January 2002 chaplain's corner
The Chaplain's Corner is a monthly message for chaplains.
Chaplain's Corner - January 2002
Rev. Rich Hines
This message is primarily for those serving as correctional chaplains within the United States, and who call upon the name of Christ as their own Lord and Savior.
By God's grace as we enter yet another year of ministry, I want to speak to you Bible believing chaplains about evangelism. More directly I want to address the subject of the Christian chaplain's role in personal evangelism in the facilities they serve.
There are many passages from the Scriptures we could consider. Some of the best are in the gospels. There we can see how Jesus did personal evangelism. In most cases, His evangelistic encounters were also done in the presence of His disciples, so it was training for them.
Nicodemus in John 3, and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in John 4, would be two notable exceptions. We should consider these personal evangelism records in the gospels as part of His plan for training His followers. Even in John 4, though the disciples arrived on the scene at the end of His encounter with the woman, Jesus still used the setting as evangelistic training for them (see John 4:27-38).
One of my favorite accounts of Jesus' personal evangelism is the conversion of Zacchaeus found in Luke 19. The teaching in the passage could be titled, "Jesus Seeks The Lost."
Luke 19:1-10 NKJV
1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.
7 But when they saw it, they complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
First, it should be noted that nothing about the substitutionary and sin propitiating death of Christ or His victorious resurrection, is stated in these 10 verses. I mention this at the outset because you should always include the saving facts of the gospel (the substitutionary death and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ) in any presentation of the gospel that you make in doing personal evangelism.
But the gospel of Luke itself is a very long gospel tract - it is evangelistic. Luke himself was presenting the gospel facts to his friend Theophilus (See Luke 1:3,4 & Acts 1:1). This particular encounter in chapter 19, takes place soon after the original reader, Theophilus, was told that Jesus told His disciples about His soon coming death and resurrection (see Luke 18:31-33). So, in the continuing context of this written historical account, Jesus, the Christ is on His way to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world. And the reader of the whole of Luke's presentation would understand that.
The passage contains a wealth of information about God's salvation of the lost. First, there are practical principles that you and I can follow in seeking the lost ourselves. Then, there is theological truth here that is important to think about and be in step with, in personal evangelism.
Here are some practical points to imitate from Christ's personal evangelism in Luke 19:1-10
1. LIKE CHRIST, WE MUST SEEK OUT THE LOST.
The Lord Jesus had a sense of purpose. He knew why He was here. Apart from His attributes as God, as a man and the Servant of the Father and His plan, He had the sense of "Divine Appointments." Note it in verse 5, "today I MUST stay at your house." Similarly when He would evangelize the woman of Samaria in John 4, we read "He needed to go through Samaria" (John 4:4). That was not the normal route from Judea to Galilee, but Jesus sensed He needed to go through Samaria to seek the lost people of Sychar, and the woman in particular. As He explained to His disciples, later in John 9:4 "I (or 'we') must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work." We must be in our ministry to seek the lost.
2. WE MUST TAKE TIME TO DEAL WITH THOSE THAT SHOW THEY ARE INTERESTED IN CHRIST.
Our text teaches us that Jesus saw Zacchaeus perched up in the tree. Jesus knew he was there because he wanted to know more about Him. So, Jesus stopped the entire parade. He had a schedule. He was on His way to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world. He was only 17 miles from His geographical objective, yet He took time out to deal with this seeking sinner. There are blessed interuptions! Don't be so appointment driven that you miss those that truly do want to know about Christ in your facility, or anywhere.
3. WE MUST BE READY BY PLANNING TO BE WITH THEM.
Jesus actually did spend the rest of the afternoon in Jericho with Zacchaeus at his house. In your ministry as chaplain for the inmates and staff, I want to urge you to plan and arrange your schedule so that you have time to be with the people. The largest part of that time you should be doing three things: pre-evangelism, evangelism and discipleship. I know many chaplains rarely even see inmates, but instead do nothing but paperwork or administration. Christian chaplains should apply to themselves the words that Jesus gave in the upper room to the Apostles
"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21)
Chaplains should mimic the Apostle Paul's ministry in Ephesus in the correctional facility or on skid row.
"You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but PROCLAIMED IT TO YOU, AND TAUGHT YOU PUBLICALLY AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, (that takes planning) testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:18-21)
I also want to give a word of caution, be more concerned with the quality of time spent than with the quantity of inmates or staff seen. Depth is always more important than breadth. If you see five inmates in a day of ministry and spend good quality in-depth personal evangelism or discipleship time with them, that's far better than briefly seeing fifty and passing out tracts and not going very deep.
4. WE MUST NOT BE INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD'S (OR EVEN THE PROFESSING CHURCH'S) CRITICISM OVER CARING FOR THE OUTCAST AND SINFUL.
The crowd scoffed and murmured against Christ for apparently befriending the outcast, the vile sinner, Zacchaeus.
