With God the Lost are Found
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost (Luke 19:10)
Hello Saints,
“Lost”: literally destroyed or ruined. What ruins and destroys a man whose name means “pure and innocent”? Enter Zaccheus – a rich tax collector, working for the Roman government overcharging his own Jewish people exorbitant taxes in order to line his own pockets with his prized possession - money! The state of Zaccheus is telling: ‘micron’ in Greek which means short, but also can mean insignificant, least and unimportant. When Zaccheus was around, people immediately despised him for he was the “tax man”, who would steal “our hard earned money” to give to the Romans. For that he is reviled and scorned, cursed by his own people. We encounter him in Jericho, that cursed land (Josh. 6:26) that Hiel built against God’s word, which costs Hiel the death of his oldest and youngest sons (1Kings 16:34). Greed, the desire for riches, characterize Zaccheus. Jesus just finished teaching that being rich is a stumbling block to receiving salvation (Luke 18:18-30). Here in Luke 19, we are shown that if a man, a rich sinner (Luke 19:7) is eager to see Jesus, chosen to encounter Jesus, and receives the offer to dine with Jesus, salvation is indeed possible…even for those trapped in the temptation of riches, who have made Mammon their god. Zaccheus is a ‘son of Abraham’, the chosen people of God, who lost his way because of the desire for money. As the apostle Paul says, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1Tim. 6:10). Zaccheus wandered, lured by his lusts; he is grief stricken by what his sin has brought upon him – rejected by his own people. His sinful desires took away what we all desire – fellowship with God and people – the love of the Father and a loving community in which to grow and serve. His choices have produced a state of lostness, living under the curse of sin.
In walks a loving Savior who notices those of ‘short stature’ prompted by the Spirit of God to ‘see who Jesus was’. Maybe Holy Spirit is whispering in Zaccheus’ ear, “Be a little child, climb the tree (Luke 18:17) - Don’t let the crowd who judges you stop you from getting to Jesus! Persevere, press on and choose to be seen in the wretched condition of your sin (Luke 18:13), for Jesus has come to seek and save the lost.” He’s not intimidated or put off by your sinfulness, your heart condition, nor your view of yourself. Jesus steps into the ugliest of locations to rescue the most outcast of peoples. The King of kings goes into the cursed lands of Jericho to reach tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1) for it is not the healthy who need the Great Physician, but the sick (Luke 5:28-31) … Oh what a Savior!
Zaccheus gets more than a look at Jesus, he gets a new heart and immediately produces works of true repentance shown in parting with his old god named Mammon, by giving half his wealth to the poor and paying back fourfold to those from whom he stole. Instant transformation! Instant restitution! Instant reconciliation with people who despised him! Oh, the power of the love, and grace and mercy of God to change the heart and destiny of a sinner who repents. What a Gospel! What Good News for those trapped in their sins. Friends, do you still believe in the power of the gospel to save those who are lost, especially in our day of hopelessness and despair? Do you believe it enough to help someone climb a tree to be found by Jesus? Do you believe it enough to invite a sinner to your home to meet Jesus? The least we can do is point a lost one in the right direction, so they too encounter the One who encountered us! Freely you received, now freely give!
peace
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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