Luke 19:1-48
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. When he heard that the Lord was passing his way, "he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature."
The crowd often gets in the way. Many people fail to see Christ, because they follow the crowd in their worldliness. The world is never our friend to lead us to God.
Anyhow, Zacchaeus "ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way." He was really surprised, as was everyone else, when Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." The tax collector hurried down the tree and "received Him joyfully."
While Zacchaeus was happy, the crowd wasn't. They grumbled, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." People aren't always excited when others come to Christ, especially those who are looked upon as immoral, unpleasant, or undesirable. These chronic complainers are found in some growing churches where the status quo is undergoing a change. Usually they display just how spiritual they are by demanding quality instead of quantity. They prefer a few good people, like themselves, rather than many people who lack their goodness. In other words, they don't want sinners in their congregation.
When Zacchaeus stood before Jesus, he said, "Look, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four-fold." And Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to this house." Today! The little man was saved then and there. Salvation is a present possession.
Next the Lord explained why this tax collector was saved. It was "because he also is a son of Abraham." But was Jesus saying that Zacchaeus was saved because he was a Jew? No. Many Jews boasted that God was their Father because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the words of Abraham." John 8:39. What were the works of Abraham? Works of faith! Zacchaeus trusted in Jesus, and was saved.
Lord, we know that You save sinners from personal experience. You are rich in mercy, calling sinful men and women, boys and girls, to Yourself. Thank you for working in our lives. We are grateful. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen!
