Read Luke 19:1-10.
Appearing exclusively in Luke’s gospel, we have a colorful story about a man named Zacchaeus who lived in a city called Jericho. This city played an important part in Israel’s original entrance into the Promised Land in the Old Testament. After traveling from Egypt and through the desert, Israel crossed over the Jordan River into the land God had promised them. Jericho was the first town to be defeated. Read this miraculous story in Joshua 2 and 6. After destroying the city and everyone in it (except for Rahab and her family), Joshua pronounced a curse on this city (Joshua 6:26). Whoever tried to rebuild it would lose their oldest and youngest child (1 Kings 16:34). In our passage today, Jesus entered a cursed city and blessed it with His presence and an opportunity.
What do you learn about Zacchaeus in 19:2-4? Read what Jesus had to say about the rich just a few verses earlier in Luke 18:18-27. Perhaps Zacchaeus’ story will prove Jesus’ words in verse 27 were true.
How did Jesus meet Zacchaeus in 19:5, and what did He say? What was Zacchaeus’ response in 19:6? How did the onlookers react in 19:7? It seems that Zacchaeus heard what the people were saying about him. What was his promise in 19:8? Do you think Zacchaeus’ intentions proved himself worthy of a visit from Jesus?
Jesus responds to this scene with two statements in 19:9-10. What does He say? Jesus’ proclamation that He is the Son of Man comes from Daniel 7:13. What is the promise given to the Son of Man there?
Read the parable Jesus then tells to the whole group gathered in 19:11-27. Jesus often told stories designed to teach a lesson. This one contains the larger point that Jesus wants to make. Notice the final rebuke of the story in 19:27. If they were truly listening, the people would understand that they had not only judged Zacchaeus, but they were also judging Jesus and His claims to be their King. The king’s subjects hated him in the parable and said, “We don’t want this man to be our king” (19:14). But, in the end, the king judges them with death. The king in the story represents Jesus. Only He has the right to judge, and He will do so justly. Jesus goes to the heart of the matter with this difficult parable. Zacchaeus’ heart was soft toward Jesus, and he was willing to submit to Him. The onlookers had hard hearts. If they continued in this way, they would be judged. What would they choose? Out of the heart come actions that bear fruit. In Zacchaeus’ case, the fruit was obedience, welcome, gladness, and repentance. The onlookers were given an opportunity to soften their hard hearts and accept Jesus as their King. What do you think they did? In the next scene, Jesus would enter Jerusalem as Israel’s King. But, He was not the King the people expected. In the end, the people would send Jesus to the cross and reject His Lordship over their lives.
God gives people the same choice today. We can either choose to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King of our life or reject Him. It seems that Zacchaeus was truly changed by his encounter with Jesus. Since we know Luke relied upon eyewitness accounts in writing his gospel, and since Zacchaeus’ story only appears in Luke’s gospel, we can plausibly say that Luke likely interviewed Zacchaeus and then included his experience with Jesus. What about you? Is Jesus the King of your life? If you’d like to talk with someone about this, we have a prayer team down front after each service wearing orange lanyards. They would be honored to pray with you.
This story began with a man and a town with a dubious background. King Jesus, God in the flesh, saw the bigger picture of redemption that was soon to come. In the face of His love and power, all the pettiness would disappear, and there would be a new mission, not one of war and victory through armies, but one that conquered the sin in every human heart that keeps us from a relationship with our Maker. Living in the purpose of this renewed relationship with God, we can also take on His mission to set the world aright and turn people's hearts back to God.
Lent is a season on the Christian calendar that helps us prepare for Easter when we will celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The word Lent means “Fortieth.” This is why the Lenten season begins 40 days before Easter. The number 40 is significant in that it parallels the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert where He was tempted by the devil. Luke tells us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (see also Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). During Lent, Christians replicate the self-sacrifice and withdrawal that Jesus endured in the desert. We then follow Jesus on His journey to the cross.
Lent is a season on the Christian calendar that helps us prepare for Easter when we will celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The word Lent means “Fortieth.” This is why the Lenten season begins 40 days before Easter. The number 40 is significant in that it parallels the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert where He was tempted by the devil. Luke tells us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (see also Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). During Lent, Christians replicate the self-sacrifice and withdrawal that Jesus endured in the desert. We then follow Jesus on His journey to the cross.
During this Lenten season, we’ll be focusing on some of the things we believe the Spirit is saying to Northland as a church. You’ll be hearing about these topics in our weekend sermons and in the accompanying Bible studies. But, we also want those who desire a more personal Lenten experience to hear from the Spirit and follow Jesus in new ways during this time. Our prayer is that you’ll attend a service each weekend during Lent and also engage with the Bible every day. If you commit to doing this, you will meet the Holy Spirit as your Guide and Sustainer and you will grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior.
» April 2-3
JOURNEY | Not My Will | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 9-10
JOURNEY | Power Misunderstood | Pastor, Discipleship Gus Davies
» April 2-3
JOURNEY | Not My Will | Lead Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 9-10
JOURNEY | Power Misunderstood | Pastor, Discipleship Gus Davies
Saturday, April 2 after the 5 p.m. service
Join us for a beautiful night celebrating our friends with special needs and disabilities! This evening includes a very special worship service in our main sanctuary building, a red carpet walk, and an outdoor dance!
Sunday, April 10 after the 11 a.m. worship service
Baptism is an outward expression of our inward faith and a declaration to the world that we've chosen to follow Jesus Christ. It signifies the washing away of the old life and helps solidify our commitment as followers of Jesus Christ. If you have never been baptized before this is your chance to take this step of obedience in Christ!
Sunday, April 17 at 9 & 11 a.m.
Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise” is the same for you and me. When we accept His invitation to believe in Him, we will be with Him now and forever. This is indeed, good news and worthy of celebration! Join us this Easter where Pastor Josh will deliver the message!
