The Zacchaeus Factor (Luke 19:1-10)
Big Idea: Christians should overcome discomfort to befriend non-believers and share Christ's love, following Jesus's example of seeking the lost.
Have you ever felt uneasy spending time with people who don’t share your faith? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself questioning why another believer would associate with someone whose lifestyle seems so far from God?
That discomfort is not new. In Luke 19:7, we see people grumbling when Jesus chose to spend time with Zacchaeus, a notorious sinner. Their complaints, similar to the Israelites’ in the wilderness, highlight a deeper issue: the challenge of accepting grace beyond our comfort zones.
Not only was Jesus hanging around a sinner, but he was hanging around a sinner with a really bad reputation. We read in verse 2 that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, which means that he stood at the top of the collection pyramid. Back then, there were pyramid schemes, and this was the ultimate: everyone paid taxes, and tax collectors received a commission. Zacchaeus, in particular, profited from the commissions of those below him. No wonder he is a wealthy man, even though many consider his wealth ill-gotten. Tax collectors were so despised in ancient times that they were listed alongside murderers and robbers in some documents.
So here is Jesus befriending an out-and-out sinner. And it wasn't the first time. In fact, Jesus called a tax collector to be one of his twelve disciples. He was known to associate with immoral women. Jesus had such a poor reputation that people labeled him a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34).
Why We're Uncomfortable
How many sinners do you have as friends this morning? Some Christians mistakenly assume that it is wrong to build relationships with sinners. And many of their reasons come from the Bible.
Biblical issues
James 4:4 says, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." At first glance, this verse might seem harsh, even confusing. Does it mean we’re supposed to avoid relationships with people who don’t share our faith? Not at all. In 1 John 2:15-17, "the world" refers not to people but to the sinful systems, values, and behaviors that oppose God. We are called to love people as Christ does, without endorsing their sins.
This tension is reflected throughout the Bible. James 1:27 reminds us that pure and faultless religion involves keeping ourselves from being polluted by the world. In John 17:14-15, Jesus prays for his followers, saying, "They are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." Jesus calls us to stay engaged with the world while living according to his holiness and showing grace to others.
In John 17:18, Jesus continues, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." This is a clear call to mission. We shouldn't isolate ourselves but rather act as Christ's ambassadors, spreading his light in dark places.
However, this mission requires discernment. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:17—"Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you"—remind us of the importance of maintaining spiritual purity. Paul discusses the problem of believers forming alliances with unbelievers that weaken their faith and draw them away from God. This doesn’t mean avoiding everyday friendships or interactions with non-Christians. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 that interacting with non-believers is both acceptable and essential for practicing our faith.
The challenge, then, is to strike the right balance. We’re called to love people deeply, as Christ does, while guarding our hearts against the influence of sin. It’s about living in the world without being of the world—engaging with culture without adopting its values. This requires wisdom, humility, and a constant reliance on God’s grace. We should focus on reflecting Christ’s love and truth to draw others to him while staying true to his call for holiness.
We may distance ourselves from non-believers due to biblical reasons, but understanding the Bible allows us to love others while protecting our hearts. Here's a second reason we withdraw from unbelievers:
Spiritual danger
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” This verse warns against accepting false teachers who deny Christ's resurrection, but the principle also applies to our relationships. The warning is clear: the people we surround ourselves with will inevitably shape us, for better or worse. When we engage with those who reject the gospel, we should make sure we influence them, rather than being influenced ourselves.
Consider a practical example. Imagine attending an office party or going out with coworkers after work. If you come home with a strong smell of alcohol and wake up with a headache, it's a sign that you've overindulged. In such cases, it’s wise to step back and reassess. Are you drawing others toward Christ, or are they pulling you away from Him? If the latter, it may be time to create some distance, at least temporarily, to regain your footing.
