Zacchaeus Received Salvation
In the City of Jericho, there lived a man called Zacchaeus. He was a rich man and a tax collector. Even though he was rich he enjoyed no peace in his heart because he used unscrupulous means to obtain his wealth. His position and money could not pacify his troubled-spirit. He was very eager to find someone who could help him but he found none. One day, Jesus entered the city. The inhabitants of the whole city came to listen to His words. The sick were healed, the sinners were forgiven and the troubled received peace. Zacchaeus therefore made up his mind to see who Jesus was. But the crowd was big and he was short. He could not see Jesus. Yet he would not give up. He ran before the crowd and climbed up a sycamore tree to get a better view, for Jesus was to pass that way. After a while, Jesus came to him and said, “Zacchaeus, make hast and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So Zacchaeus came down and received Jesus joyfully. Upon arrival, Zacchaeus stood before Jesus and said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.” Zacchaeus has given up his possession but has gained peace in his heart which is far better than his ill-gotten riches and status, for he was saved. You may have status and money but do you have peace in your heart? If not, the salvation that Zacchaeus received can be yours as well.
Zacchaeus wanted to know who Jesus was. If he had not made up his mind to do so he would not have been able to receive the grace of salvation. Because he had this desire, he was saved.
Do you want to see the Lord? If you do not how can you receive salvation?
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector and a rich man. It was hard for a rich man in high position to find Jesus. The Lord said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24). He said this to a certain ruler (Luke 18:18). This ruler wanted eternal life but his riches and status prevented him from following the Lord. But Zacchaeus did not allow his wealth to overcome him. You may be in a very high position, having a lot of money, but do not let such things prevent you from seeing the Lord.
Zacchaeus had to go ahead of the multitude and climb up a sycamore tree to see Jesus. His perseverance eventually enabled him to see the Lord and obtain salvation. Sometimes a person may wish to come to God but he meets with an obstacle. The obstacle may be his parents, his friends and relatives. The Lord Jesus said, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt 7:14). The Lord also said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and men of violence take it by force” (Matt 11:12).
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make hast and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’” (5,6). Here, we see that Zacchaeus wanted to receive the Lord to his house and then into his heart. As such, the salvation of God came to his house.
Today, there are those who would try very hard to come before God but when the Lord Jesus says, “I must stay at you house today” they withdraw themselves. They dare not receive the Lord or refuse to accept Him. How pitiful! Zacchaeus did not reject Jesus. The Bible says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (Jas 4:8).
“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (verse 8). Zacchaeus truly repented before the Lord, The Lord likes this kind of repentance and so Zacchaeus was saved.
Do you have peace of mind? If not, it is because of your sins in you. It is sins that make you fear. But, remember, Jesus is the friend of sinners. He has come to save sinners who repent. You need to truly repent before Him. He will forgive all your sins and wash away all your unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).
We must say, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). If we can do this then God will surely accept us. For God will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Therefore, be like Zacchaeus. Bring all our sins before the Lord and beseech Him for mercy and forgiveness. Then the Lord will also say to you, “Salvation comes to your house today, for you are also the children of God.”.