Sermon by: Nathan Buhl – Ventura Baptist Church
Date: March 15, 2026
Today I want to talk to the ones who feel too far from grace.
The story of Zacchaeus teaches us perfectly that nobody is lost beyond redemption. Sacrificial love finds the one who is the outcast. The friend of sinners looks far and wide for those who need him most. Jesus came to love the unlovable. Like on the path you might have choices, this story lives to vividly show how putting aside our pride opens the door to grace.
Cords of absolute pleasure bind our active lives, but the toppling of our pride requires freedom unencumbered by self-reliance. Are you like Zacchaeus? People depend safely on the things we are given or the talents we have. Before coming upon a savior, Zacchaeus was all about himself. Never limited to questions about love or religion, he pursued his ability to make money. People love peace that comes from wealth. Zacchaeus was that guy! He made the amazing choice to work for the Romans. We don’t just see a traitor, but also an applied thief. Lies, pride, greed all were reliable allowances for his position. Named for the word “righteous” Zacchaeus appointed the performance of unrighteous deeds as his calling card.
Have you wondered if your hesitation to follow Jesus was experienced by those in the bible? This story is for you. The deafening holy drone of heaven’s call was pleased to seek and call a lost sinner. I hope that unwrapping radical gifts in this story will help you experience true glory and grace. To really find the point of the story, dig back to the context. Jesus sets the stage by walking to a place that seems out of the way. He enters the city of Jericho which is the center of sinners. The amazing city was strategic in that trade routes flowed through. This meant there was a lot of money and a lot of taxes to be collected. Roman officials took advantage of this.
There were those who were constantly extorting and exploiting the marginalized. Jesus came for both the oppressed and the oppressor. Let me say that again. Jesus came for both the oppressed and the oppressor.
“Jesus came for both the Oppressed and the Oppressor.”
The title of the sermon is a plain explanation about biblical seeing. I called the message, “Biblical seeing despite blind hearts, blind minds and blind pride.” The way to overcome blindness is climbing up out of our pride. Pride makes calling out for help basically impossible. The redemptive pursuit of Jesus opens our eyes to mercy that loves the outcast, leads the lost home and lights the way for the blind.
This tale of Zacchaeus lives to teach us something about the Savior who loves the outcast. Jesus saw Zacchaeus, his perfect love guided him. The Lord Jesus sees us before we ever see him. The Lord knows each of us truly. The bike that freely flies on the road detours when it hits gravel, so Jesus goes out of his way to find the path of sinners.
The redemptive pursuit of Jesus opens our eyes to mercy that loves the outcast, leads the lost home and lights the way for the blind.
Let’s look at the text:
“He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and he was rich.”
There is something wonderful about the radical love of Jesus, finding thoughtful ways to pursue the people who were sinners pleasing only pride, but were ready to find out that love is coming near. Here the stories of religious writings get personal. He loves the outcast like me. Loving the outcast is the way God works. He closes open doors while looking out the window with bold redirection. Just like the prodigal son’s father who watched in wishful hope, our Father doesn’t give up on us.
Continuing in the story:
“He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able to because of the crowd since he was a short man. So running ahead he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way.”
Zacchaeus really wants to see the teacher who talked to tax collectors and sinners. In Luke 15:1-2 it says,
“All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”
Teachers usually choose students who are worthy. This man with no reservations, surrounded himself with questionable characters. Meaningfully sinful souls need saving. Despite the pharisaical wailings, the healing is for the sick.
A feature of salvation is the keen way deliverance happens. One favorite passage is having water turned to wine. The water is similar to our spiritual state; Lord Jesus transforms us into a new nature. Centuries later Jesus still turns sinners to saints with his word of powerful invitation. Meaningfully Jesus makes the invitation to Zacchaeus that freely he was ready to dine with him.
Look at verse 5:
“When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
Read how Jesus walks up to the sleek climber and says, “come down”. He is waiting for perfect timing, resolving to see who was too small to get to see him. Zacchaeus was your typical autistic who excitedly doesn’t realize that he looks way too silly sitting up in a tree. But guess what? Jesus is looking for him! Love seeks out the outcast. Jesus loves the outcast.
Keep reading:
”So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully.”
“Jesus Loves the Outcast!”
The psalms that perfectly thank God for joy are now moans only a sinner forgiven can sing! There is a beam of radiant zeal shining from the healed extortionist’s face. The outcast, as James talks about, has worked out his faith by his deeds. The outcast is pleased to boisterously welcome what amazing teaching Jesus promoted. The exploiter becomes the perfect extravagant follower of dear Savior.
Verse 7:
“All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”
The next point is Jesus leads the lost home. Feeling lost is attributed to a sense of not having a place to belong. Jesus brings sinners to himself gladly because he desires to make his home with them. Home is where we are known and safe with others and ourselves. The place where we are satisfied, the place where we belong. The high priest brings the people into God’s house.
The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that even if you have money or position, you are not home but on the outside. The fantastic thing is that the very willing Jesus seeks out the ones on the outside. My hope is that you see that Jesus wants to bring you home. My disability makes me feel like I am on the outside because normal thought processing died when autism took hold of me. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one encouraging me in spite of my disability. He helps me in ways only lost souls can understand.
Pithy phrases might be soothing, but are problematic. The saying that “home is where the heart is” ill-prepares your gladiator warring soul for battle against your enemies. That only the lost people want the comfort of home is short-sighted. The real question is, are you ready to be found?
“Jesus leads the Lost Home!”
“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “Because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.” Jesus leads the lost home.
Back to the place Jesus was in this story, there was another excited wonderful wanderer in darkness. His sad life was perfectly wholly dreadful. Jesus met him on the way to Jericho. He loudly bellowed losing all dignity, same as lovely Zacchaeus. Good Salvation, surrounded by a throng, like a politician weaving through a rally, Jesus cuts through choosing to hear pleas of mighty desperation. Walking by, he planned to bring light to this outcast!
“Jesus brings Light to the Blind!”
Let’s read Luke 18:35-43.
“As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.” “Receive your sight.” Jesus told him. “Your faith has saved you.” Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”
The blind man and Zacchaeus both needed to be saved from their current situation.
The man on the road could not physically see. Making paths only through the language of longing, he climbs using his voice. Easily, outcasts greatly have this in common, they need their sight restored. One man knew he was blind.
Zacchaeus also needed his eyes opened by Jesus because he was blinded by his wealth and position. Jesus breaks perfectly into our darkness like light dispelling the night of our souls. The moment that Peace loves you, your vision is transformed, realizing that the teacher wears a crown. Jesus lights the way of the blind.
Teaching solely on Zacchaeus fails to single out the real issue. The person who really needs to be found is you. Having heard about just one lost man would be wonderful. But can you imagine that Jesus, before the foundation of the world, determined to come for us all?
Don’t think that this message is only for exciting drama, it is an invitation to follow the one who seeks and saves the lost.
“Jesus came to seek and save the Lost, Follow Him!”
The story of this glorious transformation delights the weary souls who are tired of not seeing or being seen. My story is the tale of one who was both. When in the darkness, whether on purpose or not, I was left unable to meaningfully want to see. Then, the savior loved an outcast like me!
The lost prodigal found a home!
The blind found light in the darkness!