This week, City Central Elder Darrin Miller shared a powerful message on how Jesus reveals that God desires mercy over judgment—calling not those who think they are righteous, but sinners who recognize their need for Him. Through the story of Zacchaeus, we see that no one is too far gone—Jesus sees us, calls us by name, and invites us into repentance and restoration. This message challenges us to stop focusing on others’ sin, recognize our own need for grace, and respond to Jesus with humility, surrender, and love.
Matthew 9:10-13 NIV
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mercy means showing compassion, forgiveness, or kindness to someone who could be punished or treated harshly.
Simple definition
- Mercy = not giving someone the punishment they deserve
- It often involves empathy, patience, and grace
His response to the religious leaders was simple: “Go and learn what this means.”
Their religiosity had blinded them—they couldn’t see the true kingdom or the Savior. His is a kingdom of the heart.
So, the question for us is: have we become so focused on others’ sin that we stop living in mercy—compassion, forgiveness, kindness, patience, and grace? Mercy is an extension of God’s love.
Scripture says those who are forgiven much, love much—and we will be known by our love.
I am a sinner in need of Jesus daily. While some think they have it all together, I know I need saving.
God is a God of mercy. Jesus didn’t come for those who think they’re well, but for those who know they’re sick—and we see this clearly in this next passage.
Luke 19:1-10 NLT
“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’”
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector under the Roman Empire.
- Tax collectors worked for Rome, which occupied Israel
- Many Jews saw them as traitors to their own people
- They often collected money from fellow Jews on behalf of a foreign power
This alone made them socially and morally despised.
He likely took advantage of people
Tax collectors were known for overcharging and keeping extra money.
- Rome allowed them to collect more than required
- The extra profit went into their own pockets
Zacchaeus even admits this himself:
He promises to repay anyone he has cheated (Luke 19:8)
That suggests he had been dishonest or unjust.
He was considered “unclean” socially and religiously
Because of his actions and associations:
- He was excluded from respectable religious life
- People grouped him with other “sinners” (a general term for those living outside God’s law)
So, when Jesus chooses to stay at his house, people complain:
“He has gone to be the guest of a sinner”
What changes
The powerful part of the story is that Zacchaeus repents:
- Gives half his wealth to the poor
- Pays back four times what he cheated
And Jesus responds:
“Today salvation has come to this house… because he too is a son of Abraham.”
It’s easy to focus on others’ sin and how far they are from God—even to judge or feel disgust. But the conviction this morning is this: I too am a sinner in need of saving every day.
Zaccheus:
- Social and spiritual outcast- alone, isolated
- Doing his own thing pursuing comfort
- Hated and despised by others
- His heart was far from God
- Aligned with corrupt government that took advantage of and oppressed people; taking advantage of others
- He was hated
- He recognized by God’s grace that he needed to see Jesus
- AND Jesus saw him
- Zaccheus demonstrated his desire by being willing to be seen in an undignified way by climbing a tree
- He quickly responded to Jesus
- He quickly demonstrated repentance and restitution
You see friends, sinner isn’t a category for other people it’s a heart condition we all share:
- Choices we regret
- Times we’ve taken advantage of others
- Ways we’ve treated people unfairly and hurt them
- Selfish decisions
- Addictions that have run rampant in our lives – that hurt ourselves and others
- Religiosity – look good on outside but heart far from Jesus and his way, looks like conformity more than Jesus
The Greek word sōzō is a rich and important term in the New Testament. It’s often translated as “save,” but its meaning is broader than just spiritual salvation.
Core meanings of sōzō
Depending on context, it can mean:
• To save (from danger, sin, or judgment)
• To rescue or deliver
• To heal or make whole
• To preserve or protect
In the New Testament sōzō is used in multiple ways:
Spiritual salvation
“For by grace you have been saved…” (Ephesians 2:8)
Physical healing
Jesus often says things like:
“Your faith has made you well” — the word for “made well” is sōzō
Rescue from danger
Example: saving someone from drowning or peril
Sozo isn’t just about going to heaven someday—it’s about wholeness:
• restored relationship with God
• emotional and physical healing
• rescue from brokenness
sōzō carries the sense of being fully restored and made complete, not just “saved” in a narrow sense.
Even though Zaccheus was socially rejected, Jesus affirms him because of his faith and repentance.
A “son of Abraham” becomes someone who:
- Has faith in God like Abraham did
- Trusts God’s promise
- Jesus affirms and recognizes his repentance and faith
SO WHAT? – Lessons from Zacchaeus for us today
- No one is too far gone – Zacchaeus was an outcast, criminal and cast away.
- But Jesus saw him and called him by name.
- What is God calling you to let go of today?
- Is it your religiosity of looking at others sin and avoiding your own?
- Is it your past sins and failures, mistakes? Pain you’ve caused? Addictions?
- Is there something right now that you are struggling with and you have given up hope?
- LAY IT DOWN!
- Where is God calling you to go?
- The “other”? to the ones we have written off?
- If you are here today and you do not know Jesus, you’re in the right place.
- Jesus knows your name and he sees you,
- He is calling you to himself.
- Will you respond?
Discussion Questions:
- What does Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus reveal about true repentance?
- Who is a “Zacchaeus” in your life—someone you might be tempted to overlook, judge, or avoid?
- Where might God be calling you to step into uncomfortable or “messy” spaces to love others?
Application Questions:
- Zacchaeus responded quickly and publicly to Jesus—what is one step of obedience you can take this week?