Luke 19:5-9 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “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.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus is travelling through southern Palestine on his last trip to Jerusalem. As he journeys, Jesus makes the most of every opportunity to do ministry. Zacchaeus was one of the last people Jesus met before his death. Their encounter shows how Jesus can transform a person from the inside out and give them a clean fresh start, with no big show at all.
In his heart, the Holy spirit was already working, he was not happy with his life, but had no idea how to change. One thing he knew, was that he had to see Jesus today at any cost. So despite being loathed by everybody, being short, probably shy, he still went out and climbed into a tree - almost hiding - just to see Jesus. Zaccheus was waiting in that tree, hopeful that something will happen today, even though he had no idea what. We must also be hopeful, waiting on the Lord, expecting great things to happen in our lives.
Jesus had an appointment with Zaccheus that day. Jesus knew about his desire to change. When Jesus asked him to come down, he was glad and did not hesitate for a moment (just like the disciples when Jesus called them). Do you hesitate when Jesus calls you? You will miss a great blessing.
Jesus is a master at building relationships and communicating with people. We will never know what Jesus said to him at his house, but it clearly transformed Zaccheus and made him a testament of God's salvation. Can you imagine what a testimony and blessing he was going into the community in the days after, changing his mistakes, telling everybody of his encounter with Jesus?
Have you experienced the saving power of Jesus in your life? How can you be a witness to Jesus' transforming power in your life? Don't let an encounter with God leave you untouched!
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