Rich or Poor (Luke 19:1-10)

Rich or Poor

• Luke 19:1
• Luke 19:2
• Luke 19:3
• Luke 19:4
• Luke 19:5
• Luke 19:6
• Luke 19:7
• Luke 19:8
• Luke 19:9
• Luke 19:10

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In the previous chapter we see the story of the rich ruler who obeyed the law yet would not obey Jesus when it came to selling everything he owned, we then heard the story of the blind beggar, who desperately cried out to Jesus and was healed, and now we have the story of a rich tax collector, Zacchaeus.

With the rich ruler Jesus described the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of God and the disciples asking who then can really get saved? Jesus responded what is impossible with man is possible with God. God has no limits! He can reach anyone!

The problem with the rich ruler was He was not seeking Jesus, He was seeking to be justified by His good works. Many today believe they are going to heaven because they are a good person. One seeks God because they realize they need Him! As long as one is teachable they are reachable, this is what we see with Zacchaeus. He didn't let his bad image and short-comings get in the way! The bible says "those who seek Him will find Him" and "if you draw near to God He draws near to You." There are no requirements to meet Jesus but seeking Him, no matter one's past, no matter one's background, those whom seek Him, find Him.

In my small community, growing up, the Christians were looked down as low class, hypocritical, phonies. When I got saved it was one thing to say I was a Christian but to be identified with the local church was a completely unacceptable social norm. I was ostracized by most of my "so called" friends and had to build brand new relationships with the outcasts of the community. Jesus does not care about our image all He wants is that His image be seen in us.

It takes brokenness and humility to seek God, such as Zacchaeus, and it is these that Jesus will have fellowship with and therefore transform. Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus, repented of his ways by getting right with God and with man, returning to each one the lawful requirement four times what he stole.

We don't look for something unless we know it is lost, until we realize we are lost without God, knowing Him personally will never be found.