By Peter Biggs

Luke 18:18-27 + Luke 19

INTRODUCTION:
I just heard on the news of a couple winning $15 million. Like many I am on EI with an uncertain future. I felt a kind of a 'pang' in my heart - not jealosyt, not even (quite) covetousness even. I wondered what I would do, how I would feel different with $15 miilion... under it all there was an insidious whispering... "BE HAPPY..." Do I believe that wealth = happiness? Did Jesus?

I have known a few people who were 'independently wealthy.' They were humble, everyday types. Oh they lived in an opulent house, drove $100K+ vehlicles, and had 'toys' & travelled tons. Although they were genuine and good people, it was kind of hard to relate to their everyday lifestyle.
I think I discerned this inhibiting depth in their relationships. People they might normally relate to, without judgment or jealousy, just didn't feel comfortable in their $3 million home.

Wealth brings an unavoidable weight of responsibilities. Their wealth supported people... ministries and their business success employed hundreds. It's hard to cease support of people/ministries - even if they are not doing well. Plus, the regular requests for money from people.

TWO RICH GUYS
Jesus has a lot to say about money. Luke describes Jesus interactions with two rich people. One goes away sad, the other filled with joy. There's marked contrast.
Luke 18:18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No-one is good--except God alone.
20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.'"
21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26 Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
This man had been very religious adhering to the law, but it wasn't enough. He was uncertain, he had everything but knew he would ultimately have nothing, when he died.
As is always the case God shows us our 'gods'.
Much is spoken of in Scripture about riches. They may be talents we have, skills... whatever sustains self-sufficiency.
I know of few if any who are monied, that are unaffected negatively. "Who then can be saved?"
It seemed SO outrageous, the bar SO high. Who would give away so much for such uncertain gain? The disciples had done so however most of them were not rich.

They're question was about to be answered... in just 24 more verses...
Luke 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner'."
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "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."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
This was a spectacular contrast.
Zacchaeus was a CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR for the very prosperous region of Jericho. He collected taxes for the occupying power the Romans. As such he was absolutely despised by his countrymen.

Although his name means "the righteous one" and he was a Jew, he had betrayed his people, furthermore he charged them over and above the Roman rate to make money for himself, he is described as "wealthy".

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He was protected by the power of Rome. He was a social outcast, his only place to not be judged was among other crooks and villains. No one would let HIM to the front to see Jesus!

He wanted to see Jesus. The road was lined with trees. Something about the moment... it might never come again. He did a very foolish thing (for an adult business man). Like a kid he ran ahead and climbed a tree!

What was it Jesus saw?
Something Jesus noticed... was it the unusual sight of a 'power suit' up a tree?

As a pastor I can remember sometimes noticing something different in the crowd at church. A person who looks ill at ease... they feel different, perhaps disqualified, yet occasionally they are there because they are drawn... to find God.

Although he barely saw Jesus, Jesus clearly saw him. He halted, turned, looked up... then spoke - actually with great urgency (Notice the words "immediately", "today", "must").

Nothing is optional with God, it was not the 'ten suggestions'. 'Love one another - if you feel you can. Many people come to faith knowing that they HAVE to decide right then and there.
Luke 9:59 He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family."
62 Jesus replied, "No-one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

If we think that we can ask God to 'wait' when he calls us... choose our time to come to him??? That is the opposite response to Zacchaeus.

Heb 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

The offer to Zach was substantial and scandalous to all around him. The offer of TABLE FELLOWSHIP. Acceptance, Direction, I MUST stay at YOUR house.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner'."

He watched Jesus endure the judgment of the crowd... he knew how that felt. It seems there was a period of time before Zacchaeus stood up and pronounced to the Lord, (notice not to the people)

V8... "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."
The Law only required paying back twice the amount. This is very generous.

This was his heart's response to being given salvation, not his attempt to earn salvation.

Faith and Salvation is a non-deserved gift. This is what the Bible describes as 'grace'. Unmerited favour and love, forgiveness and acceptance as sons and daughters. Affirmation, when we deserve judgment.

NOTHING absolutely nothing changes the heart like the grace that God shows us. Sins forgiven - motivates us to worship God (not money, pleasures, or power). Think of this man - So rich yet so poor - guilt laden, ostracized, heart lonely in his wealth.

I have a friend. An old neighbor..., He's an alcoholic, he's covered in tattoos and photographs porn artists. He has deep wounds and needs in his life... I heard recently that has got markedly worse... erratic anger... most people are alienated from him. Yesterday I was walking through a car park and he came to mind... I started to pray... Oh God, I pray for 'Bill'... I pondered his life of damaging sin... his cavernous need... what would he need Lord.

Tell me Lord... At that precise moment I looked up and there was a bumper sticker... it simply said "Praise the Lord". It sounds like a clichˇ, it is not. He will start with a clean slate, He will worship, he will give he will weep for joy. Being made right with God (Justification) brings immediate change. He becomes our first love. Then begins the lifelong transformation of character - being made like God (Sancification). Since I first wrote this Ron (his real name) died. I hope he turned to God - perhaps like the thief on the cross next to Jesus.

Luke 5:31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

November 12/2009