Jesus And Zacchaeus

Jesus has entered Jericho in transit. Luke 19: 1, clearly states, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. It is while Jesus is on His way to another place, that He stops to call down a wealthy man, who has come out of curiosity. I remember the saying parents and other adults used to tell us as children, to keep us in line. “Curiosity killed the cat.” Well, curiosity certainly did not kill this rich ‘cat’. It was because of his curiosity to see the Man Jesus, that he exposed himself to Jesus.

Curiosity is still the motivation, the drive, the spirit that sends people to go and see Jesus. Note carefully, all these people really want, is to see for themselves, what they have heard. But who are these people? They are the Zacchaeus’ of the world. They are characterized under:

The People whom Jesus Calls

Work: He is not just a tax collector, but a chief tax collector. In other words, he is a leader, a boss, a ‘first’ officer if you like. He comes first in terms of position in his field of work.

Wealth: He is not just rich, but he is wealthy. This is a man who has got where he is without ever thinking of Jesus, or asking for His help. He is living a life free from poverty without Jesus. He is not an Abram or Solomon, who claim wealth at the hands of God. But he is full of wealth.

Zacchaeus is the perfect picture of the people Jesus still calls to come on down immediately from their curious, on the fence positions. Are you a Zacchaeus? People are following Jesus on this in transit road of life. Some are disciples; many are followers; and still there are His enemies. You are none of these but you are present in your place of vantage, because of sheer curiosity. Jesus stops His travelling to recognize you and publicly calls you by name, to come on down right now. The curious are still recognized, embraced, accepted, called, and helped by Jesus.

Are you here out of curiosity? Jesus will Reach you now.

The Places At Which Jesus Stays

Jesus does not just call Zacchaeus to come on down from his curiosity perch and have an “Are you saved” talk with him. He does not ask Zacchaeus to give his life to Christ or any of that good, religious stuff. All Jesus does is to invite Himself to this wealthy man’s house. Please come down from where you are Zacchaeus, because I need a place to stay today and I will like to stay with you. Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. Luke 19: 5b.

Who is Jesus? He is the Divine, Son of the Father who has every power at His disposal. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Yet He is the Son of Man, the human Jesus, who is neither ashamed nor afraid to ask for help of the most outcast of society. One day, when He is very thirsty and tired, He asks a Samaritan woman to give Him water in her container. This action is sacrilege and taboo even, for any Jew, whether good or bad. While in Jericho, He wants a place to stay and He makes arrangements with a tax collector, of all people, not to find a place for Him, but to stay in his place. This too is taboo for such a place is not where a true Jew will be caught dead. This is the place of a sinner, and it is to be shunned.

Your heart is the most sinful place, yet Jesus has said that He wants to stay there. He does not tell you to clean up your act, so that He can come in. He does not tell you to throw away all your nasty, wicked, evil things, so that He can be your guest. He calls you and will travel with you to your place and as it is. You had no idea that Jesus was going to want to come to your place today. Your place is unprepared for Jesus.

The unprepared place is still targeted, entered, appreciated, chosen and held by Jesus.  Is your house not prepared for Jesus?  Jesus will Teach you now.