God, throughout His Word, has shown us many stories of desperation. Many of these encounters are illustrations of the desperation of man seeking to have peace with God. In the New Testament there are two stories of encounters with Jesus, which bring their desperation to the forefront. Those encounters are with Zacchaeus and a young ruler. The Lord Jesus’ encounter with both of these people, as recorded in three of the four gospels, highlights the two paths a person’s desperation leads them to. One will think there has to be something they can do to earn the favor or merit of God for eternal life. The other’s desperation leads them to know their sin, leaves them hopeless and in need of God – in need of a Savior. One of these rich individuals will believe they are basically good. The other rich man sees their sin and the guilt it brings. Examine then, these two desperations and see how the Lord Jesus responds to them. The rich young ruler’s encounters can be found in the following gospels: Luke 18:18-23, Mark 10:17-22, Matthew 19:16-23. However, the encounter of Zacchaeus is only found in Luke 19:1-10.
This person; this young man; this rich young ruler – who is he? Beginning in Matthew, and then, the other two gospels, we shall see:
Matthew 19:16 (NASB95): 16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”
Mark 10:17 (NASB95): 17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 18:18 (NASB95): 18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
In the first two accounts of this person, we are just informed he is a man. Nothing remarkable to mention, no particular distinctions that would set this person apart from others. There are differences in some of the language in the man’s comments, such as the distinctions of “inherit” and “obtain”; and “Teacher” and “Good Teacher”. But, for me, what I think is important to focus on, more than the others, are the words “ran” and “knelt”. Notice in Luke, how this person is described, a “ruler” and he ‘questioned” the Lord Jesus. Since Luke was a physician and historian, it would make a bit more sense for his to be more detailed. But the detail of being a “ruler” is significant! On the other hand, it is significant this ruler is only shown to be a man, because God is not partial to any and all have the same need regardless of position. The focus of these three encounters is that same need, how can he obtain/inherit eternal life. Jesus states plainly to the man, “keep the commandments”. When asked which ones (that is telling in and of itself) Jesus tells him the commandments which have reference to interactions with fellow people. The rich young ruler asserts he has kept all these from his youth, but instinctively still knows there is something else (see Matthew 19:20). He believes he knows what his true need is, hearing the Lord Jesus say he has indeed kept the law and needs to stay on the same path he is currently on – the ruler needs affirmation of his deeds. This man, this ruler, is desperate to know he is doing what is needed to have peace with God – eternal life! It is exactly at this moment the Lord Jesus exposes this man’s true heart:
22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
(Luke 18:22)
The Lord shows the ruler he really has not kept the law because he has not loved God above all else. Earlier in Luke 10:27-28, Jesus confirms the foremost commandment is to love the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY above all else. This ruler owned much property and he could not let any of it go. The rulers’ true treasure was his possessions. What the Lord said he, the ruler, must do to have life, revealed the greed and lust in the heart of this man. He believed because he had much, it was due to God’s favor and blessing being on him (common misunderstanding of the Jewish people). What the Lord showed was the very “possessions” this man had is what kept him from actually seeing his need…it made him love the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. Just a few chapters earlier in Luke, the Lord Jesus said this:
15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
(Luke 12:15)
Now, look at the rulers response to the Lord Jesus:
22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
(Mark 10:22)
Regardless of social or economic status this rich young ruler is representative of all people who are self righteous, who believe they can earn the favor of GOD by works. It was his works and the moral accountability, he believes, which would have God give him a nod to enter eternal life. This heart condition begs the question – who is keeping score of good versus bad works? Evidently, this man thinks Jesus knows. He is either approaching Jesus to get a pat on the back, “good job young man keep it up and I’ll see you in heaven” or, as I believe the text demonstrates, he really does not know if he is doing enough. He believes he is basically good and just needs to know what else he has to do. At the end of the day he just wants to say, ” ‘I’ earned it! I was not perfect, but I did enough good to my fellow man to earn God’s favor.” This is, in fact, what the world wants you to believe in every religion including being an atheist – you just have to do the best you can and at the end, God will reveal to you how you did; or as the atheist asserts, “you just die and decompose”. A loving God would never leave you without clarity in knowing how to be with Him.
[A major note here: no one (of the onlookers or disciples) are questioning the character of this ruler; he is by all accounts a good man by human standards (think of the good man in Romans 5:7.)]
Let us shift gears now and examine who this other ruler, Zacchaeus, is. What does God have to say about him? Remember, there is only one account of him in the Scriptures as opposed to the ruler found in three.
2 And there was a man called by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.
3 Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.
