Luke 19:1-10

1. During the summer, many churches—each in their own way—become busy preparing for short-term mission trips. Among all the different summer activities, this focus on missions reflects the clear calling that Jesus Christ has given to His Church. Most of us already understand this well. At the same time, it’s also true that as we prepare, we sometimes run into disagreements—differences in direction, ideas, or methods. But no matter what form it takes, we must not give up on missions. Jesus has called us, the community of believers, His Church. He is the head of the Church, and it is our responsibility to proclaim and demonstrate His love to others. For the past 10 years, I’ve been grateful to serve in this region and nearby communities, especially through ministry among Indigenous peoples. I continue this work today, engaging with groups such as the Cote, Key, and Keeseekoose First Nations. This year, we’ve begun a new church plant in the Muskowekwan First Nation, in partnership with other churches—including Good News Chapel in Regina and Valley Alliance Church—through the New Venture Program of the Christian Missionary & Alliance (CMD). We began this work because mission is not just one program or event the church does; it is the very calling of God for both the Church and all believers. Today, I’d like us to take a fresh look at the story of Zacchaeus—a story many of us know well—as we reflect on what true mission looks like and how we can live with a missionary mindset. Let’s begin by reading the passage.

Luke 19:1–5 NASB 2020

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

Luke 19:6–10 NASB 2020

And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully. When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!” But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

2. Today’s message focuses on the story of Zacchaeus. As Jesus passed through Jericho, Zacchaeus—the chief tax collector—climbed a tree to see Him. Jesus noticed him and said He would stay at his house. Zacchaeus welcomed Him with joy. While others muttered about Jesus going to the home of a sinner, Zacchaeus responded with a heart of repentance. He promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times over. Jesus then declared, “Today salvation has come to this house,” and reminded everyone that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

3. Let’s begin by taking a closer look at Zacchaeus, the main character in today’s passage. In Jesus’ time, Zacchaeus was described as a chief tax collector—a wealthy man in Jewish society. Tax collectors typically collected the required amount for Rome, then kept the extra for themselves. Because of this, many became rich, and Zacchaeus was no exception.

Despite his wealth and power, Zacchaeus was deeply lonely and rejected by his community. He was seen as a traitor, working for the Roman Empire and using his position for personal gain. Though he appeared to be successful on the outside, inwardly he lived with emptiness and isolation.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

Many people we are called to share the gospel with today are just like Zacchaeus. On the surface, they may look successful by the world’s standards, but inside they carry a deep sense of emptiness and loneliness. Zacchaeus’ story shows us how the gospel of Jesus brings real hope and restoration to people like him—and still does today.

4. 1) Jesus came first – “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through” (Luke 19:1)

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through” (Luke 19:1)

The story of Zacchaeus is not just a simple account of personal conversion. It’s not a story about Zacchaeus deciding on his own to change his life and seek out Jesus. Rather, it begins with these words: “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.” This shows that Jesus didn’t pass by by chance—it was part of God’s plan. Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus wasn’t a coincidence, but a divine appointment. Jesus came to that place intentionally, to meet Zacchaeus.

5. God is always the one who takes the initiative in the gospel. The same is true in missions. Before we ever share the gospel with someone, Jesus is already at work—He is already passing through that place. Before we knock on someone’s door, God’s grace is already knocking on the door of their heart. This means that mission is not about our effort or strategy first; it is our response to God’s grace that goes before us. One common mistake in short-term missions is thinking that the more we prepare, the more we do, the more God will work. But if mission is driven by our own effort, then it’s no longer God’s mission—it becomes about our righteousness, our plans, and our results. That’s when churches begin to focus on doing things bigger, better, and more impressively. But we must always remember this: God moves first. We simply follow His call. This truth brings us great comfort and confidence. It’s not about our strength or perfection—we join in what God is already doing. That’s why, even in our weakness, we can boldly step forward.

