We are about to see
a really cool thing happen at the beginning of Luke Chapter 19 Get ready to observe a mustard seed of faith sprout into a root before taking its shape. Zacchaeus was his name, and his soul contained the Faith Mustard Seed. He probably didn’t know that it was even there, until he heard the word that Jesus was coming near. He was the Chief Tax Collector of the region of Jericho; and this notorious rich man found the eye of the needle! This is the perfect representation of the camel who goes through the eye of the needle, that Jesus spoke about in Luke Chapter 18 verse 25. It may have been curiosity that opened up his mind, or it may have been loneliness that opened his heart. Regardless of the reason, His desire to see made Zacchaeus draw in closer to the coming of the Lord. He made it his mission to get a good look at Jesus, so he found an elevated position that would overcome his physical disposition. His small stature did not leave him much hope, he was way too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. It was his heart’s desire to be able to see. Potential faith is what this man had, all beneath a soiled facade. The surprising thing is that when Jesus came by, He looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy, his potential was found. But the people who saw this were highly displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled ferociously. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, then I will give them back four times more!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 Isn’t this story of Zacchaeus and Jesus, the most beautiful thing you have ever heard? Here we see, the Faith Mustard Seed sprouting into a Man of Humility, and my guess is he stopped collected taxes, but instead became a servant to the Lord joyfully collecting souls for God. The announcement of Jesus brought crowds to the road, but this was not enough to keep this sinner away. Although there was doubt, Zacchaeus moved forward in hope. His wonderment drove him into position to get the perfect look out! He was strategic in placing himself by acknowledging his disposition and running ahead. Then he must have waited for Jesus to come, patiently enduring without losing his hope. And when their paths crossed, the most interesting thing happened, Jesus knew his name without even having an introduction. Can you imagine? The Lord knowing you without ever having to be formally introduced? Isn’t God good? It seems that just the act of drawing in close, is actually the process that draws Jesus closer to us! And not only did Jesus know Zacchaeus by name, but He said He must be a guest in his house today! I suppose the house symbolizes our own human hearts, and Jesus represents the Holy Spirit living inside of us. That has to be why Zacchaeus had a heart change, immediately when Jesus called him by name. All that he had done, came straight to his mind; He was totally convicted of the damage he had caused, and his desire was to repent and pay it all back, but not just what he took, he wanted to pay back more. Repentance is the reaction for anyone who has been accepted by Him; and Restoration is the response of a Spirit-filled heart. The story ends when Jesus says, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10 As I sit here soaking up this story, I am completely entranced by its beauty! Every Parable is an edible delight into the heart of Jesus. The Faith Mustard Seed can be found in those who doubt, and the Faith Mustard Seed can be found in those who sell out. A chief tax collector had to be the worst kind of man, he taxed the poor to put money in the pockets of rich men. He served the government of a worldly kingdom that taxed to death the citizen's that lived in them. Yet we see beneath his occupation that his heart is truly good. He did not let the flesh keep him away, rather he focused on his faith and believed that Jesus was coming. He prepared a position that would allow him to see, the miracle worker that was heading to Jerusalem.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2022
|