Thursday, June 23, 2022

Luke 19:1

Luke 19:1 says, And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jerico.  We, as followers of Christ, are on our way to heaven, but we will pass through many places on our way and we must be sharing the gospel while we are going.  Verse two adds, And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  There was a rich publcan named Zacchaeus there in Jerico.  He was most likely a Jew and was the chief publican, which meant he had others serving under him.  No matter how powerful, or even how corrupt people may be today, Jesus will still receive them if they come to Him by faith.   Verse three states, And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus, but since he was short and the crowd was large, he couldn't see Him.  There may be obstacles between Jesus and us today, but hopefully it will not be those who are followers of Christ.  Verse four adds, And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus, so He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up in a sycomore tree that Jesus would be passing by.  We should not let any obstacle stand between Jesus and us.  Verse five declares, And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.  There may have been a crowd, but Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was and where he was.  Jesus will never overlook anyone who seeks Him, no matter how many people may be around that person.  Jesus told Zacharias to hurry down from the sycamore tree, because Jesus was going to abide at his house.  When we come to Jesus, we need to do so quickly,  and when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us.  Verse six adds, And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  Zacchaeus made haste to come down and then he received Jesus joyfully.  Wherever are when we meet Jesus, we need to leave everything behind and joyfully receive Him.  Verse seven says, And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  Those around Jesus murmured about Jesus going to be with a sinner.  This is who Jesus came for, and we are all sinners.  As Christians, we certainly do not need complain when sinners come to Jesus.  Verse eight adds, And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.   There was a change in Zacchaeus.  He promised to give half of his riches to the poor and to return to any he had taken anything from falsely fourfold.   When we come to Jesus and put our faith in Him, we must be changed from the sinner that we have were.  If we have dealt with people dishonesty before, we should do all that we can to make things right, and money can no loger be our motivator.  Verse nine states, And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  Jesus told Zacchaeus that salvation had come to his house that day because he had accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord.  As soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, salvation comes to us immediately.  Verse ten adds, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus said He came to seek and save those who were lost, and this never has nor ever will change.  

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