SCRIPTURE
Luke 19:1-10 - 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 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.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
OBSERVATION
Jesus did not come to meet with Zacchaeus and correct his way of living. Jesus came to meet with Zacchaeus to offer eternal life. Jesus wanted salvation to fall on the life of Zacchaeus which ultimately would correct his way of living. The entire account with Zacchaeus gives us a remarkable who, what, where, when, why and how of receiving Jesus. Who does Jesus want to receive him? The lost. What does Jesus want with those who receive him? A relationship. Where does Jesus want to go? Down to Zacchaeus/Us. When does Jesus want you to receive him? Immediately. Why does Jesus want you to receive him? To be with Him for eternity. How does Jesus want you to receive him? Joyfully.
APPLICATION
You would apply this to your life by going through the who, what, where, when, why, and how process of your own life. Zacchaeus had immediate life change when he encountered Jesus. In our lives we should experience immediate life change as well. We should turn our lives over to the father and allow him to change our hearts to follow Him.
PRAYER
Father, my prayer is for the person who is seeking their own agenda and living life for themselves. Let there be an opportunity for Jesus to grab hold of them and turn their eyes upon Jesus. That they would immediately receive Jesus, and understand that you want eternal life with them. Soften our hearts today if we need it, let us be pliable to do your will. In Jesus name, AMEN.