Luke 19:1-10 tells a story of a man named Zacchaeus, a short Jewish tax collector who climbed a tree and swallowed his pride to see a man called Jesus. I guess that would be like the governor of the state climbing a tree and getting to see Jesus. Most people worry too much about what man thinks about them to give it all to the Lord. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but the crowd of people was in his way, but he wanted to see Him so badly that he let go of his pride and climbed a tree. Jesus told him that today “Zacchaeus, salvation has come to your house today. You have demonstrated the same kind of faith as your ancestor, Abraham.” The crowd has been in my way before too. How about you? Sometimes it is pride, sometimes fear, wealth, or just a sin that I like to indulge in like sex or drugs. Either way these sins in our life keep us from the Father. Whatever the case may be, faith won’t let a person not come to Jesus. Wherever there is a desire to follow God, He will make a way! Just like He did for Zacchaeus by planting a tree in that field. It is the doubt in our life that sees the reasons why we can’t see Jesus, but the faith that finds the trees to climb. Doubt sees obstacles, faith finds a way.
Most tax collectors of that day and age were known for cheating people and being selfish and were not liked for those reasons. Zacchaeus admitted he was a sinner, he wanted to see Jesus. He laid down his pride and what people thought. He was noticed for that by Jesus and on that day was saved because of his heart, his faith, and his efforts to make right what he had done wrong. All people are lost by nature, most are not willingly open minded enough to admit it. The unwillingness in their life cuts them off from the salvation Jesus has for them. Only the ones who know they are lost and admit that can be saved.
I believe that in this story, per my study notes, that this was Christ’s last visit to Jericho. He was on His way to Jerusalem to die on the cross. Suppose Zacchaeus had missed this opportunity to see Christ! Would he have been saved? We never know when our last chance is going to be either. So we should listen to the call of God next time God puts it on our heart to receive Him, walk to the alter, hit our knees, or climb a tree. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold now is the favorable time and now is the day of salvation. What are you waiting for? We may never see tomorrow and on that day that tomorrow never comes again, it will be too late!
Prayer
I pray Lord that you help us to see the light and lay down our sins and worldly desires to serve you with a whole heart. In Jesus name, Amen
Thoughts:
2 Corinthians 16-18 – “For we are the temple of the living God, he said I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing. Then I will welcome you and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me says the Lord almighty.” To me that says do right, live by example, be proud of your faith. Don’t let man waiver you and God will honor that just like He did for Zacchaeus!
No comments:
Post a Comment