Hope Leads Us the Sinner to Seek
Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
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.”
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection
In Jesus’ time, grown men didn’t climb trees. Zacchaeus was a laughable joke!
Jericho was a prosperous trading hub, an oasis in the desert. Zacchaeus was a corrupt tax collector and outcast, even to his own people. He had a feeling of urgency and necessity though. He knew he was a sinner and that his life was incomplete. He longed to see Jesus, so he humbled himself and climbed that tree.
The crowd, annoyed with Zacchaeus, tried to keep him from getting close to Jesus. There was something in Zacchaeus that wouldn’t let him rest until he saw Jesus though. In order to get closer to Jesus, we sometimes have to ignore what others think or how they treat us. Zacchaeus was above the crowd financially, but he couldn’t see over it. He always seemed to come up short.
*short in stature
*short in temper
*short in righteousness
We are Zacchaeus! We have all sinned and fallen short, no matter our position or financial status.
When we truly come in contact with the Savior, we are compelled and convicted though. Jesus taught a radically reversed value system, and His presence provoked a transformation in Zacchaeus. This is the only time in the gospel where Jesus invited himself into someone else’s presence. The crowd saw what Zacchaeus was, but Jesus saw what he could become. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, and the desperate sinner was led to repentance.
When God has a plan for our lives, we sometimes get it twisted. It’s not about our will or what we want, it’s what God wants for us. Jesus tells us to make haste. If we are to know Jesus, we must move higher and have the courage to see over the crowd. No matter how weary or broken you may be, Jesus longs for you!
Jesus didn’t require Zacchaeus to change before He took up residence in his heart. His presence made a difference, and Zacchaeus was transformed by God’s grace. Zacchaeus wanted to know Jesus, not just see Him. Jesus’ presence in our lives makes a difference! If you’re reading this, come down from the tree. Jesus is calling you by name!
Action Steps
Read and contemplate the verses below from Ezekiel 34:16. How does this verse relate to today’s reflection?
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, hold me in the palm of Your hands and help me to seek You in everything and with everyone. Thank You for Your grace and armor. Help me have the courage to see above the crowd, have a heavenly mindset, and focus on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
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.”
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection
In Jesus’ time, grown men didn’t climb trees. Zacchaeus was a laughable joke!
Jericho was a prosperous trading hub, an oasis in the desert. Zacchaeus was a corrupt tax collector and outcast, even to his own people. He had a feeling of urgency and necessity though. He knew he was a sinner and that his life was incomplete. He longed to see Jesus, so he humbled himself and climbed that tree.
The crowd, annoyed with Zacchaeus, tried to keep him from getting close to Jesus. There was something in Zacchaeus that wouldn’t let him rest until he saw Jesus though. In order to get closer to Jesus, we sometimes have to ignore what others think or how they treat us. Zacchaeus was above the crowd financially, but he couldn’t see over it. He always seemed to come up short.
*short in stature
*short in temper
*short in righteousness
We are Zacchaeus! We have all sinned and fallen short, no matter our position or financial status.
When we truly come in contact with the Savior, we are compelled and convicted though. Jesus taught a radically reversed value system, and His presence provoked a transformation in Zacchaeus. This is the only time in the gospel where Jesus invited himself into someone else’s presence. The crowd saw what Zacchaeus was, but Jesus saw what he could become. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, and the desperate sinner was led to repentance.
When God has a plan for our lives, we sometimes get it twisted. It’s not about our will or what we want, it’s what God wants for us. Jesus tells us to make haste. If we are to know Jesus, we must move higher and have the courage to see over the crowd. No matter how weary or broken you may be, Jesus longs for you!
Jesus didn’t require Zacchaeus to change before He took up residence in his heart. His presence made a difference, and Zacchaeus was transformed by God’s grace. Zacchaeus wanted to know Jesus, not just see Him. Jesus’ presence in our lives makes a difference! If you’re reading this, come down from the tree. Jesus is calling you by name!
Action Steps
Read and contemplate the verses below from Ezekiel 34:16. How does this verse relate to today’s reflection?
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, hold me in the palm of Your hands and help me to seek You in everything and with everyone. Thank You for Your grace and armor. Help me have the courage to see above the crowd, have a heavenly mindset, and focus on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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