Seeking and Saving the Lost

Jesus seeks out Zacchaeus, showing His mission to save the lost.

Luke 19 is a rich chapter, filled with key events, including:

• Jesus visits Zacchaeus’ house
• The Parable of the Minas
• The Triumphal Entry
• Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
• Jesus cleanses the temple

Encouraging Verse: Luke 19:10

• NASB: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
• NIV: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

The Context

This chapter begins with the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector. We are told he wanted to see who Jesus was. As mentioned in the previous chapter, Jesus had been very busy teaching and healing. Zacchaeus, being short, climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view. When Jesus passed by, He called out to Zacchaeus and invited Himself to his house. The onlookers were disturbed that Jesus chose to spend time with such a despised tax collector. However, this visit led Zacchaeus to repentance, and Jesus proclaimed that salvation had come to his house.

This brings us to today’s encouraging verse! 😊

My Thoughts

I don’t know about you, but whenever I read this verse, I can’t help but hear the tune of the song:
“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he;
He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see…”
The cute nursery rhyme almost minimizes the tremendous lessons we can learn from this moment in Jesus’ life.

It’s no accident that this specific incident is recounted, particularly before Jesus refers to the Psalm recognizing Him as the Chief Cornerstone. Let’s look at why Zacchaeus was singled out. There were many people wanting to see Jesus, and I’m sure He shared meals with others besides His disciples. So why Zacchaeus?

1. His Stature

Zacchaeus was short. Why is this important? Unfortunately, society sometimes measures a person’s worth based on stature. This was likely true in Jesus’ day as well. We might infer that Zacchaeus was seen as less significant by those who associated height with importance. Also, had he been taller, he might have had a better vantage point and wouldn’t have needed to climb the tree. But I believe the tree climb speaks to Zacchaeus’ desperation to see Jesus—just like the men who climbed the roof to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus:
“When they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat, through the tiles, into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 5:19-20)

Both stories show how Jesus responds to those who long for Him with all their heart. Jeremiah 29:13 teaches, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Zacchaeus wasn’t ashamed to look foolish. He sought Jesus with all his might! So there was his physical appearance, why else was this man highlighted?

2. His Occupation

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. Tax collectors were despised by the Jews and considered the greatest of sinners by the religious elite. This is evident in the story where the people mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” We also see this hostility in other passages:

• Luke 18:11: “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’”
• Matthew 9:10–11: “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’”
• Matthew 5:46: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”

Zacchaeus wasn’t just any tax collector—he was a chief tax collector, so he was particularly despised. Tax collectors worked for the Roman authorities, collecting taxes on goods, property, and tolls. They often used unethical practices, inflating prices or demanding excessive payments to line their own pockets. So we can understand how his role in collaborating with the Roman government and his likely dishonesty in overcharging people would have made him so hated!

This story shows that Jesus came for everyone. He didn’t care about appearance, race, nationality, or occupation. He even called a tax collector to be one of His disciples! Jesus came to seek and save all who are lost.

The Outcome of Jesus’ Love:

Three key things happened when Zacchaeus encountered Jesus:

1. Immediate Repentance
   When we truly encounter Jesus, we become aware of our sinful nature and desire to be right before a Holy God. This is why the sinner’s prayer for salvation often starts with acknowledging that we are sinners. We see the importance of repentance in Acts 2:38:
   “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Zacchaeus immediately repented and promised to make restitution to those he wronged.

2. Immediate Salvation
   Jesus said salvation came to Zacchaeus that very day. Salvation (Greek: sōtēria) means to save, rescue, or deliver. The outcome of Zacchaeus’ repentance was immediate salvation.
3. Adoption into God’s Family
   Jesus proclaimed Zacchaeus as a “son of Abraham,” thus restoring him to the family of God’s chosen people. Interestingly, there’s no mention of Zacchaeus changing his occupation.

Jesus’ Mission to the Lost

In addition to Luke 19:10, where Jesus states His mission to seek and save the lost, here are some other scriptures that highlight His mission to the lost people of Israel, God’s chosen people:

• John 1:11: “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.”
• Matthew 15:24: “He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’”
• Matthew 10:5-6: “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”

But what about us, the Gentiles? The great news of the gospel is that salvation is for all! Ephesians 2:12-13 tells us:
“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 3:6:
“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:29:
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Practical Application

• Understand that all Jesus did is available to us today! Gain an understanding of what it means to be part of Abraham’s family and an heir.
• Seek God with all your heart.
• Never let condemnation hinder your pursuit of Christ.
• Recognize that Christ’s opinion always supersedes the opinion of others.
• Stay in a place of repentance. Regularly examine your heart, confess your sins to God, and strive to make amends.
• Rejoice in your salvation! Know that you’ve been saved, delivered, and brought into the marvelous light of Christ.

Your Turn 😊

• What are your thoughts on Luke 19:10?
• Think about your own “tree climb” in pursuing Jesus, share your stories or struggles in the comments section.
• How can you apply this passage to your life?
• Do you have a favorite verse or takeaway from this chapter?