I’m Coming to Your House Today
This is the fourth of seven posts highlighting lessons we can learn
from a variety of different Bible characters.
[From Luke 19:1-10] It’s a warm day in Jericho; the city is bustling as usual with people traveling through and doing business in town. Zacchaeus is glad that he’s the chief tax collector here, for Jericho is a wealthy city. A very wealthy city. This wealth provides extra revenue for the royal family, and also a fat living for people such as himself.
As the overseer of the town’s tax collection process, he lives extremely well. He’s at the top of a financial pyramid (sort of like modern-day multi-level marketing) with tax collectors who work for him, and he gets a cut of every transaction. The system is corrupt, so he fleeces his own people, who are helpless and have no way to complain or push back.
At least from a financial perspective, life is good for Zacchaeus. But today, Zacchaeus has more than money on his mind. Jesus will be passing through town and Zacchaeus is curious. The word has spread that Jesus heals people of diseases, does miracles, and talks about the kingdom of God. And this Jesus is willing to hang out with all kinds of people, regardless of who they are.
Jesus sounds like a deeply spiritual guy, yet he also sounds very different from the typical religious leader. And that’s a big deal to Zacchaeus.
You see, he isn’t religious, because Judaism has given up on him. He’s viewed as a traitor; a turncoat. He’s more despised than a leper. And yet – despite this treatment – Zacchaeus has not given up on God. So perhaps he wonders: could this Jesus have time for someone like me?
He’s no dummy, though. He runs ahead of the approaching crowd, climbs up into a tree, and sits on a limb to wait.
Waiting for Jesus.
There is a swirl of noise as the crowed starts to buzz. People are talking, children are playing, and the sense of tension and excitement and anticipation grows. It’s Jesus! He’s coming!
And then, unexpectedly, he stops right beneath a tree. Zacchaeus’ tree. Jesus looks up, and gazes into the eyes of this despised tax man. And then he says the most unbelievable thing:
"Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
Zacchaeus can’t believe it. Nobody invites him anywhere; nobody wants to experience his hospitality. The religious leaders shun him. Devout Jews ignore him. Average people hate him. No one (except another tax collector) would willingly come to his home.
Jesus does. He invites himself. He insists on coming to Zacchaeus’ home.
And what happens when Jesus arrives? Zacchaeus tells the Lord that he will give half of his possessions to the poor, and – if he has cheated anyone – he will make restitution at the rate of 4 to 1. (“I cheated you out of a dollar? Then you get four dollars back”)
This is nothing short of incredible. Zacchaeus is so overwhelmed by the acceptance of Jesus that he has an immediate change of heart. He will reduce his own lifestyle, he will divest of much of his conspicuous consumption, and he will deal with tax-paying citizens in a manner that is just.
This is more than just being nice. This is more than just deciding to do good. This is transformation. Is it any wonder that Jesus says, “Today salvation has come to your household?”
Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was accepted by Jesus, he was welcomed by Jesus, and that made all the difference.
Before this moment:
Zacchaeus had power – the power to take money from people – but few friends.
Zacchaeus had monetary security…but no spiritual security.
Zacchaeus clearly had a hole in his heart, and an ache in his soul.
And he was spiritually rescued because Jesus saw him. Jesus made a point of seeing him, despite the huge crowd. Jesus always sees us if we’re curious, or if we’re spiritually hungry.
If we take time to look for Jesus, he will see us.
Are you fearful or anxious that Jesus can’t see you…or won’t see you…in the midst of the noise and distractions of life? Can you allow these words from Jesus to be an invitation for you?
“I must dine at your house today”.
Jesus knows we are sinners, yet he invites us to welcome him into our homes and our hearts and our lives. And when we do, he freely welcomes us into his kingdom of love.
Jesus saw Zacchaeus; Jesus sees you.
Let me pray for you. Dear Jesus, we are sinners, in need of grace, just like Zacchaeus. Thank you for seeing him. For expressing your interest in him. For wanting to be with him, in his home. And thank you that when we welcome you, the gift of salvation can come to us…just as it did for Zacchaeus.
At least from a financial perspective, life is good for Zacchaeus. But today, Zacchaeus has more than money on his mind. Jesus will be passing through town and Zacchaeus is curious. The word has spread that Jesus heals people of diseases, does miracles, and talks about the kingdom of God. And this Jesus is willing to hang out with all kinds of people, regardless of who they are.
Jesus sounds like a deeply spiritual guy, yet he also sounds very different from the typical religious leader. And that’s a big deal to Zacchaeus.
You see, he isn’t religious, because Judaism has given up on him. He’s viewed as a traitor; a turncoat. He’s more despised than a leper. And yet – despite this treatment – Zacchaeus has not given up on God. So perhaps he wonders: could this Jesus have time for someone like me?
So Zacchaeus makes time for Jesus. But how to see him? After all, he’s a short man and the crowds that are gathering are growing larger…and larger…and larger. There’s no way he will be able to see over people’s heads and watch Jesus pass by.
He’s no dummy, though. He runs ahead of the approaching crowd, climbs up into a tree, and sits on a limb to wait.
Waiting for Jesus.
There is a swirl of noise as the crowed starts to buzz. People are talking, children are playing, and the sense of tension and excitement and anticipation grows. It’s Jesus! He’s coming!
And then, unexpectedly, he stops right beneath a tree. Zacchaeus’ tree. Jesus looks up, and gazes into the eyes of this despised tax man. And then he says the most unbelievable thing:
"Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
Zacchaeus can’t believe it. Nobody invites him anywhere; nobody wants to experience his hospitality. The religious leaders shun him. Devout Jews ignore him. Average people hate him. No one (except another tax collector) would willingly come to his home.
Jesus does. He invites himself. He insists on coming to Zacchaeus’ home.
And what happens when Jesus arrives? Zacchaeus tells the Lord that he will give half of his possessions to the poor, and – if he has cheated anyone – he will make restitution at the rate of 4 to 1. (“I cheated you out of a dollar? Then you get four dollars back”)
This is nothing short of incredible. Zacchaeus is so overwhelmed by the acceptance of Jesus that he has an immediate change of heart. He will reduce his own lifestyle, he will divest of much of his conspicuous consumption, and he will deal with tax-paying citizens in a manner that is just.
This is more than just being nice. This is more than just deciding to do good. This is transformation. Is it any wonder that Jesus says, “Today salvation has come to your household?”
Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was accepted by Jesus, he was welcomed by Jesus, and that made all the difference.
Before this moment:
Zacchaeus had power – the power to take money from people – but few friends.
Zacchaeus had monetary security…but no spiritual security.
Zacchaeus clearly had a hole in his heart, and an ache in his soul.
And he was spiritually rescued because Jesus saw him. Jesus made a point of seeing him, despite the huge crowd. Jesus always sees us if we’re curious, or if we’re spiritually hungry.
If we take time to look for Jesus, he will see us.
Are you fearful or anxious that Jesus can’t see you…or won’t see you…in the midst of the noise and distractions of life? Can you allow these words from Jesus to be an invitation for you?
“I must dine at your house today”.
Jesus knows we are sinners, yet he invites us to welcome him into our homes and our hearts and our lives. And when we do, he freely welcomes us into his kingdom of love.
Jesus saw Zacchaeus; Jesus sees you.
Let me pray for you. Dear Jesus, we are sinners, in need of grace, just like Zacchaeus. Thank you for seeing him. For expressing your interest in him. For wanting to be with him, in his home. And thank you that when we welcome you, the gift of salvation can come to us…just as it did for Zacchaeus.
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