For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10 ESV
This verse, so central to the Gospel of Luke, tucks up the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus. Let’s read the narrative as written in the New Living Translation:
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him 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.But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”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.”
Lost: perhaps not geographically, but certainly morally and spiritually. Zacchaeus was fighting a losing battle with deceit and greed. His soul was hungry for something more than money and possessions. He was hungry for purpose, meaning, and acceptance. He thought he could find this through a lucrative job, a concerted effort to improve his assets and financial welfare, and security as a businessman hired by the Roman Government. Even his name was a contradiction. Far from being ‘pure’ or ‘innocent,’ Zacchaeus was extorting money from his own people by collecting taxes that far exceeded those required by the Roman government. Though wealthy and successful, deep down Zacchaeus was a lost soul. He was seeking for more, seeking for something or someone who could assuage his guilt, appease his culpability, and offer meaning to his life.
Their encounter wasn’t mere chance. Unknown to the disciples and the crowd pressing around him, Jesus had a divine appointment with Zacchaeus. Sent by His Father, He made a point to seek out this lost soul. I love verse 5: “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’” Jesus knew where to find him. Jesus knew his name. Jesus knew the hunger and thirst within this man’s soul.
That’s why Jesus came. He came to seek out the Zacchaeuses of this world – those who realize there is more to life than satisfying self – and to offer them eternal salvation. Do you know Jesus? I can assure you He knows you. He knows your name. He knows your heart. He knows your need. But He won’t force you to accept His gift of salvation. It’s up to you to come on down out of that tree and invite Him into your life.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for coming to our world to seek and save the lost. I am so thankful that there is no place where you won’t find us, there is no sin too great to pardon. You know everything about me and yet you still loved me enough to die for me. Today, and henceforth, I invite you to abide with me and in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought: “No one – no matter how seemingly unworthy someone might seem to us – is beyond the reach of the grace of Jesus.” Paul Tripp