Luke 19-7.5.21
SCRIPTURE
Luke 19:8
“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!””
OBSERVATION-What does it say?
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in his region, and he became very rich doing what he did. He heard Jesus was in town and fought through the crowds to try to see him. But since Zacchaeus wasn’t particularly a tall fellow, he had to climb up a tree to try to get a glimpse of Jesus. Then as Jesus was walking by, he looked up in the tree, called Zacchaeus by name, told him to come down from there, and said that he is going to his house that day. Zacchaeus was excited to be able to have Jesus come to his house. He knew being a tax collector, he wasn’t particularly liked by anyone. So having anyone come over to his house, especially Jesus, was a HUGE deal! As Zacchaeus stood before Jesus, he admits he has cheated people on their taxes to get rich. He vows to Jesus that he will rectify his wrongdoings by giving half his money to the poor, and also give back the people he scammed in their taxes, 4 times their money back. Jesus was impressed with this response. He saw that Zacchaeus was truly sorry for the wrong things he has done. He saw that Zacchaeus really wanted to change for the better. He saw Zacchaeus willingly open up his house to him. And because of all that, Jesus tells Zacchaeus that salvation has come to his home that day.
UNDERSTANDING-What does it mean?
True salvation comes from Jesus.
Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner. He knew that all the money he had accumulated would not be able to save him from his sins. Zacchaeus needed a savior. Zacchaeus needed Jesus. So what did Zacchaeus do? He fought through crowds. He fought through obstacles. He did everything he could to see Jesus. It turns out, Jesus was looking for him all along. Jesus gave Zacchaeus an invitation that day. In which Zacchaeus accepted. Zacchaeus confessed his sins to Jesus. He made a vow to change his ways and turn away from his wickedness. Zacchaeus not only let Jesus come to his home that day, he let Jesus into his heart. For this, Jesus said, Zacchaeus has found salvation. Zacchaeus found his Lord and Savior in Jesus Christ.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”-Revelation 3:20
LIFE APPLICATION
How will you respond when Jesus comes knocking at your door?
Will you respond like Zacchaeus, with excitement, and joyfully invite Jesus inside? Or will you treat Jesus like some traveling salesman, keeping ever so quiet and still, looking through the peephole of your door, waiting for him to leave you and your family alone? I hope and pray that we treat Jesus the way Zacchaeus did. Zacchaeus could have easily made an excuse that his house/heart was unfit for someone like Jesus to come in and visit. But Jesus didn’t care. Jesus was willing to look past all the dirt and mess in Zacchaeus’ life and still meet with him. I think Zacchaeus knew this. That’s why he felt so honored, excited, and blessed that someone like Jesus was still willing to visit him, while everyone else despised him and wanted nothing to do with him. Zacchaeus was going to make the best of this opportunity. He knew he found someone who loved him no matter what. Zacchaeus was so grateful by this visit from Jesus, that he decided to live his life the way Jesus calls us to… by loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving others the way we love ourselves. Zacchaeus life was forever changed. He wasn’t an outsider that was despised anymore. Instead, he was called to a higher purpose, to help others in need. He was called and loved by God.
-Moses Gaddi