Gtcotr/ss040509
We are in the most important season of the year for the Church and each Believer. Each spring in the US we see the dogwood trees blooming, new life breaking through the soil and birds welcoming the bright sunshine each morning with great expectancy for the day. These things remind us of Easter and the eternal hope that was birthed one morning almost 2000 years ago when Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.
It was the sacrificial death of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, on the cross of Calvary that paid the debt of sin for every person who would thereafter believe on Him and confess Him as Lord. However, it was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead three days later that sealed His claim that He was not only the Son of God but also the promised Messiah of the Jews and only Savior of the whole world. The empty garden tomb just outside the old city walls of Jerusalem, adjacent to the Damascus Gate, near the place of the skull called Golgotha, also known as Mount Calvary, still speaks of His triumph today.
Just 10 days prior to His crucifixion, Jesus entered the city of Jericho on His last trip from the Galilee to Jerusalem. He was headed for The Last Passover, to be the sacrificial Lamb Who would take away the sins of the world. As He journeyed with His disciples His mind was on the cross but His heart was still with those poor and needy He would leave behind. Who would care for them? Who would take His place?
With that heart Jesus was looking for laborers, men of means, who could meet the continuing needs of the poor and less fortunate. It was in that frame of mind Jesus found and called Zacchaeus.
Turn with me in your Bible to the book of Luke, chapter 19.
(Production Note: Luke 19:1 will be the cue for Scene 4 to begin. Refer to production notes below)
Luke 19
1 ¶ Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.
7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Jesus was looking for laborers that day and found one sitting in a tree.
Perhaps no one but Jesus expected the rippling effects this one person could make if they answered yes to the call of God.
Let’s see how Zacchaeus’ life change changed the lives of others that day.
(Dismiss the children and inform them of a special Easter gift to be given to all children in attendance, ages 4 years old through 5th grade next Sunday.)
In the previous lesson we studied the young rich ruler and learned the reason why Jesus was looking for laborers, not just any laborers, but people of means. The young rich ruler refused Jesus’ command.
Walking farther down the road Jesus came to Jericho and found another man of means …
Luke 19:2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
Zacchaeus was a bad man; a liar; a cheat; a notorious sinner … that is until he changed. Zacchaeus had a true conversion experience that day evidenced by the rippling effects of his encounter with Jesus. Something happened … something dynamic … something real … something that completely changed who Zacchaeus had always been and always been known to be. Zacchaeus was born again!
Maybe you think you’re born again … how did things change for you?
Perhaps you want to be different but lack the power or know how.
Could it be that you have never had a true conversion experience?
We don’t do good works to get saved; we do good works as a result of having been saved. It’s the law of rippling affect.
Both the Young Rich Ruler and Zacchaeus were given the same opportunity. They both had encounters with Jesus on destiny’s road.
The Young Rich Ruler said no to change and went away sad because:
* He trusted in his riches
* He was selfish and did not care about others
* He was shortsighted and only considered his earthly comforts
* He was full of religious experiences, yet empty inside
* He was last seen all alone, sad, depressed and without hope
* But after all, he was not a bad man like Zacchaeus - however
Zacchaeus said yes to Jesus and changed … he was last seen:
* Happy & Rejoicing
* Making new friends, helping others and meeting needs
* He found true peace & the lasting joy he had never known
Which one of these two do you want to be like? Zacchaeus of course … that’s a no brainer. Well, let’s see what it would take for us to be like Zacchaeus.
Without regard as to who you are, what you do for a living or how good or bad you have been … if you are going to be like Zacchaeus you are going to have to:
Luke 10:3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
1. Seek Jesus despite your shortcomings
Luke 10:4 So he ran ahead and climbed …
2. Don’t let others keep you away from Jesus
Luke 10:6 So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully.
3. Be quick to obey His Word
4. Invite Jesus into your home
Luke 10:7 … they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be the guest with a man who is a sinner.”
5. Don’t get offended and quit
Luke 10:8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
6. Stand up for Jesus
7. Talk to Jesus
8. Make things right with others
9. Live a changed life
If the things which bless you don’t also bless others, you’re not living right. It’s the law of rippling affect, no ripple – you weren’t affected.
The effect is how Jesus knew and that’s how we know that:
* “Salvation has come to this house.”
Production Notes:
Dramatic Presentation Title: “Zacchaeus”
Pastor Ron comes to the platform and begins his message, setting the stage by continuing the story of Jesus’ journey to the Last Passover.
Characters ready themselves awaiting their cue.
Cue: Reading of Scripture Text
Scene 4
Pastor Ron begins reading Luke 19:1-10.
*Jesus and His disciples (stage right door near musician’s platform)
*Families (stage right door to stairwell to Youth Department)
*Zacchaeus (stage left door to stairwell leading to Children’s Department)
Jesus, His disciples, and the families enter and move across the front of the church stopping just left of center stage, talking and conversing with the crowd surrounding Jesus. Zacchaeus enters while the crowd is still moving to their mark, attempts to see Jesus and, looking frustrated, climbs up the ladder to appear sitting in the tree.
Pastor Ron continues telling the story and when the stage is set, Pastor Ron says,
“Jesus was looking for laborers that day and found one sitting in a tree.”
*House lights dim
*Spotlight comes up on Jesus and Zacchaeus
While Pastor Ron continues telling the story, Jesus steps out of the crowd and points at Zacchaeus, who comes down. Jesus puts His arm around Zacchaeus. They walk back through the crowd to center stage.
Zacchaeus portrays an evident life change. The disciples come and congratulate Zacchaeus while Pastor Ron continues to tell the story. Jesus and the disciples move to enhance congregation’s view. Zacchaeus moves back to the crowd and goes to the second or third step and begins giving money to the families around him while Jesus and the disciples watch with joy and satisfaction.
Cue: Whenever Pastor Ron says, “Let’s see how Zacchaeus’ life change changed the lives of others that day.”
*Woman turns to congregation
*Spotlight illuminates woman
*She begins
Scene 5
Woman: Just this morning I was praying and asking God to meet my needs. I had no food in my house, no money to pay my bills, and I didn’t know where my help would come from, but look, Zacchaeus, this notorious sinner, had a heart change. God changed his life to meet my need. I am told it began when Jesus called his name.
Cue: Woman concludes.
*Spotlight illuminates man
*Man begins
Scene 6
Man (turns to congregation): This man Zacchaeus had been robbing from us for years. Last year he took our home. Just yesterday he said I was going to jail if I could not pay all he wanted. He has been so unfair to all of us … until now … look what happened (shows money). I didn’t know he had been keeping records, but he paid me back. What would make such a man give back all he had taken unjustly and add four times as much? What made him do this? What made him change?
Cue: Man concludes.
*All lights fade
*All characters exit except Zacchaeus
*Spotlight illuminates Zacchaeus standing on the step who gives his testimony
Scene 7
Zacchaeus: It is true what they have said. I heard the Master call my name. I have never felt anything like that before. Jesus went to Jerusalem. He became that last Passover Lamb, but He’s alive! You know how I know this? He is alive in me.
Cue: “He is alive in me.”
*Spotlight fades
*Zacchaeus exits
*House lights come up
Pastor Ron releases the children and continues his message, “Looking for Laborers.”
