When Jesus Calls Your Name

As we continue in the series “Following Jesus,” we will look at how salvation transforms an unrighteous life into a righteous life. Before we further explore this topic, let’s reach out to God with prayer, and invite Him into this time of learning and self-reflection.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and for the incomprehensible sacrifice You made for me so I could be in right standing with You. Help me to lean into You today, and soak up all the goodness You have to offer. Help me to love others the way You love me. Thank You for assuring me that I am qualified by the blood of Jesus to do whatever You are calling me to. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 19:2-9 (NLT)
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

Have you ever been acknowledged in front of a crowd by someone you admired or was in a position of authority? How did it make you feel to hear your name?

I can only imagine how Zacchaeus felt, hearing his name called out by Jesus in front of the throngs of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the Messiah. As a despised tax collector, Zacchaeus was probably shocked to hear Jesus call his name. But Jesus wanted everyone to know that He accepted Zacchaeus as someone worth pursuing, even though everyone else regarded him with hate and contempt.

In your life, have you ever thought about how one good thing can sometimes lead to another, and another, if you are willing and open?

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, and Jesus called out to him (a good thing).

Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus, which made Zacchaeus feel happy and honored (an even better thing).

Zacchaeus believed in Jesus and showed true repentance by repaying those he had cheated (a very good thing).

Jesus extended salvation to Zacchaeus, and called him a true son of Abraham in front of all who were present (the best thing possible).

Like Zacchaeus, if we follow Jesus, our source of righteousness, soon we will feel a shift in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors toward others. For Zacchaeus, it happened quickly and with glorious results. Turn to God today, and feel the impact He can have in your life as well.

Spend some time thinking about how salvation through Jesus can transform the unrighteous into someone in right standing with our heavenly Father. Then go to God in prayer. If you need help getting started with your prayer, feel free to use one of the following prompts.

Father, thank You for loving me enough to show me the way to salvation…

Holy Spirit, help me to lean on You as I strive to treat others with the same love and grace You have extended to me…

I pray you feel a transformation in your life as powerful as that of Zacchaeus.