But He never let that deter Him from His purpose. Often in my years as a correctional chaplain, I would hear words of discouragement and doubt from staff, and even from men who were on the pastoral staff of my own local church.
I heard things like "Why do you want to waste your time with a bunch of losers like those men?" Or, "Chaplain, if you are going to tell me that one of those (I can't repeat the foul adjectives) inmates can live the life they've lived and then, at the end respond to the message you bring and through that go to heaven, then I don't want to be there!"
But, like Jesus, we are to be known as the friend of tax collectors (publicans) and sinners! See Luke 7:34; 15:1,2.
5. WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE TRULY REPENTANT SINNERS, WHEN WE SEE THE FRUIT OF THEIR REPENTANCE.
Verse 8 records the fruit of Zacchaeus' new heart of repentance in turning from the kind of life he had lived to do the right thing to his former victims. Then, in verse 9, we read that Jesus said of him, "he also is a son of Abraham."
That title ultimately meant that Zacchaeus had become a true believer. He was the spiritual descendant of Abraham the true believer. Society wanted to cast him out, but Jesus wanted to secure him in the kingdom of God.
Here are some theological truths in Luke 19:1-10
1. ABOUT MANKIND (represented in the passage by Zacchaeus) -
A. HE IS A LOST SINNER.
Zacchaeus was lost. The people called him a "sinner" (verse 7).
"He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." A more literal translation reads "With a sinful man, He entered to lodge."
He had defrauded many in order to obtain riches (verse 8 makes that clear).
"and if (since) I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation,"or "if anyone anything I accused falsely,"
Zacchaeus was as all mankind is, sinful. We need to stress that in any evangelism. That is the starting point.
B. SIN CANNOT SATISFY.
Something was lacking in Zacchaeus' heart. Even though he had arrived at the long sought after position of being a chief tax-collector, and had obviously obtained financial security, verse 2 says "he was rich," (the Greek word used means rich in abundance, or as we would say, 'filthy rich') he was still unfulfilled. One reason he sought to see Jesus was that he was not totally satisfied with his life of sin even though it brought him wealth.
C. SIN BRINGS A CURSE.
Verse 1 tells us the base of Zacchaeus' operation was "Jericho." Jericho was a town that had, because of sin, been cursed by God. Reserved by God for total destruction. After it's initial destruction because of the idolatry associated with it, God through Joshua added this curse to its identity, because the LORD did not want it ever rebuilt.
"Cursed be the man before the LORD who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates." (Joshua 6:26).
This prophecy and curse was literally fulfilled over five hundred years after Joshua, in the days of Ahab, the evil king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). In 1 Kings 16:33,34 we read:
"Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun."
Further we read:
Galatians 3:10,11,13
10 ... it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree").
The ultimate curse of sin is death. Even eternal death, which is separation from God forever and ever. Consider the following Scriptural statements:
"The wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23 " The soul who sins shall die" Ezekiel 18:20, "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" 2 Thess. 2:9.
Zacchaeus was also cursed by his fellow inhabitants of Jericho, they looked down on him calling him a "sinner."
So, sin is everybody's problem, it cannot satisfy human hearts, and it brings a curse on them.
2. ABOUT GOD IN CHRIST.
A. IT IS HIS INTENT TO TAKE AWAY SINS CURSE. (Look back again at Galatians 3:13)
"And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation came to this house, because even he is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man came to seek and to save" (A literal translation of verses 9,10). The crowd called Zacchaeus a "sinner" in verse 7, but Jesus pronounced the blessing "a son of Abraham" (verse 9) on him after he had received Christ as his guest (as his Lord is also implied). Note that in verse 8, Zacchaeus called Jesus his "Lord."
B. HE SEEKS HOPELESS PERSONS.
"the Son of Man came to seek and to save the thing having been lost." (A literal translation of verse 10)
When Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus in verse 9,10; He was also explaining to the murmurers in the crowd that He, the Son of Man, had come to seek and save or redeem, such hopelessly lost persons as this sinner.
C. HE IS INTERESTED IN EACH PERSON, PERSONALLY, INDIVIDUALLY.
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him," verse 5
When Christ came to the spot Zacchaeus had chosen to perch himself, He stopped and looked up at him. I believe their eyes met. The word "saw" in verse 5, means more than just to notice someone. This word carries the meaning of full comprehension and understanding. Then, we read in verse 5 that Jesus spoke to him, by name "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
God doesn't save and redeem men on the group plan. He does it one by one in a personal encounter with them. Remember God is after a relationship with fallen, sinful humans. His purpose in saving some is more than just delivering them from going to hell fire. God wants what He originally created each person for - a special relationship with Himself.
D. HE KNOWS EVERY SIN EACH PERSON HAS EVER COMMITTED.
When we read in verse 5, that Jesus called him by name, the implication is that Christ also knew all about his life with its sin. The Jews put great importance in names. A person's name was given to them to suggest their character. Jesus' human name means "Savior," or more fully "Yah (Jehovah) is salvation." Zacchaeus' name meant "holiness," but his life turned out to be quite the opposite. After his encounter with Jesus this man truly repented of his sins. Verse 8 makes that very clear, literally it says:
"And standing Zacchaeus said to the Lord, "Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, to the poor I give, and if (the sense of the 'if' is 'since') anyone anything I accused falsely, I restore fourfold."
