Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus was spoken of briefly in Luke 9 but its message resounded quite strongly for me. Three points were clear that I felt a connection with.
1) Zachhaeus was a notorious sinner who was sought by Christ-- clearly we had some things in common. Being up on that Sycamore tree to see Jesus, meant he was curious. I was curious, too. Whatever tugged at him to fight the crowds and climb up, it was not because he was first seeking Jesus. It was because Jesus was first seeking him. It says so in John 6:44,“No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” I never actively sought Jesus but He came up to me nonetheless in the most opportune time. Ah, thank You Lord!
2) Jesus came to save the lost--He came for someone like Zaccaheus! Someone like me! Salvation was and is never due to my will but to God's will.
3) When He seeks, it is always personal, intentional and never happenstance nor coincidental.--He called Zacchaeus by his name and in His presence, he experienced personal, specific conviction.This conviction led to his salvation. It wasn't what was taught nor what he learned but what He experienced with whom he was with that changed him--Jesus himself! That fortunate Nov 3 afternoon was the conviction that nailed it for me. The Spirit of God dealt with my soul and I was never the same. It was not enough to just analyze my life and reflect on what I've done wrong. All those things were worthwhile, but they never amount to actually feeling Jesus himself. The change grew and renewal set in because of a beautiful encounter with Jesus!
1) Zachhaeus was a notorious sinner who was sought by Christ-- clearly we had some things in common. Being up on that Sycamore tree to see Jesus, meant he was curious. I was curious, too. Whatever tugged at him to fight the crowds and climb up, it was not because he was first seeking Jesus. It was because Jesus was first seeking him. It says so in John 6:44,“No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” I never actively sought Jesus but He came up to me nonetheless in the most opportune time. Ah, thank You Lord!
2) Jesus came to save the lost--He came for someone like Zaccaheus! Someone like me! Salvation was and is never due to my will but to God's will.
3) When He seeks, it is always personal, intentional and never happenstance nor coincidental.--He called Zacchaeus by his name and in His presence, he experienced personal, specific conviction.This conviction led to his salvation. It wasn't what was taught nor what he learned but what He experienced with whom he was with that changed him--Jesus himself! That fortunate Nov 3 afternoon was the conviction that nailed it for me. The Spirit of God dealt with my soul and I was never the same. It was not enough to just analyze my life and reflect on what I've done wrong. All those things were worthwhile, but they never amount to actually feeling Jesus himself. The change grew and renewal set in because of a beautiful encounter with Jesus!