Keep on seeking

Luke 19-:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.

2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “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!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

It started with a desire. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but why?

Was it just because Jesus was famous, or was it that innate desire we all have to know our Creator? Zacchaeus chose to go above and beyond by climbing a tree to get a better view. He went seeking after Jesus with his whole heart.

The Bible says “Seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and soul.” We should be just as eager as Zacchaeus was; our reaction should be “Yes, Lord, I am willing to do whatever it takes to see You.”

We all will have to stand before Jesus at some point.

During our time on earth, we have a unique opportunity to humble ourselves before God. At the same time, we should be excited to meet Jesus, just like Zacchaeus was.

He climbed quickly down the tree and met Jesus with great joy. Imagine, standing before “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Simply standing in Jesus’ presence was enough for Zacchaeus to realize he needed salvation.

He had cheated people, he was selfish, and he worshipped money; then Jesus transformed him from a taker to a giver.

Zacchaeus chose to give back to the poor and to pay his debts back fourfold. What a power shift!

Jesus changed Zacchaeus’ heart from being greedy to giving.

One of the biggest ways to express love is to give. God is love and we are made in God’s image. By that reasoning, we are made to give, to love.

The Son of Man has come to seek, and save those who are lost. Jesus wants to come into us; into our lives, our hearts, and our homes.

We need to stand boldly before the Lord and give Him our full attention. We will be changed into givers when we give Him our lives.

When we submit to Him, Jesus will pour His abundant and eternal life into us.