1 Corinthians 1:26–27 NIV

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

6. First Corinthians reminds us of something we can easily forget: God doesn’t work through human greatness, impressive actions, or the best we have to offer. Instead, He often chooses to work through what is small, weak, and unimpressive in the eyes of the world. This shows us that God’s work is done in God’s way—not ours. Now, let’s look at how Zacchaeus responded.

Luke 19:3–4 ESV

And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

7. When Jesus was passing through, Zacchaeus already knew about Him and had a deep desire to see Him. Even though he was wealthy, it’s clear that his spiritual thirst had not been satisfied. But there were real obstacles in the way of fulfilling that desire. Zacchaeus was short, and the large crowd blocked his view. Still, he didn’t give up. He made the bold choice to climb a sycamore tree. In Jewish society, it was considered shameful for an adult man to climb a tree—it meant losing dignity. But Zacchaeus chose his desire to see Jesus over protecting his pride. This reminds us that people who need the gospel are not just passive or uninterested. Deep in their hearts, there is often a longing for God’s grace. The Holy Spirit is already at work in them—stirring their hearts, shining light into their lives, and awakening a desire to encounter Jesus. Our role is to find people like Zacchaeus. Our mission is to remove obstacles and help create spaces—like that tree—where they can catch a glimpse of Jesus. That’s what real mission work looks like.

8. When I visited Iran in 2005, many people quietly approached me, asking to hear about the gospel. I shared the message of Jesus using the Four Spiritual Laws and prayed with them. I also sang a Korean blessing song for them. They wanted to hear more, but since I wasn’t a missionary, I couldn’t continue further.

But what I remember clearly is this: before I did anything, the Holy Spirit had already begun working in their hearts. I simply met them through the Spirit’s leading. That experience showed me that mission starts with God’s initiative, not ours.

In contrast, reaching out to Indigenous communities here can feel much harder. Unlike the people I met in Iran who came to me with open hearts, it’s often difficult to find someone who responds in the same way. At times, I feel a bit discouraged—but I remind myself that maybe I just haven’t yet met the one heart that is crying out for Jesus, like Zacchaeus. Maybe my spiritual eyes haven’t fully opened to see them yet. And because of that, I cannot give up. I’m truly thankful that Calgary Korean Outreach team has been visiting this region for the past seven years, and through that partnership, I’ve begun to see such hearts emerge. This is why we must not grow weary—because the Holy Spirit is at work. Our mission is to be ready, to not overlook even one Zacchaeus. And when we recognize them, the Spirit will show us exactly what to do next.

9. Now, let’s look at what kind of transformation took place in Zacchaeus through his encounter with Jesus. 

Luke 19:5–9 NASB 2020

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully. When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!” But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

Jesus did not pass by Zacchaeus, who was up in the tree. Instead, He called him by name and approached him, saying, “I must stay at your house today.” This was more than just a visit—it was a personal invitation. It was the gospel itself. Jesus didn’t focus on Zacchaeus’s outward appearance or his past sins. He saw Zacchaeus as a person and reached out to him. In that encounter, Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus with joy and responded with sincere repentance and a commitment to change. This is what happens when the true gospel touches a person’s heart—it naturally produces the fruit of transformation.

10. When Jesus approached Zacchaeus, He didn’t say, “Change your life first. Deal with your sins, then come to Me.” Before asking who Zacchaeus was or what sins he had committed, Jesus simply said He would stay at his house and be with him. Mission is not about going to places that are already clean or free of sin. True mission means going—led by the Holy Spirit—into places where people don’t yet know Jesus, or where they may have heard of Him but misunderstood who He is. And it means being present with them. What makes the Korean outreach team’s ministry so powerful—now in its eighth summer—is that they spend a full week within Indigenous communities: eating, talking, and living life together with the people. They don’t come just to hold events. They bring food prepared in advance, share meals, laugh, pray, and build genuine relationships. This kind of presence has more impact than any program ever could. Because mission is about sharing our lives—showing others, through the way we live, what it means to be in Christ. That is the heart of true mission: not just words or activities, but embodying the gospel in real, everyday life.

