Zacchaeus found out that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. As Jesus journeyed to the cross, He stopped by Jericho, where a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus lived. By the world’s standards, Zacchaeus was prosperous, but inside, he knows he is empty. Our enemy tells us that if we have more, it will make us happy, but this is a lie. What makes a person satisfied is having a personal relationship with the Lord.
As Jesus came down the street, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road to see Jesus walk by. Luke 19:5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” [1]
That Jesus knew his name must have surprised Zacchaeus, who quickly came down from the tree and took Jesus into his home. As we struggle, Jesus knows our name and asks us to be a guest in our house. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, He comes into our house figuratively.
Asking Jesus into our Hearts Transforms Us
Something happened on the inside of Zacchaeus when Jesus came into his house. Luke 19:8Meanwhile, 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!”[2] In a spiritual sense, Zacchaeus had a heart change and came into the Kingdom of Light.
As Jesus saw the change in the heart of Zacchaeus, He confirmed that the change in Zacchaeus was not momentary, but he became a person of faith. Luke 19:9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” [3]
These words sum up the good news of Jesus. There is no other news like this. Jesus is a seeker calling lost sheep to come to Him. Just as Jesus transformed Zacchaeus, He can also transform our hearts.
Jesus is Seeking You
We live in an age where people seek to fill their lives with something that will bring peace, but only Jesus will fill the whole in our hearts. Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. [4] We are lost in our own seeking until Jesus says, “Hurry and come down.” Stop searching. Stop trying to save yourself. I have come to seek and save the lost.
We are all lost sinners who deserve God’s judgment. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die on the cross and save not only Zaccheaus but us. In God’s mercy, He sent His Son to die for our sins on the cross. Jesus suffered in our place on the cross, was dead and buried, and then rose on the third day. When did Jesus call you to faith? If so, how has He changed your life?
To learn how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/forward-with-full-knowledge
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.