There is one in particular that children just seem to love listening too, and that's the story
of Zacchaeus. Grown-ups sometimes just seem to pass over these stories, thinking that
they are just for children...but they would not have been included in the Bible unless God
wanted us to learn from them.
We don't know a lot about Zacchaeus. We do know that he was a very important man, he
held a superior position in his town, he was chief among the publicans. We are also told
that he was very rich. But what he is most known for, is being a man of very small stature.
We do know that the publicans were best known for being tax collectors. Publicans worked
under a person called the Magister, or "Master Collector" who lived in Rome. Publicans
also had the position of being the public contractor, often being the ones supplying the
Roman legions and military what they needed. They managed the collection of the port
duties and were in charge of the Roman public building projects. They had a reputation
of being dishonest in their dealing, therefore were not respected or liked. When Jesus was
accused of being friends with the publicans and sinners, it was meant as an insult, for no
one wanted to be associated with them.
We find that Zacchaeus however had a desire to see Jesus. He had heard that Jesus was
going to be passing by. I'm sure that he had heard the stories going around about the
miracles that Jesus was doing. There must have been must talk about Jesus coming,
excitement was building and the crowds were starting to gather, but we find that Zacchaeus
was having problems.
Luke 19: 3 & 4 "And he (Zacchaeus) sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not
for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up
into a sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way."
Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus. Zacchaeus was not going to be stopped in his
mission to see Jesus. At this point he just wanted to catch a glimpse of him, he had
no idea that Jesus was coming that way just for him!
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and
said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for to day I must abide
at thy house."
Jesus knew that Zacchaeus was going to be in that sycamore tree that day. The Savior
looked up into the eyes of a searching soul. When I look back at the night I was saved,
I didn't know I was going to personally meet the Savior that night, but Jesus came just
for me. It says in Luke 19:6 that "He made haste, and came down, and received him
joyfully." Zacchaeus got saved that day. He went up that tree for just a glimpse, but
came down a changed man, having met the Savior.
Salvation is a personal thing. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "And ye shall seek me, and find
me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Zacchaeus went up into that
sycamore tree with a seeking heart, and Jesus met him there.
Have you had the sycamore tree experience...have you met the Savior? Jesus went out
of His way many times to meet people that needed Him. He met the woman of Samaria
at the well; He went by the Sea of Galilee to meet Peter and Andrew when they were
fishing; He went to Matthews place of work (he was a tax collector!); He went to the
Country of the Gadarenes and met the man who was possessed with an unclean spirit.
These people all met Jesus in different ways, but all came away from the experience
the same...with a new life in Christ.
Salvation is for all.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good and
sinneth not."
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:"
There were witnesses that day when Zacchaeus came down from the tree. There will
always be those who find fault.
Luke 19:7 "And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone
to be guest with a man that is a sinner."
These people had followed Jesus, listened to Him teach, yet still did not understand why
He had come to earth. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost."
Jesus is still seeking those who are lost, and we are told that there is joy in Heaven
when a lost soul receives the free gift of salvation. Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto
you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
The angels rejoiced the day Zacchaeus came down from the tree; they rejoiced when
the lady at the well got saved; when Peter, Andrew and Matthew left all and followed
Christ; there was rejoicing the day the man possessed with the devils got delivered.
Have you been the cause of rejoicing in Heaven?
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved."
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
Jesus is passing by today. Do more then just catch of glimpse of Him; come down from
your self-made tree, where you are hiding in pride, self-sufficiency, fear, doubt and meet
the Savior...He's waiting just for you!
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart,
Why don't you let Him come in?
There's nothing in this world to keep you apart,
What is your answer to Him?
If you'll take one step toward the Savior my friend,
You'll find His arms open wide;
Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end,
Deep in your heart He'll abide.
Time, after time, He has waited before,
And now He is waiting again
To see if you're willing to open the door,
O how He wants to come in.
Ralph Carmichael
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