However, this doesn’t mean avoiding relationships with non-believers altogether. Instead, we are encouraged to cultivate meaningful friendships that have a purpose—deliberately guiding others towards Christ. Adopting this mindset in relationships helps us maintain our faith and uphold God's values. We should be intentional, prayerful, and grounded, making sure our presence in others' lives directs them to the hope and truth of Jesus.
The key is balance. We’re not called to retreat from the world but to engage with it wisely. As Jesus demonstrated, it’s possible to spend time with those far from God without compromising our integrity. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, not to adopt their ways, but to show them the way to life. We are called to be salt and light—interacting with the world while staying true to our values, influencing others without succumbing to sin. This requires discernment, accountability, and a constant reliance on God’s grace to ensure that our character remains rooted in him.
Christians resist building relationships with non-believers due to biblical concerns and potential spiritual dangers. Here's the third reason we're sometimes hesitant:
Reputational risk
"If I start spending personal time in public places with nonbelievers, what will the people in my church think?" That’s a fair question, and it’s one that many Christians wrestle with. The truth is, people in the church may misunderstand your efforts to connect with those outside the faith. They might question your motives or even your integrity. But here’s the good news: you’re in excellent company. Jesus didn’t just risk his reputation—he willingly let it be tarnished for the sake of reaching the lost.
Luke 7:34 highlights the criticism Jesus received: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" Jesus, the perfect Son of God, was accused of being a glutton and drunkard for choosing to share meals and life with marginalized people. He didn’t shy away from the company of tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. Instead, he leaned in, knowing that his presence among them was an extension of God’s grace.
Matthew 9:10-13 paints a vivid picture of this. While Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, surrounded by tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees were scandalized. They asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus’ response is both profound and convicting: "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."
Jesus’ actions remind us that the gospel is for everyone, especially those who feel far from God. He didn’t come to preserve his reputation or to cater to the expectations of the religious elite. He came to seek and save the lost, often entering uncomfortable or offensive situations and relationships.
So, what does this mean for us? To truly follow Jesus, we must engage in the complexities of relationships with people who haven't yet come to know him. Yes, it might raise eyebrows. Yes, some people in the church might misunderstand. But our goal isn’t to please people—it’s to reflect the heart of Christ. And his heart beats for the lost.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we throw caution to the wind. We need to be wise and discerning, ensuring that our interactions with non-believers don’t compromise our own faith or witness. We prioritize mercy over judgment, relationships over reputation, and Christ's mission over the comfort of staying in our Christian bubble.
The question isn’t, "What will people think?" The real question is, "What would Jesus do?" And we already know the answer to that. He would go to the people who need him most, no matter the cost to his reputation. Let’s follow his example, trusting that when we do, we’re walking in step with the very heart of God.
Christians hesitate to befriend non-believers because of biblical reasons, fears of spiritual corruption, and concerns about their reputation among other believers. There's one more reason:
Personal discomfort
Imagine going to a restaurant after church today. You see friends at two tables, and both of them want you to join them. One is a group of people from the church that you know and like. At the other table is a friend from work. You see them smoking and drinking and laughing just a little too loud. And you know there might be an off-color joke or two. Which table do you sit at?
Now, God doesn't call us to go back into the environment we used to be in, but he calls us to visit it. And to build bridges. While not all unbelievers are the same, it's generally easier to be with those who share our faith than with those who have different beliefs and lifestyles. But friends, we have to do it.
In Luke 19:10, Jesus tells us his life mission. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Friends, that's our mission too. What good is a hospital that won't accept sick patients? What good is a church that won't welcome sinners? What good is salt if it loses its saltiness? What good is a Christian who doesn't have any unbelieving friends with whom they can share God's love?
There was once a man who served in President Nixon’s administration in the United States. Time magazine described him as “tough, wily, nasty, and tenaciously loyal to Richard Nixon.” He was called the White House "hatchet man," a former Marine captain who allegedly claimed he would run over his own grandmother to ensure Nixon's reelection. His name was Charles Colson.
