Luke 19:9-10
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
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Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him. And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. So, he is wealthy, hated by people and lastly, short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. This would mean preparing a dinner, a bed and his self in welcoming Jesus to his household. And he immediately did what he was told. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. He knows our longing for Him and our faith in Him. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. Jesus takes our shame upon himself willingly, waiting, hoping that we will understand and repent. What grace! What mercy! “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray.
Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him. And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. So, he is wealthy, hated by people and lastly, short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. This would mean preparing a dinner, a bed and his self in welcoming Jesus to his household. And he immediately did what he was told. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. He knows our longing for Him and our faith in Him. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. Jesus takes our shame upon himself willingly, waiting, hoping that we will understand and repent. What grace! What mercy! “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray.
Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
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