Zacchaeus Seeks Jesus

1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladl  (Luke 19:1-6)

Thoughts: Zacchaeus had all the money he needed.  But he was missing something. He was missing an eternal reason to live.  He was missing love.  He was missing God.  He had heard of Jesus for he had been to Jericho before and healed people.  He wanted to see the One who might get him to God.  But Jesus sought him out.  He called him by name.  He knew his sin, but He also loved this sinner.  He said, "I must stay in your house."  God does not ask us to invite him- he says "I must stay with you."  In response Zacchaeus welcomes him.  When we seek God, He rewards Him. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek you and find you.  

I'm Going to Your House Today

1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8But 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.”

9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19)

Thoughts: Jesus did not just come to Jericho to be in a parade.  He came to care.  He cared for the sinner Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus was extra despised  as a tax collaborator with the Romans.  He could legally fleece his own people, getting more than required.  Not only did Zacchaeus seek Jesus out, but Jesus sought him out.  Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Jesus.  Jesus went to his house- to be the guest of a sinner.  He was not worried about appearances, but worried about Zacchaeus.  We should not be skeptical about the ability of Jesus to go to anyone and change them.  This is the real power of the Gospel.  It is the welcoming, hospitable, life-changing power.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have come to me.  Help me to show your kind of hospitality to others.  Give me eyes to see others as you see them.  

11-12-13 Thanksfulness in action

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.” (Luke 19:1-10)

Thoughts: Zacchaeus was a sinner who was thankful for a second chance.  Jesus appreciated his thankfulness shown in concrete repentance and generosity.  Salvation is something for which we should be thankful.  We should all show our gratitude for our salvation by the way we live- with a change.  Greed can be changed into generosity.  Apathy toward others can be changed to charity.  When God comes to us and we see Him not at a distance but face to face, then everything changes including us.  

Prayer:  May my gratitude to you show itself in the way I live, O Lord.