One evening, Colson spoke with a business friend, Tom Phillips, and said, “Uh—Brainerd tells me you’ve become very involved in some religious activities.” Phillips replied, “Yes, that’s true, Chuck. I’ve accepted Jesus Christ. I’ve committed my life to Him, and it’s been the most marvelous experience of my whole life.” It’s clear Phillips had thought carefully about what he would say.
Later, Colson felt compelled to visit Phillips at his home. That evening, Phillips discussed spiritual topics, shared his testimony, and gave Colson a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Lewis. Not long after, one Friday morning, Colson read the book and prayed, “Lord Jesus, I believe You. I accept You. Please come into my life. I commit to You.” He later wrote to Phillips, telling him about the step he had taken.
Colson went on to write a book about his experience called Born Again. That book found its way into the hands of a young man in a Philippine prison, given to him by his mother. After reading it, he gave his life to Christ. His name was Benigno Aquino, imprisoned by the Marcos regime, later assassinated, and whose wife would go on to become president of the Philippines. Thousands of lives around the world have been transformed through Colson’s ministry, but it all began with the simple, faithful witness of a man named Tom Phillips.
And friends, this morning, God can do something just as extraordinary through the witness of someone like you. If Jesus were walking in bodily form in Etobicoke today, I have no doubt He’d be busy befriending sinners. That’s his call to us—to reach out to someone like Zacchaeus in your life. You never know how God might use your faithfulness to spark a ripple effect that changes lives for eternity.
I’d like to suggest a simple and practical tool to help us befriend and impact those around us who may not yet know Christ. It's called the "Missing LINK." This approach is inspired by Jesus, who befriended various people during his visits to communities in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. He calls us to do the same. We can connect Jesus with people in our communities who haven't met Him yet.
The letters in LINK outline four steps to guide us in reaching out to others:
L – List
Start by prayerfully listing the people Jesus might want to befriend through you. It could be a neighbor, a coworker, your barber, or someone you see regularly. Write their names down somewhere meaningful, like in your Bible or on a note you’ll see often, and commit to praying for them.
I – Initiate
Take the first step to initiate a friendship. We all know how to make friends—go out of your way to express Christ’s warmth to that person. But remember, it has to be genuine. People can spot insincerity a mile away. And don’t stop being their friend if they don’t respond to the gospel right away. Love them for who they are, not as a project. Look for ways to connect with them authentically.
N – Notice
Pay attention to how they respond. Often, your friendliness will be reciprocated. Notice their reactions as they begin to engage with your kindness and interest. Be sensitive to how God might be working in their hearts through your relationship.
K – Know
Be prepared to share your faith when the opportunity arises. This is one of the most important steps because it’s easy to get tongue-tied when spiritual conversations come up. Think ahead about how you might share your story or explain the hope you have in Christ. Be ready to link your relationship with them to your relationship with Jesus.
As we follow these steps, we can purposefully build relationships and share God’s love with those around us. It could be as easy as inviting someone to church, sharing a meaningful book, or discussing faith over coffee. The goal is to be intentional and open to how God might use you.
There’s a story from the time of Oliver Cromwell that illustrates this beautifully. When the British government ran low on silver for coins, Cromwell sent agents to search the local cathedral for precious metals. They reported back, “The only silver we could find is the statues of the saints standing in the corners.” Cromwell replied, “Good! We’ll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!” That’s exactly what God calls us to do—He wants to put us, His saints, into circulation to bring His love and truth to the world.
So, let me challenge you this morning. Think of someone you know who God might be encouraging you to befriend. It could be a neighbor, a coworker, or someone you see regularly. Picture their name in your mind. Now, consider one way you could initiate a friendship with them this week. Could you invite them for lunch? Join them in a shared hobby? Or simply take the time to be friendly and intentional in your interactions?
Purpose to take that step this week. As you do, notice how they respond, and be ready to share Christ with them when the time comes. Ask God to guide you, and trust that he will use your efforts to make an eternal impact. Let’s step out in faith and be the missing link that connects others to Jesus.
