The Greatest Search and Rescue
Luke 19:1-10 (4/2/2017)
Introduction:
"Estamos bien en el refugio,
los 33. "("We are well IN THE SHELTER, the 33.") That seven-word
message set off a wave of euphoria in Chile and around the world. It had been
written in red letters on a scrap of paper and taped to a drill bit that
penetrated an area of a gold and copper mine just north of Copiapó in the
Atacama Desert of northern Chile-written by the 33 miners who had been trapped
2,300 feet underground 17 days earlier.
There was every reason to believe that
the miners had not survived the initial cave-in and, if they had survived, they
would likely starve to death before they could be reached. But "the 33" survived the blast and took
refuge in an area three miles from the entrance to the mine. Then 17 days
later, when a 6 ½ inch exploratory drill bit punched through the roof into
their pitch-black sanctuary, they let the world know: "Estamos
bien"-"We are well."
As
soon as rescuers discovered the miners were alive, a collaborative
effort began to devise a way to get them out. The rescuers included three
international drilling rig teams, every ministry of the Chilean government,
engineers and technicians from NASA, and more than a dozen multinational
corporations. On October 13, 2010, fifty-two days after the miners were
discovered-69 days since the cave-in-all 33 were brought to the surface alive.
It is
estimated that more than one billion people around the world watched some or
all of the televised rescue of "the 33." By far it is one of the most
watched rescue operations in modern history. Thank God for the rescuers and
those who were trapped for not giving up their hope. However, there is another ongoing
search and rescue operation underway that is seldom reported by the Media or talked
about by people. I
would like to share with you the story of a man who was very wealthy but has
been ostracized and rejected by society. He wanted to live a life of freedom
and happiness but has been trapped in his own fears and hang-ups. He has been
the subject of one of the greatest search and rescue operations, his name is Zacchaeus.
I title this message: “The Greatest Search and Rescue” Luke
19:1-10. The
context of this story. Jesus was on the last phase of his journey to Jerusalem
where he was going to accomplish his mission. On his way to Jerusalem Jesus met
with several seekers. Firstly, a rich young ruler who wanted to know how to get
saved, but when Jesus told what he must do he was unwilling to part with his
earthly riches so that he might inherit eternal riches.
Secondly, a desperate blind beggar
who badly wanted his sight back. When he heard that Jesus was passing by him he
shouted “Jesus Son of David have mercy on me” the crowds tried to calm him down
but the blind man kept crying, “Son of David have mercy on me” Jesus stopped by
and restored the sight to the blind man.
I. ZACCHAEUS WANTED TO SEE JESUS
I. ZACCHAEUS WANTED TO SEE JESUS
Thirdly, a rich chief of tax
collectors, Zacchaeus who wanted to see who Jesus was. The story
of Zacchaeus is familiar to many of us, we have heard it from our childhood,
and because of its familiarity we fail to see some life changing principles. At
the offset a lot seems to be going for Zacchaeus. He is a Jew, a chief tax
collector, and he is wealthy. What more one would wish? But if we take a deeper
look at Zacchaeus in spite of all his wealth and influence he seems to be
miserable and missing something.
Isn’t that somewhat true with us?
Somehow modern man believed a lie that, the more “wealthy and successful he
becomes the happier he will be.” We envy celebrities on TV because of their
good looks, fashionable clothes and all they seem to enjoy. They are rich and
famous, but we don’t realize is that many of them are miserable.
They deal with multiple divorces,
court cases over property and relational matters. They are addicted to drugs and
so on. But they know how to pretend in front of a camera and media. As an old saying goes “all that glitters is
not gold” Wealth can buy you a lot of things, but it cannot give you everything
you need in life. It cannot bring you joy and peace. What makes a person
peaceful and joyful? It is living in right relationship with God, oneself and
one another.
That was missing in Zacchaeus. He
was not living in right relationship with God, himself and with others. Partly
because of the way he has earned his money and also how he was perceived by his
fellow Jews. During ancient times if any Jew worked for the Roman government he
was ostracized by the rest of the Jews. Here Zacchaeus was collecting taxes
from his fellow Jews and giving it to the Roman government, not only that he
was the Chief of tax collectors. Can you imagine the wrath he might have faced
by his fellow citizens?
Zacchaeus
must have heard about how Jesus healed the ten lepers, healed the blind beggar
and how he put the rich young ruler in place. But he was not satisfied just
listening to those wonderful stories, he just wanted to see who this
Jesus was. Similarly, you may have been attending Church all your life, you
heard about Jesus, you read about him or even sang praise songs to him but do
you really know him? Hearing about Jesus and having a personal relationship with
him are two different things. I too went to Church all my life and read the
Bible but not until the age of seventeen I had a personal relationship with
Jesus
Zacchaeus had a strong desire to
see, in NASB it says, “he was trying to see who Jesus was” but there were several
hurdles he had to overcome before he could see Jesus. How did he overcome his hurdles? Zacchaeus had a few
hurdles to overcome. Firstly, he was a high-ranking officer, a chief tax
collector that didn’t give him a credible standing in the Jewish society.
Secondly, the crowds, wherever Jesus went he was surrounded by huge crowds
wanting to touch him for healing, and the adversaries who wanted to find faults.
It is like trying to get through to
Tom Brady. He may be surrounded by fans, the body guards and the police. It
will be pretty tough to get near to him. Thirdly, Zacchaeus had a physical
hurdle to overcome. He was small in stature may be five foot tall. What are your hurdles
that you need to overcome so that you could be with Jesus? They could be your pursuit of wanting to be
rich, or your social life, or simply your pride.