(Luke 19:2–3)
Well, just like the ruler, God identifies Zacchaeus as a man. Just like the ruler, in the first two gospel accounts, this ruler is only identified as a man. Unlike the ruler, we have a name, Zacchaeus. I find this unique distinction to be of the utmost importance in understanding the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then we discover his occupation, a chief tax collector. This is the only occurrence in the New Testament of this title being used. Like the ruler, Zacchaeus was rich. I have done a little research to see who might have been more wealthy, but I was unable to determine who it would be. However, Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. If the ruler was in Zacchaeus’s jurisdiction, the ruler would have paid taxes to him. Simply, both were wealthy and both appeared to have considerable influence.
Unlike the ruler, we get more insight into the heart of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but could not due to his physical size. Here is a man who, in his pomp, has heard the stories of Jesus, what He has accomplished, the healings performed and even raising the dead. The implication of his trying to see Jesus was Zacchaeus had a need and was desperate. Look at what follows in this encounter:
4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.
(Luke 19:4)
I don’t know about you, but if I was extremely rich, I don’t think I would have climbed into a tree and humiliated myself. I think I would have rather sent someone to Jesus asking to have an audience with Him. Zacchaeus was sure to have heard Jesus had dined with sinners and cleansed the sick. Surely if Jesus had gone to others, would He not do so for him? But, that is not what Zacchaeus does. A large crowd is present and this man of great wealth climbs into a tree and lays on a branch over the path where Jesus is about to pass. Zacchaeus would have been mocked, laughed at and scorned because he had taken advantage of his own people extorting them. Zacchaeus would have been responsible for the poverty and shame many endured due to his affiliation with Rome, the oppressors of the Jewish people. Nevertheless, here is Zacchaeus making haste, perhaps ruining his nice clothes, to climb this tree just to look on Jesus. “Maybe, just maybe, Jesus will look at me and He will see my desperation?!”, could this have been the thought running in Zacchaeus’s mind as he regarded the shame he endured as little consequence? Now, something truly amazing, that does not happen anywhere else in the gospels occurs:
5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.
(Luke 19:5–6)
The Lord Jesus stops, looks Zacchaeus directly in the eye, calls him by name (not done anywhere else in the gospels) and then invites (framed as a command) Himself into his house (also not found anywhere else in the gospels). The result, exposes the heart of Zacchaeus – Jesus did see him, but also knew his name! Jesus knew him – an outcast of his society – Jesus knew him! Look now at this very wealthy man who hurries down and receives Jesus! Can you see his excitement? Can you feel the joy of knowing the deepest desperation, the deepest need you have – peace with God is achieved! If not, remember when you were saved! Remember when the Lord Jesus called you by name and told you He must come and dwell with you! This is the very joy Zacchaeus is experiencing! Zacchaeus is a new creation! How do we know this?
7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
8 Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.
10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(Luke 19:7–10)
Zacchaeus did not care about his possessions. He knew he had defrauded. He knew he was a sinner and had acted wickedly. But, in Jesus, he had found his Pearl of Great Price. In the very presence of those whom he had defrauded he gave away half to the poor and would restore that which he had taken – four times as much. No one asked him, he was a new creation and had been accepted by the King of Glory! Zacchaeus had gained more than all the wealth of creation – he had his Creator, his Savior, his King, his Lord – his God! Jesus came and found His lost sheep named Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus would follow his Good Shepherd forever and ever. The good news of the Lord Jesus was truly the best news Zacchaeus had ever heard. It is the the good news we all need to hear and cherish as greater than anything else!
Two stories of desperation. Two encounters with God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Both stories involve men, created by God and no different from one another; both created in God’s image. Both stories involve men of economic wealth. Both were desperate to be accepted by God. However, one was attempting to justify himself by his works and morality. The other knew he was doomed and whose only hope was God. Both encountered God, but only one wanted and needed God. This one went to his house justified – Zacchaeus who desperately needed to be saved and knew life was in Jesus alone. Zacchaeus willingly humbled himself and received the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Jesus. My friend if you are desperate, come and drink of the waters of salvation without cost! Come, you who are weary and heavy laden, and Jesus will give you rest! Two stories of desperation, which is yours? I leave you with the section of Scripture just before these two encounters happen in Luke. Let him who has ears to hear – hear.
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Luke 18:9–14)
Shane Sands is the founder and president of United In Christ Jesus, a gospel evangelism missions ministry which began in 2010. Shane is husband to Holly, his godly wife (he defiantly married up) of ten years. They both live in South Carolina at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with their ever idiotic cat, Mister Bojangles. Shane has been blessed to travel to numerous countries and states, along with his wife, to preach the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.