Luke 19 - 9.19.25

Scripture:  Luke 19:1-10

19 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.”

Observation:

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he received so much more.  He was already hated by the people as a chief tax collector.  They were not going to let him have a spot where he could see Jesus and he was too short to see over them.  He did a bold thing, he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree.  He was rich, so he must have been wearing nice clothes.  Scripture does not say whether or not he removed any garments to make the run or climb easier.  I’m guessing because this was an impulse, he ran and climbed as is.

Jesus knows when we are seeking Him.  Jesus got to where Zacchaeus was in the tree and looked up and told him to come down.  The reason, ‘I must stay at your house today.”   Zacchaeus immediately came down and welcomed him .  I’m wondering was his house nearby or did the muttering happen before they reached his house and overheard?  It says all the people, not just the religious leaders muttered, “He has gone to be he guest of a sinner.”  It seems Zacchaeus standing up and declaring he will give half of his possessions to the poor and pay back those cheated four times the amount was a response to their muttering. It is evident that Zacchaeus was truly transformed by his encounter with Jesus.  What he did of his own accord something very similar to what Jesus had asked the rich young ruler to do in the previous chapter.

Jesus spoke directly to Zacchaeus that salvation had come to the house because he was a “son of Abraham,” not because of his deeds.  Jesus declares His mission is to seek and save the lost.

Application:

Zacchaeus did not let a huge barrier stop him from his goal of seeing Jesus.  I want to be like him and not let perceived roadblocks or limitations stop me.  His transformation caused him to give generously of what he had to the poor and those he had cheated.  When I encounter Jesus there should be a response to give of what I’ve been blessed with. It may not be money.  It could be time, a talent or something else.

I also want to join with Jesus to seek and share so He can save those who are lost.

Prayer:

Father God,

You see those who are striving to seek you and you love them.  Thank you for rewarding our efforts to come into your presence.  May I not take time spent with you lightly.  Each day I have opportunity to know you and your heart.  Help me to grow more and more like you in all I do.  Keep my eyes open for those seeking you so I can be your hands and feet.

Amen

- Cindy Howard