Jesus and His twelve disciples were on their way to Jerusalem…and they passed through Jericho.
Jesus would intersect with *Zaccheus in Jericho and change his life.
(*Some translations spell it: Zacchaeus)

Zaccheus was a Jew who lived in Jericho.  He was a tax collector for the Roman Empire.  He benefited from it and he was a rich man.  He probably was not well thought of by the majority of the Jewish community because he worked for Rome.

(NASB) Luke 19:1 “AND [JESUS] entered Jericho and was passing through it.  2And there was a man called Zaccheus, a chief tax collector, and [he was] rich.”

Zaccheus had a background which we have considered briefly.  You have a background…much like Zaccheus!
You might say, ‘I am neither rich nor working for an occupational power.’  You might say ‘I am not a man.’  You could say, ‘I am not of Jewish descent.’

But what about being like Zaccheus before knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord?  Zaccheus was a wealthy man materially but I think he was poor from a spiritual perspective.
No matter how wealthy a person is in oil, stocks, possessions, position, heritage…if that person is without Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord…that person is poor and needy.

All have sinned and all have come short of God’s glory ~

All are needy ~

All need Jesus as Savior and Lord ~

 

Either you are a rich person ~

rich by knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord

OR

You are a poor person in need of Jesus.

[This week we will find out more about Zaccheus’ and Jesus’ interaction.]