“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay in your house today.” (Lk. 19:5).

He was scorned by his own people despite his wealth. As chief tax collector, he had become notorious among them as betrayer and a sinner (Lk. 19:3). But on this day, something different attracted our friend Zacchaeus and he couldn’t resist chasing after his curiosity. He wanted to see Jesus. Having heard about the miracles of Jesus and His teachings with authority, Zacchaeus couldn’t hold back his heart’s yearning. Despite his handicap as a short man, he was determined to see Jesus, and so he ran ahead and climbed a Sycamore tree; hoping nobody would see him.

Jesus, however, stopped where he was, and called him by name; “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay in your house today.” (Lk. 19:5). Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus into his house (v.6). The crowd reviled Jesus’ choice of host, and so they muttered, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner” (v.7).

Crowds could be very cruel sometimes. They have unique ways of getting under a person’s skin. But, blessed be God Almighty; Zacchaeus did not give way to their ridicule. He shot right back at the crowd’s jab in a manner that may have sent a hush over them. “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (v.8). What a man!

No soul genuinely receives the grace of God through Jesus and remains the same (2 Cor. 5:17). A transformation takes place and displaces the heart’s tendency towards wickedness.The very presence of Jesus in the life of a person inclines them towards conformity with His nature. Zacchaeus started the day a sinner, but found forgiveness and new life in Jesus. The world didn’t matter to him anymore. Money and possessions lost their appeal and grip over his heart. He easily gave them away in exchange for peace with God in Jesus (Rm. 5:1).To every renewed heart in the mercy and grace of God, heaven resounds with affirmation in Christ. Jesus therefore responded to Zacchaeus, “Today, salvation has come to this house” (9-10).

Today! That’s the key.  Zacchaeus knew the right time and what to do. His height and the crowd were hindrances, but he didn’t allow them to hinder his opportunity. He climbed the sycamore tree, and received more than he bargained for.

Jesus is still seeking the lost soul who seeks rest (Matt. 11:28). He knows your emotional struggles like that of Zacchaeus. He knows you’re checking Him out from afar, hoping no one sees you. He smiles at your feigned “civility”, despite your desperate cry for redemption. It’s a pity you’re in church every Sunday, but hate “this born again nonsense.” Yet, He doesn’t roll back His invitation .He promises to save you when you call on His name (Rm. 10:13).

This is your day.  This is your hour. Will you come?