Zacchaeus

 I was thinking about Zacchaeus this morning and what the Word says about him in Luke 19:1-10.  It says that he was a short man, a chief tax collector and he was rich.  It also says that he wanted to see who Jesus was.  The Word goes on to say that because of the crowd he climbed a tree since He was short in stature.   What got my attention was that even though there was a large crowd there even this little man was important to Jesus.

This reminds me of what God said to Samuel when he was told to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king because of King Saul’s disobedience.  It is in 1^st Samuel 16:7.  It was when Samuel was going to anoint Eliab, David’s brother, he thought he was the one because of his appearance.  Verse 7 says, “But the lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him; for the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.’”  Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.  The Lord knew that Zacchaeus had a real interest in whom Jesus was and was willing to climb a tree to see him. 

Another thing I see in this story about Zacchaeus was that he was called a sinner.  It is a shame how self-righteous people see everyone else’s sin but not their own.  “Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.”  This was a child of Abraham and he needed a Savior just like we all do.  The difference was that Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner and it seemed that the other people thought they were righteous and had no need to be forgiven.  They were following Him for the miracles He had done and not for who He was and not for their desperate need.  

Also Romans 2:4-11 says, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God.”

Salvation had come to Zacchaeus’s house because he had repented and was even willing to make restitution for his sins. The Lord gives us the desires of our hearts at times and Zacchaeus showed a great desire to see Jesus and the Lord honored that desire.  Zacchaeus not only wanted to see Jesus but he wanted to fellowship with Him.  

“Jesus said you will find Me when you seek me with all your heart.”  What about you, are you seeking Him with all your heart or do you follow Him for what He may do for you?  If you are just going with the flow, just trying to get by, you can never please Him that way.  We are close to the New Year, why don’t you commit to press in and seek Him like Zacchaeus did. Seek Him with all your heart and you will be totally blessed and the Lord will be pleased with you.  God bless you and have a great day.