Reach Your Two

A person others had written off

Luke 19:1–10 places Jesus in Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. There he encounters Zacchaeus, a wealthy chief tax collector with a damaged reputation. The story asks a searching question: will we respond to people with the crowd’s contempt or with Jesus’ concern?

Success could not satisfy his need

Zacchaeus had money, influence, and people working under him. Yet he wanted to see Jesus. His possessions did not remove his spiritual need. Do not assume someone’s visible success tells you everything about their heart. The person who looks self-sufficient may still be searching.

Look beyond the obstacle

The crowd blocked Zacchaeus’s view, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree. Jesus stopped, noticed him, and initiated a visit. The decisive movement was not simply Zacchaeus seeking a glimpse; it was Jesus moving toward someone everyone else had dismissed.

The danger of joining the crowd

The onlookers objected to Jesus entering a sinner’s home. Their disapproval exposed a heart problem: they could identify Zacchaeus’s wrongdoing but had little interest in his rescue.

Reflection: Have I allowed someone’s lifestyle or reputation to become my excuse for giving up on them?

Grace produced visible change

Zacchaeus’s response reached his finances. He offered help to the poor and restitution to those he had cheated. His generosity did not purchase salvation; it demonstrated the changed heart the sermon describes. A meeting with Jesus transformed the way he treated other people.

Let Jesus’ mission shape ours

Jesus explains his purpose in Luke 19:10: he came to seek and save people who were lost. His followers cannot adopt a posture of avoidance while claiming to share his mission. Move toward people with the hope that Christ can change their lives.

Who are your two?

Begin with two people already within your circle: a neighbor, coworker, classmate, friend, or relative. You do not need to know everyone before you can love someone.

Your next step: Write down two names and ask God to use you in their lives.

Put REACH into practice

• R: Pray consistently for them.
• E: Share a meal and listen.
• A: Invite them to church.
• C: Explain the gospel clearly.
• H: Serve them in meaningful ways.

A simple pattern for turning concern into intentional, personal care.

R — Regularly pray

Reaching someone is a spiritual undertaking, not merely a social strategy. Ask God to soften hearts, open opportunities, and draw people toward Christ. Build prayer for your two into an existing daily habit so their names remain before you even when life becomes busy.

E — Eat together

A shared table creates room for a real relationship. Invite your two for a meal at home or somewhere comfortable. Give them your attention, hear their story, and enjoy their company. The sermon’s invitation is simple: make time to know the people you hope to reach.

A — Ask them to church

A personal invitation lets a friend experience something that matters deeply to you: worship, Scripture, and life with God’s people. Invite them to join you rather than merely suggesting that they attend sometime. Your existing relationship can make an unfamiliar place feel more approachable.

C — Clearly share the gospel

Romans 10:17 connects faith with hearing the message of Christ. Friendship and invitations matter, but people also need to understand the good news. Speak about Jesus’ death and resurrection, our need for forgiveness, and the call to turn from sin and trust him.

Find a natural opening

The sermon offers several ways to begin a gospel conversation:

• Describe how Christ changed your life.
• Ask about your friend’s spiritual beliefs.
• Write a thoughtful personal letter.
• Read a simple gospel resource together.

Choose an approach that allows honest conversation and room for questions.

H — Honor them through service

Look for a need you can meet: practical help, a thoughtful gift, support during difficulty, or consistent time together. Genuine care communicates that the person matters to you. This is a relationship, not a transaction. Serve because you love them, not to secure a response.

A small invitation can matter

The sermon illustrates how even a brief personal message can open a significant door. You do not need a polished speech before taking a first step. Pray, then reach out to one of your two with a sincere invitation to connect this week.

Pray for the church as well

Ask God to remove the attitudes that keep a congregation turned inward. Pray for renewed courage, clean hearts, and encouragement for people carrying personal burdens. A church’s mission grows through believers who depend on Jesus together and make room for people who do not yet belong.

Turn two names into action

Return to the names you wrote down. For each person, choose one next step from REACH and make a practical plan to follow through.

• When will I pray?
• How will I spend time with them?
• What opportunity can I take to share Christ?