jesus said that he MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? What risk did Jesus take in doing this? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? To Zacchaeus?

 

A. That was the day that Jesus was appointed to stay with him. The risk that Jesus was taking was his reputation. The bystanders didn’t like it but Zacchaeus was delighted.

 

 

Which aspects of Jesus' ministry to Zacchaeus seem to motivate him the most? (1) Jesus' love and acceptance? (2) Jesus' reputation? (3) Zacchaeus' consciousness of his sinfulness? Others?

 

A. I think that Jesus’ love and acceptance and Zacchaeus’ consciousness of his sinful nature.

 

How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? What's the balance? How do we achieve this?

 

A. We don’t like talking to them therefore we don’t present Christ to them. We can be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting. We just have to pray and ask for guidance.

 

Which shepherd role does Jesus comment on in this passage? (19:10) In what ways can his disciples be involved in this role?

 

A. He loved him and we can to the same if we lose self-importance.

[Katy]

Q1. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, he was a chief tax collector who had other tax collectors under him. Therefore he would have received a percentage of the money they collected as well as the profit he made from the taxes he himself collected.He wanted to see Jesus and because of his low stature he found a good vantage point by climbing a tree. 
Q2.Zacchaeus was hated by the people because he was a tax collector and they were notorious for taking more taxes than was required so they grew rich, while others struggled to pay. They would be reported if they didn’t pay their taxes, and Herod soldiers would threaten them. Zacchaeus was looked upon as a spy and a traitor because he worked for Rome and robbed his own people. 
Q3. I think Jesus knew his name because He knew He would encounter someone whom His Father was going to bring across His path that day. Someone who was sick of his sin and ready to turn away from it and follow Jesus. Maybe the Father had discussed Zacchaeus with Jesus during one of their many times of prayer and communication.

Q4.Maybe Jesus wanted to see Zacchaeus make the decision to follow Him and He thought by staying with him was the best way of making sure that happen. Jesus took the risk of being rejected both by Zacchaeus and the people. The people may have rejected Jesus because they hated Zacchaeus so much. This was a huge opportunity for Zacchaeus to get to know Jesus, to listen to him and learn from Him. If he followed Jesus he could look forward to spending eternity in heaven with Jesus.

Q5.I think Zacchaeus is really sorry for his sins. He knows what he must do and straight away he promises to pay back more than to stole. He also promises to give half of his possessions to the poor. I am sure Jesus love and acceptance was really precious to him. He is hated by the people and probably has no friends. We are not told if he has any family. So to find that this famous man that everyone is talking about accepts you and loves you despite all your sins , must be a wonderful feeling.

Q6.Sometimes we think a particular person doesn’t want to know about Jesus so we use it as an excuse not to share Jesus with them. We rely on our own judgement instead of asking to be lead and guided by Jesus. We have been told to teach all men about Jesus, so it is not up to us to pick and choose. We need to seek out people and develop relationships with them  so that in the security of a trusting relationship we can share the love of Jesus with them. We will always be open to rejection and ridicule but if we love the Lord and are confident in Him He will lead and guide us. 
Q7.We can be ‘God’s Gloves’ now that He is not physically in this world. We can seek out those around us who are lost and befriend them and hopefully lead them to see the beauty of Christ. We have been given this special mission. 

[haar]

1.    What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? About his life, his hopes, his desires?

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, very rich yet, desired to see Jesus but was very short and the crows was thick. So he could not see Jesus and so he run and climbed a sycamore fig tree.

Why do the townspeople despise Zacchaeus so much?

The town people despised him because they knew that tax collector, they cheat by collecting tax in excess of what they remit to the Roman authorities.

2.    How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? By divine knowledge? From the bystanders?

Jesus knew Zacchaeus name by divine knowledge because being led by the Spirit, he could know what ordinarily, an ordinary person could not.

3.    Why do you think Jesus said that he MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? What risk did Jesus take in doing this? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? To Zacchaeus?

4.    I think Jesus said he must stay in Zacchaeus’s house that day because he had seen his spiritual need for salvation and had to act. He also needed to show everyone that everyone had the right to access salvation no matter how sinful he was.

But the risk he took in doing this was rejection  from the people.

5.    Which aspects of Jesus' ministry to Zacchaeus seem to motivate him the most? (1) Jesus' love and acceptance? (2) Jesus' reputation? (3) Zacchaeus' consciousness of his sinfulness? Others?

