JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS BIBLE STUDY, REFLECTION
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10)
Conversion of Zacchaeus the Publican in the Bible, bible study on Jesus and Zacchaeus
Goals:
1) Understand that to achieve God’s favor, we only need to show interest in getting to know him more, just as Zacchaeus did in the Bible, no matter what they say
What we can learn from Zacchaeus in the Bible
We will be addressing how a man famous for his bad behavior (Zacchaeus the tax collector) chose to receive Jesus into his home and heart, he renounced being a vile man, to become an administrator of God’s goods.
JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS IN THE BIBLE: A DESIRED BUT UNEXPECTED MEETING
Zacchaeus in the Bible
Zacchaeus: Hebrew name meaning “pure.” He was the head of the tax collectors, in charge of collecting and paying the fee to Rome. Rome did not care how much Zacchaeus charged, the only thing that mattered to him was ensuring the established quota and this gave rise to being accused of charging more than fair.
The name of Zacchaeus was always mentioned in the city of Jericho, and the rest of the country of Israel, very well recognized for its size and employment, hated by the inhabitants of Jericho and condemned by the Pharisees and other religionists of the time, had not place for him in their hearts, but in the heart of Jesus.
Jesus and Zacchaeus, who was trying to see who Jesus was
Zacchaeus had probably heard of Jesus, he knew that Jesus was a just man, who had no prejudice to talk to people of his level. Zacchaeus’ curiosity to meet Jesus led him to climb a sycamore tree, since he was small in stature, we could interpret that he was twice small in stature (Physical and spiritual).
JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS IN THE BIBLE: THE INVITATION OF JESUS CHRIST TO COME DOWN AND POSE IN HIS HOUSE
Zacchaeus in the Bible, being invited to come down from the tree
Tremendous surprise, discovered by the omniscience of Jesus, God knows everything (Psalm 139:1-12), but it seems that Zacchaeus the publican was not sorry that they discovered him, he heard something even greater, “Today I will stay at your house” the invitation to come down is urgent.
Being on top of the tree and staying on top would not benefit the publican Zacchaeus at all, the law of gravity says that everything that is pulled up has to come down, but the law of the kingdom says that everything that goes down goes up (Matthew 23: 12), Zacchaeus came down and received him with joy.
Jesus cannot be impressed with our self-centered attitudes, if we want to go up, we have to learn to go down (John 3:30)
Jesus and Zacchaeus, who, according to the Bible, embraced salvation despite critics
What will they say had no place that day, the critical eye was there, criticizing the teacher and Zacchaeus, but the meeting was great and the conversation was pleasant like two great friends. Zacchaeus’s attitude was so spontaneous and sincere that he didn’t even ask Jesus what will I do to be saved? From the heart of Zacchaeus was born the desire to give up his material ambitions, not like the rich young ruler (Matthew 9:16).
Zacchaeus did not say that he had defrauded someone, he put a condition: “if I have defrauded someone”, in other words it would be “if there is a possibility that I have cheated”, not necessarily denying or affirming that he was a thief.
Israel had a tradition of returning what was stolen. If the thief confessed, he had to pay back the amount stolen plus one-fifth (Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:7). If an animal was stolen and the animal was alive, double had to be paid, that is, another animal. If the stolen animal was dead, then four or five times as much had to be paid (Exodus 22:1, 3-4; 2 Samuel 12:6).
THE RESPONSE OF ZACCHAEUS IN THE BIBLE WAS PRAISE BY JESUS
Jesus and Zacchaeus in the Bible, what we can learn from this story
Today salvation has come to this house. With this the teacher was saying: Behold, a man who renounces to continue being vile, deserves to be an administrator of the kingdom. “Because he also is a son of Abraham,” Jesus was radical in his determination.
Jesus was changing the definition and basis of being a son of Abraham. He was no longer there for his family heritage, but for his response to God.
Zacchaeus in the Bible went from being vile to being an administrator of the kingdom.
After Zacchaeus the publican’s conversation, the teacher takes the opportunity to clarify about his kingdom and how brave and sincere he needs his followers to be. Jesus tries to explain that his kingdom would not be given immediately; and he does it through the parable of the ten minas.
This is the only parable of Jesus that is based on historical fact. When Herod the Great died in 4 BC, he left his kingdom divided between Herod Antipas, Herod Philip, and Archelaus.
This aforementioned division had to be ratified by the Romans before it became effective. Archelaus, to whom Judea had corresponded, went to Rome to try to convince Augustus to recognize his right; but the Jews sent an embassy of fifty men to tell Augustus that they did not want Archelaus.
Augustus confirmed Archelaus in his inheritance, although without the title of king. So anyone who heard this parable in Judea would remember the historical fact; but the important thing is that it illustrates great truths of the followers of Christ. He also takes this example to explain that he is the King they did not receive (John 1:11).
CONCLUSION ON THE BIBLICAL STUDY OF ZACCHAEUS
Zacchaeus in the Bible, many like him need to hear the message of salvation. What we can learn.
In conclusion, we must be clear that today there are people despised by society, who thirst for God like Zacchaeus, and wait for someone to give them the message, but while that happens, the Lord’s church is distracted by other adventures, and when we see They, in their thirst for searches, find other congregations that are going the wrong way.
It is time to speak the word of God without prejudice, that Jesus will be in charge of operating in those hearts, changing them and hiring them to be administrators of his kingdom. So, run church, grow and multiply, that the owner of the vineyard will call us on account, since there are many Zacchaeus who need to hear the message of salvation.