Zacchaeus
did not let his hurdles to stop him from reaching his goal of wanting to Jesus.
He was intentional, determined and creative. He went to extraordinary lengths
to fulfill his quest even enduring the probable shame of climbing a tree
despite his adult male status and position in the community as a wealthy ruler.
In the same way when we have a strong desire and are determined to know Jesus
we would be willing to go to any lengths. Nothing will hold you back. It was like
my Iranian Muslim friend in India when she heard about Jesus she invited him into
her heart. She didn’t care about the repercussions and the possible
persecution.
II
GOD’S ULTIMATE DESIRE (Vs4-5)
Zacchaeus knew which way Jesus was coming so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Why did Zacchaeus choose to climb this particular tree and not any other tree? Firstly, because it was fairly a common tree in the foothills of Palestine. The sycamore (Fiscus sycomorus) is a type of tree growing only in the Jordan Valley and near the Mediterranean coast. The sycamore is pictured as growing in abundance in 1 Kings 10:27. The sycamore is not the same as the tree by that name that grows in North America. The sycamore tree belongs to the nettle family, like the mulberry and fig trees.
Zacchaeus knew which way Jesus was coming so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Why did Zacchaeus choose to climb this particular tree and not any other tree? Firstly, because it was fairly a common tree in the foothills of Palestine. The sycamore (Fiscus sycomorus) is a type of tree growing only in the Jordan Valley and near the Mediterranean coast. The sycamore is pictured as growing in abundance in 1 Kings 10:27. The sycamore is not the same as the tree by that name that grows in North America. The sycamore tree belongs to the nettle family, like the mulberry and fig trees.
The fruit looks like a fig, but the
taste is unpleasant. It is eaten by the poor. The limbs are low. Even a child
could climb into the tree to get a better view.[1]
Secondly, it has wide-spreading branches and affords a delightful shade.
Zacchaeus perhaps wanted to be anonymous and just take a peek at Jesus while he
was passing by without anyone noticing him. Thirdly, sycamore figs are inferior
character. In Amos 7:14 where the prophet Amos referred himself not as a
prophet but just the grower of sycamore figs, he must have been reflecting on
his own inferiority More than one way Zacchaeus must have been carrying a very
poor perception of himself. After being rejected by the crowds he must have
been going through tremendous rejection. Whatever may be the reason for
Zacchaeus to choose to climb the sycamore tree, now here he was hiding in the
tree.
The
commotion of the crowds was drawing nearer and nearer and suddenly it stopped
just under his tree. This is the chance of a life time. The one he heard a lot
about and the one who he always wanted to see was just right under the tree.
Can you imagine the emotional high of Zacchaeus? Jesus the miracle worker, the
great and powerful teacher of the Kingdom, the one who raised people from the
dead was now standing under an insignificant fig tree.
Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus
come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Upon hearing that
Zacchaeus must have fallen down from the tree!! The writer here mildly put it
saying, “so he came down at once” and welcomed him gladly.”
Who here wouldn’t want to welcome
Jesus if he invites himself to your home? I would love it too. If Jesus were to
walk into your home, your life, and your marriage, what would that be like? You
too will be changed forever like Zacchaeus. God’s ultimate desires is that all
would be saved “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to
repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. To that extent God has been conducting this, Greatest
Search and Rescue operation in the world.
III. THE GREATEST SEARCH & RESCUE :( Vs8-10)
This was the climactic moment in the story which the author Luke captured so vividly. Just imagine Jesus, his disciples were reclining at the table and enjoying the rich hospitality of this wealthy man. The grumbling and complaining crowds must have been standing all around the house and outside. Without Christ saying anything the truth dawned upon Zacchaeus. He discovered what was hindering him from receiving true Joy, which was his wealth. He was willing to let go of the grip of money on his life. So, he stood up in front of everybody and made a bold confession. “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.
This was the climactic moment in the story which the author Luke captured so vividly. Just imagine Jesus, his disciples were reclining at the table and enjoying the rich hospitality of this wealthy man. The grumbling and complaining crowds must have been standing all around the house and outside. Without Christ saying anything the truth dawned upon Zacchaeus. He discovered what was hindering him from receiving true Joy, which was his wealth. He was willing to let go of the grip of money on his life. So, he stood up in front of everybody and made a bold confession. “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.
Up
until now Zacchaeus was a slave to money, trapped in his own fears, inhibitions
and rejection. He was bound by his physical limitations, but with that
confession he declared Jesus as Lord not only over his life but over his money,
over his possessions and everything that was hindering him. Christ the
ultimate rescuer of souls proclaimed salvation to Zacchaeus saying “Today
salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For
the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. I Thank God for he
searched me and rescued me.
Seeking and saving sinners is indeed
the greatest search and rescue operation ever. Each time when a sinner who has
been trapped in his sins has been forgiven and is freed up and offered eternal
life, there is great celebration in heaven. Jesus has been on the greatest
search and rescue mission ever. By the power of the Holy Spirit He is searching
and saving the lost.
Are you like Zacchaeus though seems to
have everything yet feeling lonely and rejected? Are you trapped in your own sin
and dilapidating habits? More than you want to be free, Jesus is desiring to
set you free. He is right here standing and knocking at the door of your heart,
will you receive him gladly like Zacchaeus did, I guarantee that your life will
forever be changed. Amen
