Knowing Jesus

Knowing Jesus – April 6, 2025

Today, we’re going to look at two encounters Jesus had with two very different men…

1. The Young Ruler

Luke 18:18-27 – “A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

2. Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector

Luke 19:1-10 – Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Both men were . Luke 18:23; Luke 19:2

Question #1: What’s Most Likely to Hold You Back From Jesus?

Both men were by those around them. Luke 18:26; Luke 19:7

Rest assured that both men were also known by . Luke 18:19, 22; Luke 19:5

Question #2: Is It More Important What Think About You,
or What Thinks About You?

Only one man walked away with that day. Mark 10:22; Luke 19:9

Knowing Jesus Requires That I Admit I am . Luke 19:10; Luke 18:22

Knowing Jesus Requires a Willingness to Lay Down .
Luke 19:8; Luke 18:26-30; Mark 8:34

Final Question: How Important to You is Truly Jesus?