Luke 19:1-10: The story of Zacchaeus stole my heart and thoughts in this reading. I can almost sense the anxiety as a vertically challenged man is longing to see this man they whole country side has been talking about. I can just picture “figuring out” how he is going to see him. Wonder how long it took him to calculate the plan of climbing the tree? Where there others up there with him? Did he have a sense of anticipation as he saw Jesus and the crowd getting closer and closer? Did his heart nearly jump out of his skin when Jesus looked up? And then, yes then He looked directly at Zacchaeus! I can almost hear the ruffle of laughter in his voice as He said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house?” WHAT!!! I can just imagine the gasp from the crowd as Jesus makes the statement. “Doesn’t He know that Zacchaeus is a rotten thief who collects taxes?” I can just hear the murmuring of the good church people. Jesus with a big smile on His face probable embraced Zacchaeus and began to carry on a conversation with him. It must have been quite life changing because of Zacchaeus’ response, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much! ” True heart change is reflected by actions. Zacchaeus wasn’t just honored to have Jesus in his home. He was changed. Jesus said it like this. 9“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” What a great reminder to us all.
If you are reading this and have never put your trust in Jesus, don’t delay. He is still changing lives and saving people today. Feel free to PM me and I would be honored to walk you through how that happens. For those of us who have already made that commitment, look for those around you that are looking. They may even be “up a tree”. Share the good news of Jesus that has changed your life.