Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10

1. We learn that no one is too bad to be saved, or beyond the power of Christ's grace.
2. We learn how little and insignificant are the things on which a soul's salvation often turns.
3. We learn Christ's free compassion towards sinners, and Christ's power to change hearts.
4. We learn that converted sinners will always give evidence of their conversion.

"Hospitals discharge many cases as incurable. But there are no incurable cases under the Gospel. Any sinner may be healed, if he will only come to Christ."

"We must never reckon anything little that concerns the soul. The ways by which the Holy Spirit leads men and women to Christ are wonderful and mysterious. He is often beginning in a heart a work which shall stand to eternity, when a looker-on observes nothing remarkable."

"We cannot maintain too strongly that there is in Him an infinite readiness to receive, and an infinite ability to save sinners. Above all, we cannot hold too firmly that salvation is not of works, but of grace. If ever there was a soul sought and saved, without having done anything to deserve it, that soul was the soul of Zaccheus."

"Grace that cannot be seen, like light--and tasted, like salt, is not grace, but hypocrisy. The man who professes to know Christ and trust Him, while he cleaves to sin and the world, is going down to hell with a lie in his right hand. The heart that has really tasted the grace of Christ, will instinctively hate sin."

Questions:

1. Is there anyone in our lives who we have written off as impossible? With the encouragement of Zacchaeus, will we not begin or keep on praying for such a one?

2. We are told not to despise the day of small things, especially when it comes to the soul. Nobody looked at Zaccheaus that day and suspected he would be transformed. When we see potential evidence of grace, do we look down on them in others, or do we find encouragement there?

3. We see here an example of God’s free grace in saving sinners. Why is this doctrine precious to you?

4. Ryle says the man who professes to know Christ and trust Him, while he cleaves to sin and the world, is going down to hell with a lie in his right hand. Are we living lives that turn away from sin? May it be so for our joy and God’s glory!