February 20th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
Profile: Zacchaeus’ name means “righteous one”, but this chief supervisor of other tax-collectors was far from living up to his name. He would be the most hated little man in the district, risking being kicked and bruised when he mingled with the crowd. He climbed a tree to see Jesus who was on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus looked up into the tree, called "Zacchaeus" by his name and invited himself into his home. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour and as a consequence willingly gave to the poor and reimbursed four-fold anyone he had stolen from. This was far more than the Law demanded (Exod 22:1,4,7). He was a man lost to God whom Jesus “came to seek and save” (Luke 19:10).
PEOPLE JESUS MET
ZACCHAEUS – Came up Short
ZACCHAEUS – Came up Short
The Son of Man has come to ‘search for those who are lost' and to save them.
Luke 19:10, Twentieth Century New Testament
Luke 19:10, Twentieth Century New Testament
Profile: Zacchaeus’ name means “righteous one”, but this chief supervisor of other tax-collectors was far from living up to his name. He would be the most hated little man in the district, risking being kicked and bruised when he mingled with the crowd. He climbed a tree to see Jesus who was on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus looked up into the tree, called "Zacchaeus" by his name and invited himself into his home. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour and as a consequence willingly gave to the poor and reimbursed four-fold anyone he had stolen from. This was far more than the Law demanded (Exod 22:1,4,7). He was a man lost to God whom Jesus “came to seek and save” (Luke 19:10).
Lessons:
- In a spiritual sense we are all “too short” for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) No one measures up to God’s high standards. Like Zacchaeus, we are saved because of our response by faith to Christ’s gracious word to us - not because of any good works.
- God first drew him to Jesus (John 6:44). He and we cannot hide from Jesus and he always knows exactly where we are and our name.
- "Zacchaeus, hurry …” the only time Jesus is reported to have used this word. (Luke 19:15) When it comes to our salvation, there is no time to waste. He didn't wait for Zacchaeus to get cleaned up and get his act together.
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Jesus mission: to seek and save the lost.
Jesus mission: to seek and save the lost.