I have much to say about this pronouncement from Zacchaeus, but for now I want to stress that God had made him very conscious of his sins. Anyone that has an encounter with the true God, always becomes convicted about their own moral wrongdoings. When Jesus addressed Zacchaeus, in verse 5, we can be sure He knew every sin he had ever been guilty of.
Psalm 139:1-4 says:
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
In John 4 we read of another encounter with Jesus, it was with a sinful Samaritan woman. Jesus said to her:
"You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." (John 4:17,18)
She said Jesus:
"told me all things that I ever did." (John 4:29)
Jesus knew every sin Zacchaeus had ever committed and yet He, the Savior still sought him out for salvation. He knows every sin everyone has ever committed.
3. ABOUT THE GOSPEL THAT CHANGES SINNERS, ABOUT SALVATION.
A. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE GOSPEL, IS SALVATION, IS ETERNAL LIFE.
Jesus was always the heart of His own message. He said "I am the bread of Life," "I am the Light of the world," I am the Door," "I am the Good Shepherd," "I am the resurrection and the life," "I am the way the truth and the life" and "I am the vine" ( John 6:35, 8:12, 10:9, 10:14, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1,5). In John 8:58 He said he was the great "I AM."
The gospel or good news is centered in His person and work. Salvation, in Luke 19:1-10, and eternal life, in John 17:3, is not a commodity that Christ dispenses. Rather, He is Salvation, He is Eternal Life.
See this in our text from Luke 19 -
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him. "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE." Verse 5. (CAPITALS FOR EMPHASIS)
"And Jesus said to him, "Today SALVATION HAS COME to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for THE SON OF MAN HAS COME to seek and to save that which was lost." (verses 9,10)
The Interlinear translation might make this point a bit clearer, it reads; "Today SALVATION TO THIS HOUSE CAME, because even he is a son of Abraham; for THE SON OF MAN CAME to seek and to save the thing having been lost." Salvation came, Jesus the Son of Man came.
In John 17:3 Jesus said:
"this is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
B. THE GOSPEL IS FOR ALL.
If Jesus came "to seek and to save" the "lost" as verse 10 affirms, and all humanity is lost in sin, as Romans 3:23 affirms, then the gospel He offers must be in some sense, for all. Whosoever will may come to Him for salvation.
The difficulty we sometimes create in evangelism is in assuming everybody making any move that looks like it is towards Christ, is genuine. But true God-created repentance is the mark of a genuine seeker, and we will look at this a bit deeper later.
C. IT CAN ONLY BE RECEIVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS THROUGH A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST, AND A PROPER RESPONSE TO CHRIST.
Luke 19:
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him. "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
6 So HE MADE HASTE AND CAME DOWN, AND RECEIVED HIM JOYULLY. (Capitals added for emphasis)
Into his own home he welcomed salvation: Christ.
D. NO ONE IS TOO SINFUL TO RECEIVE CHRIST.
Luke 19:
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him. "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.
7 But when they saw it, they complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
But no one is too sinful for Christ to redeem. That's an important truth for chaplains to know and remember as they serve in the prison or jail facility.
E. THOSE WHO RECEIVE SALVATION, SEEK IT PERSISTENTLY.
Luke 19:
3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.
Contrast that effort to the teaching in Jesus' parable of the sower and the soils, especially the stony ground hearers explained in Matt. 13:20,21
20 ...he who receives the seed (the message of the gospel, the word of the kingdom, in verse 19) on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles
F. ONLY THOSE THAT REPENT OF THEIR SIN THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST SHOW THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED SALVATION.
Luke 19:
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
"Restore" here is a present indicative active verb, that means it is contemporary action, a fuller English translation is 'I do here and now restore') That means Zacchaeus was in effect turning himself in for crimes they didn't even know about - when as yet, there wasn't even a warrant out for his arrest.
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
Jesus affirmed him as a saved man, a son of Abraham, because the fruit of repentance was already beginning to bud.
Remember these Theological truths when doing personal evangelism. You might even make a check list to place in an inconspicious place. It should be something like this:
1. Have we talked about the issue of personal sin and God's judgement?
2. Have I explained that sin is linked to dissatisfaction?
3. Have I explained who Jesus is?
4. Have I explained why He came and what He did (the cross and the empty tomb)?
5. Did I tell him or her that salvation from sin and eternal life is Jesus Christ Himself?
6. Have I stressed a personal encounter with Him?
7. Did I explain repentance and faith in Christ as Savior?
Next month I'll again look at this wonderful passage with you. We'll see some things that apply directly to the inmate culture you are there to reach for Christ. God bless you dear servants of Christ.
Rich Hines - Minister To Chaplains