Bible Study Lesson:
Luke 19: 1- 10
Q. What can you learn about Zacchaeus?
- Chief Tax Collector, Rich!
- Jew, Short, Corrupt
- Sinful (Luke 19:7), Not a reputed man, often ridiculed or hated among the Jews
Q. Meaning of ‘Zacchaeus’?
- Clean, pure (CCEL)
- What an irony, his name meant clean and pure, but he was one of the chief corrupted man in Jericho!
Q. Why did Zacchaeus come to see Jesus?
- Must have heard about this Rabbi.
- Must be desperate to see Jesus (Not every one climbs a tree to see Jesus!)
- He would have just wanted to have a glance at this Jesus.
- He did not expect Jesus to be his guest!
Q. What did his actions tell about his need/desire to see Jesus?
- We all know about his desperation in climbing a tree. But we often miss a rather insignificant act just before that.
- Luke 19:4 – “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”
- He RAN ahead and climbed the tree. He made an effort to run ahead and climb the tree!
- He prepared himself for the most clear view of Jesus. He made an initial effort to see Jesus without any hindrance or obstacle. He set aside all the ridicule or mockery he might receive from people.
- I strongly believe that this simple and insignificant act tells a lot about his heart. He was ready to receive Jesus, into his home and his heart!
- Many people were in that crowd. They would also have heard about Jesus, they also came to see him. They might have a glimpse at this famous miracle-worker. Many would have gone home, missing the view, thinking, “may be next time, I would see him.”
- But Zacchaeus prepared himself to see Jesus. He made an effort. He did not give up.
- If you long to see Jesus, if you are ready for Jesus, Jesus will definitely notice you!
Q. What is very striking observation in V. 5?
- Jesus called him by his name ‘Zacchaeus’, Jesus knew him by his name even though he never met him before.
- It was not Zacchaeus, who invited Jesus. It was Jesus, who invited Zacchaeus!
- All he needed to do was to receive it.
- And he did so with grateful, joyful heart.
Q. What was people’s response?
- Grumbling, complaining
- Guest of a ‘Sinner’!
- They did not see, what Jesus could see.
Q. Where prompted Zacchaeus’ generosity?
- Change of Heart also reflects change of attitude and actions.
- He accepted the fact that He had cheated others. He confessed his wrong doings. But he paid them back what was required by the law. (Exodus 22:1, 2 Sam 12:6)
- He could have given four times, he had taken according to the law and that should be enough.
- But He first gave half of all his possessions to the poor! (That is a lot of money.) And from the remaining, he paid for his wrongdoings. It shows the overflowing joy, love and generosity.
- Jesus did not even tell him to do so. It came so naturally from the change of heart.
- In previous chapter, Luke 18:18-30, we see another rich ruler, a man of high regard, respect in the society, a religious person. But he failed to know who Jesus really is! What a pity that he could not leave his riches, when Jesus told him to do so. (Luke 18:23)
Q. What was Jesus’ proclamation?
- “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.”
- Zacchaeus was saved by his faith in Jesus Christ, just as Abraham. (Romans 4:13, Romans 5:1)
- Jesus proclaimed his mission on the earth, “To Seek and Save the lost.”
The Story of Zacchaeus and Jesus is one of the most fascinating and dramatic stories in the gospels. It is a story of Jesus reaching out to neglected and despised of the world.
Jesus is ready to be your guest in your home and heart, are you ready to accept his invitation?
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Great Study! Thank you for posting this. I had never caught the significance of Zacchaeus running ahead, as well as climbing the tree. What a great example for us, to do whatever we have to do to get a clear view of Jesus. I also love the part about the meaning of Zacchaeus’s name. Never knew that before. I look forward to visiting again!
This massage really blesses me always.God bless you all
This was a helpful bible study on Zacchaeus!! It helped me to see mor of the meaning behind this great story! Thanks for posting it.
This is really useful to me.I heard the story and read the passage in the bible many times. but, this is very useful, approach is different way. Thank you for posting it
A Great lesson. Zaccheaus showed such determination and faith by climbing a sycmore tree to get a clear view of Jesus, and was made whole after Jesus visit to his home. It was a story of forgiveness and restitution. I enjoyed it so much. I will visit again soon. Thank you.
This is fantastic. It reveals alot.
Awesome Study, on Zacchaeus….. thank you for the breakage of the importance of pushing past the “OBVIOUS” (tree climbing) and get to the root “URGENCY” of the message in the importance of stop focusing on what everyone else see, and catch the inner sight of needed material, Wonderful teaching To God Be The Glory……….,
As a student I found this teaching about this graet story both helpful and insightful as I am sure many other people will too. There is so much to learn from this story and this item helped explain these more clearly to me.
So for this, thank you – I will look more closely at my life and how I may get closer to God and his message. I will grasp opportunities to welcome God into my life through my attitude and faith in his good work.
Damian,
I agree story of Zacchaeus is one of the most fascinating and profound story of God reaching out to men. Thanks for the insight.
Guest of a sinner article was so wonderful, the narration and the explanation is ver clear.
i was really blessed by this article
Samuel
Thanks soooooooooooooooooo much for the awesome post.
this was just the thing I needed today!!!
Zacchaeus desire to experience Jesus up close, led to Jesus staying as a house guest. Does our smallest act of love toward our Lord always get returned to us exceeding our expectations? Yes, no one loves me like Jesus does. A lifetime of His loving kindness toward me has given me more than enough, more than neccessary. I am well loved!
thank it really open my eyes to jesus attitude and character for the lost souls i have to interceed on the souls that are perishing