Come and get it! We have all heard that call for dinner, haven’t we? Depending on what we are doing or what is for dinner, our response can sometimes be delayed or avoidance. If we have recently had a sandwich, we aren’t that hungry and we are slow to respond, even disinterested. If we call a friend and find out they are having a more preferable meal or want fast food instead, we ask to eat there. If we haven’t eaten a thing since breakfast, we rush to respond to the call for dinner.
We have similar responses to the call to come to Jesus. Sometimes we have filled up on something else, and so, we don’t see the urgency. Sometimes we shop around and find something we think is better than Jesus. But when we fill our hearts with Jesus, we know nothing else comes even close. Do we hear His call? Do we come when He calls? We must all come to Jesus!
Take a look at how one man came when Jesus called him in Luke 19. Here are the quick facts about Zacchaeus. He was:
Short
Wealthy
A tax collector
The chief tax collector
His position as the chief tax collector is important to this account. Tax collectors were hated because it reminded the Jews they were not free and because tax collectors often took more than required and pocketed the difference. The Pharisees and religious rule makers looked down upon Zacchaeus as the worst of sinners.
Here are 3 stages to Zacchaeus’ pursuit of Jesus.
1. Curious
Luke 19:1-4. Zacchaeus was in Jericho. Jericho was the beginning of Roman territory and a prime tax collection spot. Jesus was in Jericho on his way to Jerusalem where he would celebrate the last supper with his disciples.
Zacchaeus (and the crowds of people) wanted to see Jesus, but more specifically Zacchaeus the “chief tax collector” wanted to see. He wanted to see what Jesus would do! Would he preach about His kingdom? Heal the sick? Was this Jesus the real deal? He was curious.
Zacchaeus' curiosity led him to do something a little extreme. He climbed a tree for a better view. He did what it took to see Jesus. Even as the church (those who do have a saving grace relationship with Jesus), we need to do what it takes to see Jesus.
What it takes to stop your pursuit of Jesus defines the depth of relationship you have with Him.
Is it peer pressure that stops you? Is it occupational pressure that could affect your finances that stops you? Is it a personal comfort zone that stops you? Is it fear over sickness that stops you? The disciples went from fearful (Christ’s arrest) to courageous (Christ’s resurrection). They got to a point when they were longer confused. After Christ’s resurrection, they then understood what Jesus had done and that He was indeed the Messiah. From that point on, nothing else mattered to them…even to the point of their martyrdom.
Whatever matters more than our relationship with Jesus is what will lead us away from Jesus. Are we more curious about Jesus than we are curious about anything else?
2. Called
Luke 19:5-7. Consider the call that Zacchaeus heard from Jesus.
The real root of change. Jesus called him even though he was a rotten sinner. Coming to Jesus is what changed Zacchaeus. We have a lot of ideas as to how to change our lives for the better, but nothing changes me for the better more than Jesus.
The unusual response. Zacchaeus came when Jesus called him. Jesus was and is that amazing that the wealthy chief tax collector comes when called. Jesus is the attraction!
The disapproval. We don't know Zacchaeus' thought as he went with Jesus, but we do know the crowd's thoughts! It is interesting to note that from that statement it seems the Pharisees did not consider themselves “sinners.” Second, the Pharisees considered themselves judge and jury of Jesus’ choice and Zacchaeus’ past wrongs. They did not approve of this choice or of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:7). This sounds like the Pharisees as described in scripture, but it also sounds like too many believers in the modern-day church, as well. The idea of condemning the sin of others with a swift strike while missing the spiritual needs of our own hearts as we gossip with slanderous words to all who will listen. We must turn from this! The crowd’s approval of our choices is not what we should seek and position of judge and jury is not where we should stand. Seek the Lord’s approval and never take the position of judge from Him!
The amazing connection. Zacchaeus would not be allowed to worship or be a part of the synagogue, but Jesus is going to his house!! Rom. 3:23 includes the Pharisees and us. All sin separates us from God. None of us would have deserved for the Lord to call us and come to our home — any more than Zacchaeus deserved this blessing.
If we are not careful, we can embrace the same mindset as the Pharisees and think that others are the ones that sin and that they are the wicked sinners. We too can believe we are somehow worthy and have earned/deserved God’s favor and blessing. Even the church still needs to come and follow Jesus!
3. Converted
His conversion was clear. Zacchaeus was different.
His conversion was public. In front of the crowd and Jesus, Zacchaeus announced his choices. He showed no desire to hide anything. He could only see this as great news. This was evidence of biblical humility and a genuine change of heart.
His conversion showed repentance. Zacchaeus gave back half his wealth to the poor and made right with those he cheated by giving them 4 times what he stole. II Cor. 5:17.
His conversion was from the inside out. In other words, Zacchaeus’ choices came from a change of heart before they were ever seen or heard by those around him. The heart affects lasting, transformational change. Ps. 51:10 (clean heart); 119:11 (Word filled heart); Prov. 4:23 (guarded heart); 17:22 (cheerful heart); Rom. 12:2 (a renewed mind affects longings of the heart).
Have you ever watched the incredible journey of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly? The Caterpillar is homely and greedy, but then transforms into the beautiful new creation called the butterfly. The butterfly ends up not resembling the caterpillar at all. Take a look: educational video here…time lapse video here.
The journey of the church is similar. We are greedy and covered in the muck of sin when we come to Jesus; however, once we learn and receive the gospel, we begin a journey that totally transforms us into something beautiful…something that takes on a clearer reflection of Jesus as times passes.
Have you ever considered the difference the right shoes make? I once went canvassing to distribute Vacation Bible School fliers in brand new dress shoes. Big mistake. I earned blisters the size of silver dollars on my heels! It was a painful lesson that lasted the next 10 days.
Please do not miss this truth. The difference Jesus makes in any human being’s life is far greater than any other change known to man! It is not the change of poverty to monetary wealth, sickness to perfect health, or trials to comfort. Jesus is something even greater than these. Jesus brings the change of fear to peace, the change of envy to satisfaction, the change of hate/anger/bitterness to love/forgiveness, and the change of misery to amazing joy.
1. The Lord will not reject the one who comes to Him (Ps. 86:5; Matt. 11:28; I John 1:9). So, what are you waiting for? Turn to Jesus today.
2. We all need to make the choice Zacchaeus made – go to Christ when He calls. Yes, Zacchaeus made this choice as an unforgiven sinner. Yes, everyone needs to come to Christ to be granted forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven. Click here to find out more about the forgiveness of your sins and heaven.
3. A Christian (one who has personally accepted God’s gift of salvation) must also make a daily choice of following God when He calls. He calls us to follow Him in all our daily life choices. For example, Jesus calls us to follow Him in our marriage journey (Eph. 5:22-33), in our raising children journey (Eph. 6:1-4), in our private life journey (Col. 3:1-15; Phil. 4:8), in our life goals journey (Rom. 12:1-2). This deepens our relationship with the Savior of the world! We must never stop following Christ when He calls.
There is no child, no parent, no sibling, no grandparent that cannot be totally transformed by the person of Jesus Christ. This is what every person at Grace Baptist Church and every person around the world needs today! May God do this powerful work of transforming lives over and over again.