(1)  Jesus’s love and acceptance.

 

6.    How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? What's the balance? How do we achieve this?

Cynicism keeps us away from individuals that are victims of our attitude and thus robe us of the access needed to initiate presentation of the gospel of Christ to such people.

7.    Which shepherd role does Jesus comment on in this passage? (19:10) In what ways can his disciples be involved in this role?

A shepherd usually abandons the flock in search of the loss of one strayed sheep. Zacchaeus was like a lost sheep that needed to be rescued and Jesus did just that. So we disciples need to be on the alert to locate a lost sheep and be ready to initiate the process of recovering the lost sheep.

We as His disciples should always be on the look out lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. Lord God Almighty, help me to do so.

[kreilly]

What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? About his life, his hopes, his desires?

This is hypothetical, but I wonder if Zacchaeus was a little person.  He obviously had no hope of seeing Jesus through the crowd even if he got there first or edged his way to the front, so he must have been really short.  He must have been intelligent and ambitious because he had climbed the tax collector ladder to be chief tax collector, which I would imagine would be even more difficult back then as an extremely short person.  Also, he was very persistent, he planned ahead and made sure he had a way to see Jesus when He came through town.  

How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? By divine knowledge? From the bystanders?

I think the Holy Spirit revealed this knowledge to Jesus. 

Why do you think Jesus said that he MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? What risk did Jesus take in doing this? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? To Zacchaeus?

Haar gave a great answer that I would agree with. 

How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? What's the balance? How do we achieve this?

I am so guilty of this.  Many people I encounter seem to have their guard up when it comes to hearing about Jesus.  In turn, that has discouraged me and made me feel like witnessing about Jesus is a lost cause because nobody wants to hear about Him.  I know this is from the devil, but it is hard to break out of this thinking.  Some wonderful mentors explained it to me like this, we are just there to scatter the seed, God provides the harvest.  Sometimes I think we get caught up in perfectionism, thinking if we share Jesus, we are a failure if people don't accept the message.  That is not true, regardless of their reaction, be it hostile, apathetic, avoidant, or possibly gladly accepting the truth; we can rest assured that we did our part.  God gave us the job to share the gospel, not insist that others see the truth.  He will send others to till the soil and water the seed for those who don't accept the truth right away.  Plus, He never forces Himself on anyone, so there will always be those who choose to reject Him and be their own god.  I think we always make ourselves vulnerable when we share the gospel, but that's okay because we trust God, not man. 

 

[George L]

1. What do we learn about Zacchaeus in verses 1-4? He saught to overcome his stature to see the real Jesus. Limiting yourself to these verses, what do you know about Zacchaeus? Goal setting overcomer of his physical limits. About his life, his hopes, his desires? He was into the real, not the imaginary. He wanted to see the ohysical Jesus.
2. Why do the townspeople despise Zacchaeus so much? He was are of the occupying governments enforcement of taxation,
3. How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name? Yes.  By divine knowledge? Yes. From the bystanders? No,e he called him before the reaction of the crowd who had no readon to notice Zacchaeus before this.
4. Why do you think Jesus said that he MUST stay at Zacchaeus' house that very day? He only did what he saw his father doing. What risk did Jesus take in doing this? Truly is there really a risk if we obey a curaately what the ho,y spirit is telling us to do? What were the implications of this action to the bystanders? The become aware there is much more depth to ‘no rspector of persons’.  To Zacchaeus? Astonishment, then amazement at the pronouncement of saving grace.
5. Which aspects of Jesus' ministry to Zacchaeus seem to motivate him the most? (1) Jesus' love and acceptance? (2) Jesus' reputation? (3) Zacchaeus' consciousness of his sinfulness? Others?
6. How does our cynicism about people keep us from presenting Christ to them? I would say we fail to plow the ground and go freelancing instead of working a prepared ground forvour crop. Can we be open and loving without being vulnerable and overly trusting? Strange balance easy to go beyond appropriate. Never should we move the focus to ourself as source not God through the word and Jesus intercession. What's the balance? Keep praying you hear the spirit for go and stop. How do we achieve this? Prayer.
7. Which shepherd role does Jesus comment on in this passage? Shepherd. (19:10) In what ways can his disciples be involved in this role? It is our nob these days. Find the lost sheep, bring them to the fold.