11. The gospel is not just a message we speak or a set of doctrines we teach. It is the power of God that transforms an entire life. Jesus didn’t only speak words—He stepped into Zacchaeus’s life and spent time with him. In the same way, mission is more than delivering a message. It means entering someone’s life, sharing meals, having real conversations, and walking with them through both joy and sorrow. The gospel becomes truly alive in these kinds of life-on-life encounters. It moves, breathes, and brings real change through genuine relationships and shared moments.

John 13:33–34 NLT

Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

12. Conclusion

Luke 19:10 NASB 2020

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

As we close, we hear Jesus clearly declare His mission: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This is the heart of the gospel and the essence of mission. Jesus didn’t come simply to teach—He came to seek the lost, to enter into their lives, and to save them. Just as He passed through Jericho to find Zacchaeus, Jesus is still reaching out to the lost today. Our mission is to join Him on that journey. Sharing the gospel means participating in Jesus’ work, revealing His heart to the world around us. The steps Jesus took toward Zacchaeus continue today through you and me. Mission is both our calling and our response to God’s grace. It’s a life-long journey of walking with Christ, reaching out to others, and making His love known—one person at a time.

13. The summer short-term mission is just around the corner and we are planning to join the outreach with Calgary Korean Outreach team in this summer. They need some kitchen helpers and VBS staffs, and so on. And as we prepare, we’re faced with an important question:

“Whose house does Jesus want to stay at today?”

Jesus is still seeking the lost. He still desires to step into someone’s life. Just as He once passed through Jericho, He is now passing through our city.

So how are we responding to His call?
Are we like Zacchaeus—responding with a deep longing for the gospel?
Or are we the ones pointing the way, helping others welcome Jesus into their lives?

13. Yorkton our city, this community, is part of Jesus’ ongoing mission journey. With that in mind, I invite you to join in—through participation, through prayer. Let’s ask God to lead us, so that our mission would not be driven by our own plans or efforts, but by His guidance. Let’s pray that we wouldn’t miss the Zacchaeus who is desperately searching for Jesus right now. The Lord desires to meet another Zacchaeus—through you, through me. Even now, His footsteps are passing by.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/b8356759-e547-49e2-ae26-502d35c28015/audio

Quiz

• What is the central theme of the passage from Luke 19:1-10 discussed in the source?

• According to the source, what is one common mistake churches make in short-term missions?

• How did Zacchaeus respond when Jesus called him down from the tree?

• What does the source suggest about the internal state of people who, like Zacchaeus, appear successful on the outside?

• According to the source, what is the primary initiative in the process of mission?

• The source mentions a specific obstacle Zacchaeus faced in seeing Jesus due to the crowd. What was it?

• What specific actions did Zacchaeus commit to taking as a sign of his repentance and transformation?

• Beyond simply delivering a message, what does the source say true mission involves, according to the example of Jesus with Zacchaeus?

• What new commandment does the source refer to from John 13:33-34 in the context of mission?

• What is the ultimate purpose of Jesus' coming, as stated in Luke 19:10 and emphasized in the source?

Quiz Answer Key

• The central theme is the story of Zacchaeus's encounter with Jesus as an example of true mission and how Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

• One common mistake is thinking that mission is driven by human effort and strategy, leading to a focus on doing things bigger or better, rather than responding to God's grace.

• Zacchaeus hurried down from the tree, received Jesus joyfully, and responded with sincere repentance and a commitment to change his financial practices.

• The source suggests that despite outward success, people like Zacchaeus often carry a deep sense of emptiness and isolation within.

• The primary initiative in mission belongs to God; Jesus is already at work in a place and in people's hearts before believers arrive or share the gospel.

• Zacchaeus was short in stature, and the large crowd prevented him from seeing Jesus.

• Zacchaeus committed to giving half of his possessions to the poor and repaying anyone he had extorted four times as much.

• Beyond delivering a message, true mission involves entering someone's life, sharing meals, having real conversations, and walking with them, embodying the gospel in everyday life.

• The new commandment is to love each other, just as Jesus has loved His followers.

• The ultimate purpose of Jesus' coming is to seek and to save that which was lost.

convert_to_textConvert to source