Jesus Saves!
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
Our verse today was spoken by Jesus. He was on his way to Jerusalem he traveled through Jericho. News about Jesus had indicated his route, so there were many curious people. So many in fact that one man, by the name of Zacchaeus, had a problem. He was too short. So he came upon an unusual plan. Judging by the way Jesus was going, he found a tree that he could climb, so that he could see Jesus.
I wonder if our question today was on his mind. Can I really be saved? The occupation that he had certainly could indicate a “No” answer to the question. His fellow Jews would certainly agree. By becoming a tax collector, Zacchaeus had become a traitor to the Israelites. He was gathering taxes for the occupying force, working against his own people. Luke 19:7 indicates that Jesus’ choice of Zacchaeus was not well received: “When the people saw it, they were all grumbling because he went to the house of a sinner.”
Imagine the surprise that Zacchaeus had when he not only saw Jesus, but Jesus stopped and told him he was coming to his house. If becoming wealthy was Zachaeus’ motivation for being a tax collector, he now found a new reason for his wealth. He told Jesus, “Look, Lord, I am going to give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”
The amazing saving love of Jesus filled Zechaeus’s heart. By grace we to can answer our question with Jesus saves!
Lord Jesus, your love for us fills our heart with that blessed assurance that we are saved. Thank you! Amen.