If you own a New Testament you have four ancient accounts of the life of Jesus. This series explores how these four distinct accounts work in harmony to tell one story. In this message we look at the first volume of Luke’s account, and especially at Luke’s prominent them of bringing “outsiders” into the life and mission of Jesus. We look specifically at the interaction between Jesus and a prominent outsider: Zacchaeus. Luke ends this story with Jesus own words, which is the key phrase of the entire book: “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and

climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed

him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “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 the lost.”

Luke 12:6-7

“God never overlooks a single sparrow and He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail, even numbering the hairs on your head.”

- Jesus