Today
Today’s Verse:
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ~Luke 19:5
One of the favorite Bible accounts for both young and old is how Zacchaeus came to Jesus. The salvation of Zacchaeus led to Jesus stating His ministry purpose when He said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” While he is a great lesson on a sinner getting saved, Zacchaeus is also a powerful lesson on the importance of being responsive and seizing the right opportunity when it comes our way.
We see the informed.
“And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.” Jesus was passing through Jericho. A crowd followed Him and news that He was coming through the city spread quickly. Our attention is drawn to one man who wanted to see Jesus: Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector and was very rich. He was shrewd and cunning. I am not saying that I agree with his practices, which were dishonest at times, but I am just emphasizing that he was discerning about events and opportunities that came his way. He was an informed man who made decisive judgment calls that helped him become successful.
We see the initiative.
“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way." Zacchaeus was short in stature but not in ambition. Many of us allow our shortcomings to keep us from doing more, doing something great, or doing something that could be monumental. He ran and climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus. He did not let his shortcomings become an excuse for doing nothing. He exercised initiative in seeing a sycamore tree that he could climb so that he could see Jesus when He passed Zacchaeus' way.
We see the invitation.
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” Jesus looked up and saw him. Jesus sees you wherever you might be perched. He knows your name. He is keenly aware of what is bothering you or burning inside of you. He called out to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree because He wanted to visit him in his home. Jesus gave a clear and compelling invitation. We must recognize the voice of the Lord and the invitation that He makes to us. Jesus said, “To day I must abide at thy house.” The invitation was personal to Zacchaeus. The invitation was pressing to Zacchaeus: to day I must abide at thy house.
We see the immediate.
Zacchaeus responded with haste, came down from the tree, and received Jesus with joy. Salvation should be immediate. "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Service should be immediate. Obedience should be immediate. There are things that God wants us to do today. Tomorrow is too late. There are things we must decide today: tomorrow, it will be a wasted opportunity. God is pleased when we are responsive to His calls. In order for us to be responsive, be informed, exercise initiative, listen for the invitation, and be immediate in your action. If you need to be saved today, respond immediately. If God needs you to act on something, respond immediately.
Have a responsive God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Hebrews 7-10