“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
The story of Zacchaeus is one of salvation arriving. It’s a story of the awakening of a lost soul to the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven. Zacchaeus did nothing to earn this holy visitation from Jesus. He did nothing to earn his salvation but simply expressed a desire to know and to see. “He wanted to see Jesus….and so he ran.”
The reason for Jesus’ visiting the house of Zacchaeus for dinner was so that salvation might come to his house. Even though Zacchaeus was a sinner and called out for being so, Jesus went to stay at his house. And Zacchaeus, welcomed gladly the Son of God into his home. He began to repent by offering to give half of all he has to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated, up to four times! It’s after this that Jesus proclaims, “Today, salvation has come to this house.”
What an amazing statement and transition for this man Zacchaeus. His desire to please God, pleased God. It was at the very moment of his repentance that salvations arrival was made complete. For as Jesus concludes this interaction saying, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” Zacchaeus is a changed man.
God gives many of us a “want to.” A “want to” to know him, a “want to” to follow him, a “want to” to find meaning in life outside our own realm of sadness and despair. God gives us a “want to” to fall in love with him once and for all. The picture of Zacchaeus running to find a place high enough to see Jesus was enough to catch the Messiah’s attention. Jesus saw Zacchaeus’ heart, his desire, and his “want to.”
Is that desire within us this day? Do we long to know the Master? Do we long to fall in love with a God who calls us to himself? Are we willing to allow Jesus to dine with us, call us to repentance, and witness the arrival of salvation into our homes today?
He is will to save you. Are you willing to be saved?
”O Lord God, your are good. Thank you for allowing us hope to walk with you. Thank you for this life, what a gift, and to know your power and presence. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me know you and to chase after the Son. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen