SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
YOUTH STS LESSON 127:
TOPIC: THE CONVERSION OF ZACCHAEUS
MEMORY VERSE: And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). TEXT: Luke 19:1-10
After the miracle of restoring sight to a blind man (Luke 18:35-43), the Lord Jesus continued His journey to Jericho, a major city and a conducive business trade route. The thriving business opportunities attracted tax-collectors to the city to ensure utmost collection of revenue to the Roman government. Zacchaeus was also in the city of Jericho as the Chief Tax Collector. Jesus, because of His passion for souls, always resorted to places where He could find sinners. So, He “went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).
Question 1: Using the example of Jesus, mention places where youths can be reached with the gospel?
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). We have opportunities to reach sinning youths in schools, markets, neighbourhoods, churches, motor parks, hospitals, football fields and on social media platforms where we can share the word of salvation with them.
THE ZEAL OF AN EARNEST SEEKER (Luke 19:1-4; John 3:1,2; 12:20,21; Ruth 1:15-18; Hebrews 3:15)
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho” (verse 1). Zacchaeus, the chief of the publicans did not allow any barrier to hinder him from seeing Jesus. Therefore, being short of stature “…he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way” (verse 19:4). Publicans were regarded as sinners because they used the advantage of their duties of tax collection to enrich themselves illegitimately. Zacchaeus, though chief among the publicans, was also involved in extortion. However, the condemnation by the society and his physical stature did not hinder him from seeking the Messiah. Other examples of those who earnestly sought God include Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1:16). She did not allow her youthful age, young widowhood or the decision of her sister-in-law to deter her from following her mother-in-law, Naomi, to worship the almighty God. Nicodemus (John 3:1-10), a teacher of the Jewish law, did not allow position or personal ego to hinder him. He came to Jesus by night to find out the truth about Him (Jesus). The evidence that he was a disciple of Christ is when he condemned the action of the Pharisees and how he “…brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight” for Christ’s burial (John 7:50-52; 19:39). This is a serious challenge to sinning youths who still give excuses for not seeking and accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Question 2: What are those barriers that can hinder sinning youths from coming to Jesus for salvation?
“These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue” (John 9:22). Youths who still linger in sin give unnecessary excuses such as: (i) parental barrier or religious background; (ii) position of parents in the church; (iii) peer group pressure; (iv) communal influence; (v) fear of persecution; (vi) societal mockery; (vii) social associations; and (viii) personal ego. Notwithstanding, youths must be determined to overcome such hindrances in order to see Jesus. This is the best thing that can happen to any youth. “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (Hebrews 3:15).
ZACCHAEUS: A JOYFUL REPENTANCE(Luke 19:5-7;Isaiah 55:1,2;Matthew 11:28; Acts 9:6)
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house” (verse 5). The best decision any youth can make is when he seeks and finds Jesus. He is emancipated from the bondage of sin and is set free. Zacchaeus experienced this, for Zacchaeus did not allow that opportunity of salvation to elude him. So, “…he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully” (verse 6). He received Christ faithfully and joyfully. This confirmed that Zacchaeus had already hungered and thirsted for the Master. The call to every sinner and backslider is urgent as Jesus said to Zacchaeus “make haste, and come down”. Jesus still calls every sinful youth today. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). No sinful youth is expected to reject the call to salvation by the Lord Jesus because of flimsy excuses.
Question 3: What are the steps to repentance as demonstrated by Zacchaeus?
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus’ call is noteworthy because he: (1) sought Jesus sincerely (Luke 19:3), (2) accepted His call (Luke 19:6), (3) confessed and decided to forsake his sins and (4) made restitution of wrongful gain (Luke 19:8). Every genuine seeker should follow the steps above to experience joy and blessings as it was pronounced upon Zacchaeus. Any youth who decides to follow Christ should not listen to the criticism of the on-lookers. Such youth should be resolute and determined to follow the Lord despite oppositions (verse 7).
ZACCHAEUS: A MODEL OF BELIEVERS’ RESTITUTION (Luke 19:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 8:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (verse 8). Zacchaeus received salvation; therefore, he could not condone anything that would tarnish it. Hence, his declaration by way of restitution for wrongful possessions. Genuine repentance should be followed by making amends for wrongs done so that the person can “…have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
Question 4: What is restitution and what are some cases that demand restitution?
“Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering” (Leviticus 6:4,5). Restitution is making amends for the wrongs done in order to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men. This could be by way of restoring stolen items to the rightful owners, apologising for Islandering an individual or returning of ill-gotten certificates. Some restitutions require counselling from experienced Christian leaders. Also, it should be noted that by restituting, the one making the restitution is not showing the beneficiary favour but preparing himself or herself for eternal life. The Lord Jesus, seeing the genuineness of Zacchaeus’ repentance, assured him of the blessing of salvation. “…This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham” (verse 9). Christ also revealed His mission on earth, “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The major question to every youth is: Have you found the Saviour or have you been found by the Saviour? Joy, happiness and peace are found in Jesus our Lord and Saviour. If you are yet to find the Saviour, seek Him by yielding to Christ’s call today by genuinely repenting of your
Sins (2 Corinthians 6:2).
