to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10
Many people wondered why Jesus wanted
to stay at Zaccheus' home or eat with this
tax collector.
Zaccheus was rich. He was hated by most
people because he was a tax collector. It
was common that these men took personal
advantage of their position. They were agents
of Rome and enemies of the people.
Zaccheus showed an eagerness to see Jesus
when He came by Jericho. Being small in
size, he had climbed up into a sycamore tree
just to see Jesus.
When Jesus saw his interest, He called out,
"Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down;
for to day I must abide at thy house." [vs 5].
Some grumbled that Jesus had "gone to be
guest with a man that is a sinner." [vs 7].
But Jesus had come to bring salvation and
open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven.
After being with Jesus, Zaccheus' life changed
forever. Instead of stealing, he gave to the
poor, even giving back four times as much
to anyone he had taken from.
At the end of His stay, Jesus could say, "This
day is salvation come to this house," [vs 9].
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost." [vs 10]. Jesus'
ministry continues today, with all who will
continue to seek and to save the lost.
