Luke 19:2-3 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
There are MANY lessons to be learned from the account of Zacchaeus. Though he was wealthy, he was VERY unhappy one and felt a need for an encounter with Jesus. He was a tax collector who made extra money by over-taxing innocent people. He probably was very much hated by the people. I can bet that this rich man (Zaccheus) had no peace. Beloved, if you don’t have Jesus, YOU CAN’T HAVE PEACE. Zaccheus most likely was always looking over his shoulders to see if someone was trying to harm him. All the money he swindled from people obviously did not bring him happiness or peace. The most important lesson here is that Zacchaeus realized a need for an encounter with Jesus. He was so desperate for Jesus that he climbed up a tree so that he could get a better view of Jesus.
Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Beloved, God sees your heart. If you genuinely long for him (his word, his will, his ways, etc) he will fill you with more than enough. He is El-Shaddai (more than enough). The bible says “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The bible also says “draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). Jesus, who knew how much Zacchaeus longed for him, told him to come down quickly because he would pay him a visit at his home!
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 today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
When God sees that you genuinely long for him, you become a V.I.P. in his sight no matter what you may have done in the past. With God, old things are passed away and all things are become new. The bible says “ALL” who come to God, He will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). The blood of Jesus cleanses from ALL sins!!!
Jesus received Zacchaeus with open arms regardless of his past (and regardless of what people would say or think). Friends, the love that Jesus showed Zacchaeus made him to repent and make restitutions! He vowed to return everyone’s money to them in multiplefold (Luke 19:8). The people murmured and said Jesus was visiting a sinner (Luke 19:7) but Jesus answered those people by saying he came for the lost (Luke 19:10). Beloved, let him that is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). We need to remove the log in our own eyes before we talk about the speck in our brother’s eyes (Matthew 7:3).
Beloved, let him that think he standeth take heed lest he falls (1 Cor. 10:12). We may be saved, sanctified, spirit-filled, highly-committed, and hopefully heaven bound. GREAT!!! We must not look down on anyone because no matter what level they are today, they are still the “Lazarus, whom Jesus loves”. And a day is coming soon when Jesus will say concerning them “I go to wake him up!!!
You may be reading this message and think you have messed up so much that there is no hope for you. My word for you today is this: Micah 7:8 – Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me!!! No matter how many times you may have fallen, you will arise again in the mighty name of Jesus and you shall laugh last. The bible says a just man falls seven times and rises up again (Proverbs 24:16). The bible says in psalm 37:23-24 that though a good man falls, he will not be utterly cast down because the Lord uphold him:
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Beloved, the Lord will uphold you in the mighty name of Jesus! Contrary to popular belief, God is a God of MANY chances (not just second chances). If he was a God of only second chances, many of us would have used up both chances by now (myself included). He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy (Psalm 103:8). Do not listen to the lie of the devil that tells people they have messed up so much that God can’t use them again. God says in the bible that ALL who comes to him, he will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). There is great joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Lk. 15:7). Rend your hearts and not your garments (Joel 2:13).God does not desire your burnt offerings but a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:7). The bible asks us that shall we continue in sin and hope grace abounds? GOD FORBID!!! Make up your minds TODAY to arise, shine, for thy light is come (Isaiah 60:1).
I pray in the mighty name of Jesus that we will see everyone the way Jesus sees them and embrace EVERYONE regardless of their differences. Remain blessed in the mighty name of Jesus!
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