Luke 19:1-10 TLB
“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.
There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich.
He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” He said. “Quick, come down!
For I must be a guest in your home today.”
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’ Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.
And l, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”
I have so many points to share about Zacchaeus but today I will talk about “the God that sees”.
Zacchaeus did not think that he belonged to Jesus. “He tried to get a look at Jesus but he was too short to see him so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could WATCH from there “ ( Luke 19:4-5). He just wanted a glimpse of Jesus, nothing deep or personal. Maybe because he had accepted that he was a ‘SINNER’ as we see in verse 7, or maybe he thought God had condemned him for being involved in a “Roman tax- collecting business” and that he “had become very rich” ( Luke 19: 2). Inspite of his limitations including his physical stature, Jesus recognised his effort; and when He got to the sycamore tree, He didn’t pass or wave at him, He actually called Zacchaeus’ name. Wooow. God knows every one by name. He asked to be Zacchaeus’ guest and the rest is history.
Today, the Lord who sees is also calling us all by name. He could be using a tract, a radio or TV broadcast, or through social media. Will we respond as Zacchaeus did? He encountered peace, he encountered freedom, he encountered God, and we will too if we respond to His voice.
Let’s pray 🙏
Father thank you that You know me and You call me by my name. I open my heart to You, forgive me for all my wrong choices and be my Lord.
Amen.
Chara-Joy 🌸 