2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Luke 19:9-10 (NIV)
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Today, I invite you read Luke 19:1-10 and ask Jesus to help you imagine what it was like that day to witness His interaction with a man named Zacchaeus. What stands out to you from this passage of Scripture? I notice that Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus. Zacchaeus was curious and went so far as to run ahead and climb a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus was looking for Zacchaeus. He noticed him there in the tree. When Jesus declared that He was going over to Zacchaeus’ house, He showed His love for Zacchaeus. How? Zacchaeus was cut off from his people, rejected as a traitor since he worked collecting (over-collecting) taxes for the occupying enemy, the Romans.
In His statement under a sycamore-fig tree, Jesus sent shockwaves through the community (see Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home. I can’t imagine how overjoyed Zacchaeus was to have Jesus as a guest in his home. Meanwhile, the people muttered and complained, “He [Jesus] has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” (see Luke 19:7). Jesus was looking for Zacchaeus. Jesus saw past everything. He knew Zacchaeus’ reputation and He loved him. Radically. Publicly. Jesus was seeking after this lost man. To save him for a life with God. And Zacchaeus responded to Jesus, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (see Luke 19:8). Here and now. Not, “Maybe tomorrow.” Not, “Let me think about it this week.” Here and now. “Look, Lord!” Can you picture the smile on Zacchaeus’ face? Perhaps the tears running down his face as he responded to Jesus and made this public declaration. Jesus was looking. Jesus was listening. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.” (see Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus is restored and his identity secure because of Jesus.
This is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. This is who He is and this is what He does. This is how He loves us. This is how He loves those who have yet to respond to Him. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10).
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You that you came to seek and to save the lost. Thank You for loving me and saving me. Help me to see people through Your eyes, to share Your love with them and to join You in Your work of seeking and saving the lost.”
As we pause today with Jesus and pray for the people that He brings to mind, I invite you to reflect on these songs: (see John 3:16-17; 7:37-39)
The Lord bless you!
Pastor Dave Morin
