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Luke

Luke 
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Day 232

Text: Luke 19 : 1-10 "IN SEARCH OF SALVATION"

Day 232 – Luke 19

Text: Luke 19 : 1-10

IN SEARCH OF SALVATION

To what extent would you go in search of salvation? Luke introduces us to a man called Zacchaeus, and his choice to include him into his Gospel is most interesting. Right up to now, we have seen different people coming to Jesus and then stopping short of entering into the Kingdom of God. One of the reasons that stops a person from believing in Jesus was the fear of the possible loss of wealth. Jesus never demanded that the divesting of wealth was a pre-requisite to obtaining salvation, but the fear of the loss of riches never quite goes away.

The study of the conversion of Zacchaeus is interesting for another reason. He was one of the people the Pharisees despised. He was more than just a tax collector. Luke specifically described him as “a chief tax collector” (Luke 19:2). He was also described as “rich”.

Jesus once said to His Disciples that it was very difficult for a rich man to find salvation. However, it was not impossible. God could do the impossible and do a deep work of salvation in his life. Zacchaeus was probably included in Luke’s Gospel to illustrate what Jesus taught the rich young ruler (Cf. Luke 18:18-27).

If you were to examine the life of Zacchaeus, what would you see?

1. He was a Jew and thus he had religion. He knew and believed that there was a God. He knew how to say prayers. He would give attention to religious duties.

2. He was a rich man, and thus was financially secure.

3. He was a chief tax collector, and though he may not have been popular in some circles, he could live with that. One cannot expect to be liked by everyone.

What more could a person ask for? However, Zaccheus knew that there was “something missing” in his life. He had all a person could wish for in this earthly life, but what about his spiritual life? Somehow he felt “empty”.

Zacchaeus obviously had heard about Jesus! He wanted to find out more about Him. We read an interesting excerpt that Zaccheus went out on a limb to see if he could catch a glimpse of Jesus.

“And he sought to see who Jesus was,
but could not because of the crowd,
for he was of short stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree
To see Him, for He was going to pass that way.”
Luke 19:3-4

Let us remember that Zaccheus was not a young lad trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus. He was a full grown man and rich but probably not well liked by people. He had to resort to tree climbing to see Jesus.

Hidden behind all these efforts was a heart that sought salvation. He thought that Jesus might be able to help him, but would He? That was the question he was not able to resolve. He certainly did not expect to have Jesus speak to him!

A WONDERFUL SAVIOUR WHO KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU

Zacchaeus must have been shocked when Jesus stopped at the tree he had climbed. Luke’s description of this incident is well worth reading.

“And when Jesus came to the place,
He looked up and saw him, and said to him,
‘Zaccheus, make haste and come down,
For today I must stay at your house.’ “
Luke 19:5

What does one make of Jesus? Many thoughts must have flashed through his mind. Let us look at some of the possibilities.

1. How did Jesus know that he was up in the sycamore tree?

2. How did He know his name?

3. What authority and power He had when He spoke the way He did!

4. He was not afraid to be associated with him, a chief tax collector!

5. He was actually going to stay at his house for the day!

As may be expected, there was negative feedback. There were detractors. Luke noted their reaction.

“But when they saw it, they all complained, saying,
‘He has gone to be a guest with a man
who is a sinner.’ “
Luke 19:7

EVIDENCE OF TRUE SALVATION

When Jesus spoke to him, Zacchaues was filled with a great sense of joy! At the word of Jesus,

“So he made haste and came down,
and received Him joyfully.”
Luke 19:6

Obviously, Jesus was no ordinary person. Somehow, even as He spoke, a special sense of joy filled his heart. Jesus was coming to his house. He was going to stay with him! There was no mistaking the symbolic meaning of those words! Jesus was a Friend. Could He be the Saviour too!

Then came the words of criticism from the usual and expected source. How would Jesus respond to those cutting words? Yes, the perception in the mind of the people who hated tax collectors was that they were “sinners”. Would Jesus now walk away? He did not! He was totally unperturbed by the unhappy remarks of the crowd! He was going to stay at Zacchaeus’ home as He said!

Zacchaeus knew that he had found his Saviour and with Him salvation! His heart moved him to say, as further evidence of true salvation,

“Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor,
and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation,
I restore fourfold.” Luke 19:8