For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 NLT
Sometimes we describe our church services as “seeker-sensitive” and refer to people who come as “seekers.” Whenever we choose to respond to the calling of God on our heart to any degree, we do become seekers in a manner. But without question, He is still the primary mover, the initiator, the seeker. That was the way Jesus operated when He was God in the flesh here.
Luke 19 is the account of Jesus on another seeking mission. On this day He had gone to Jericho, and, as always, His eyes were scanning the crowds and His ears were open to the sounds of need and open hearts. He was seeking those who might be ready to respond to Him that day. His eyes looked above the crowd to a place no one would naturally look to see a short man in a tree. Jesus found the object of His search in that moment. “Zacchaeus, come down! Quick! I must be a guest at your house today.”
Jesus knew everything about him – yet He addressed this despised tax collector as a friend and worthy host. Zack was excited and scrambled down the tree to the street in immense joy. Jesus had dinner with him in his home while the people grumbled that Jesus had gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner. What made the rabbi see him anyway?
Then it washed over Zacchaeus in waves of unfamiliar emotion. In a way he could not understand, he realized Jesus had been looking for him. He had been seeking him. And now he was seen. Truly seen without judgment. He was filled with desire to know this Jesus deeply and follow Him. He took Him to his home, shared a meal and had an intimate conversation. The transformation had begun. Before the evening was over, he stood before the Lord and amazed himself by declaring from his heart something he never could have dreamed. “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” One of the things I anticipate when I get to heaven is having a chat with Zack and discovering how his entire life and family changed when Jesus saw him, and he responded by dropping everything else that functioned as “god,” choosing Jesus as Lord. We don’t hear anything else about Zaccheus in the written account, but we know the story is always magnificent when salvation comes to a house!
Jesus sees you too. Climb down out of your tree and allow Jesus and salvation to transform your home and life.
- Thank Jesus for bringing salvation to you and your home!