READING: Luke 19-20
I love it when I see something in the Word I had never seen before. I’ve read the story of Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” of children’s song fame, many times. I’ve often thought about his desire to see Jesus — a desire so great that the man of small stature climbed a sycamore tree to make it happen. I knew he was a tax collector, likely a hated man because of his work with the Roman government and his tendency to overcharge taxes to line his own pockets. I remember reading the significance of Jesus’ calling him down from the tree: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5). The Son of God took the initiative to build a relationship with the tax collector, just as He does with us.
What I’ve somehow missed in all my readings is Zacchaeus’ full response to Jesus. I knew, our course, that he gave half of his wealth to the poor, and I knew he restored fourfold anything he had cheated others (Luke 19:8). That dramatic picture is enough to show that the tax collector’s life dramatically changed when he met Jesus. That I knew, but I had missed how quickly Zacchaeus slid down that tree: “So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully” (Luke 19:6).
I wonder why he responded to Jesus so joyfully. Perhaps it was because Zacchaeus had been an outcast, but now someone welcomed him gladly. Maybe no one had ever come to the tax collector’s house unless it were to complain. It might have been simply because Jesus — the One of whom Zacchaeus had heard enough that he did what it took to see him — invited Himself to his house. Or, perhaps it was that Zacchaeus had already placed his faith in Jesus, and he couldn’t believe the opportunity to have the Master in his home. Jesus said, "Hurry," and the tax collector hurried. Regardless of his motive, however, Zacchaeus made haste in getting to Jesus.
Now I must assess whether I so readily come running to Jesus. When I get so busy in life, do I quickly come down from the tree to be with Him? Do I respond so joyfully when Jesus calls me to take a stand or make a move for Him? If Jesus were to invite Himself to my house, would I welcome Him as immediately as Zacchaeus did?
I hope that I would, but the very question forces me to spend more time evaluating my walk with Him. Perhaps it does for you, too.
ACTION STEPS:
- Imagine that Jesus were coming to your house today. If you would need to change anything prior to His arrival, confess that reality to God.
- Pray for someone you know who might be considered an outcast from society.
PRAYER: “Father, make me willing and ready to invite You into my home. I want to run to You like Zacchaeus did.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Luke 21-22
