If you find certain things in life necessary, you’re in good company because there were moments that even Jesus did things out of necessity. One thing Jesus found necessary was making a home visit to a well-known and very despised man named Zacchaeus. He was the very rich “wee-little” Jewish man who worked for the Romans gathering taxes from his own people and charging them more than they owed and he took extreme advantage of them earning the hatred. You could imagine that he and his family were never welcomed or invited to weddings or any other celebration of the Jews. He was used by the Romans and hated by the Jews, but Jesus still said, “I must stay at your house.” As Jesus walked through the city of Jericho on His way to Jerusalem He spotted Zacchaeus watching from his perched position in a tree. The scriptures says,
“And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that [way.] And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste(hurry) and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:3-5
I think we can imagine the growls and groans coming from those walking and listening to Jesus as He called Zacchaeus to come down. “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that He has gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” V. 7 What did they see? Those with Jesus saw a mistake instead of mercy, but Jesus saw it as necessary, but why? Why not have a quick conversation on the street and head on down the road? Why go to the sinner’s house for fellowship? Jesus said, “I must stay at your house.” Think about it, most likely no one outside of the immediate family had ever stepped foot in Zacchaeus’ house. Everyone knew that just by going there or by any association with Zacchaeus meant you’d be looked down on, questioned about your loyalty to the people, and most likely labeled as a friend of the Romans.
But there’s something you need to see because Jesus saw it. Those walking with Jesus didn’t see what Jesus saw or else they would have kept their mouths closed. Jesus saw a man who was trying to save himself. He saw a very self-centered man willing to be no one’s friend just to save himself. He saw a man who, by his own actions, was a trader to his people and brought shame on his family. I believe Jesus also saw a man who hated himself and wanted a way out and wanted to change.
I can promise you there are so many people today who want to change just like Zacchaeus, but never take advantage of opportunities like he did. Jesus saw it necessary to go to Zacchaeus’ house to show us that no matter who you are, if you seek Him, He will be found by you. Jesus saw it necessary to go to his house to show us in all our best efforts we can’t save ourselves. Ultimately, the necessity was on the part of Zacchaeus, because Jesus was headed up that Jericho road to meet the necessity of the cross.
But there’s more application here because Jesus saw it necessary to go to his house to show us He is never content to have a relationship with us publicly and not have one with us privately. Jesus doesn’t want a church house relationship with you unless He can have a relationship with you in your house. Think about it, real faith in God doesn’t stop outside of our homes, nor are we to confine it to our church house, but real faith always welcomes and invites Christ into the home.
Jesus could have touched Zacchaeus and changed his life right there in the tree or on that street, but Jesus wanted to go to his house to touch and save the whole family. “And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.” V. 9 Those walking with Jesus only saw a rogue rich Jew, but Jesus saw a “son of Abraham” who wanted to changed, but didn’t know how.
When you let God in your house, life changes! When you open the door of your heart and mind and let God in, life changes for the better! I’m not talking about putting up crosses on the walls of your house and placing a Bible on the coffee table, but Jesus wants to come all the way into the house of your heart and life. Let Him in!
If you are reading this and don’t like what you’ve become and the decisions you’ve made in life, let God’s power change you today. “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. “Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and might, The LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:7-8
THIS IS NECESSARY—THAT JESUS COMES INTO YOUR LIFE(HOUSE)!
HERE’S HOW TO LET HIM IN.
COME DOWN FROM WHERE YOU ARE—HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD!
BY FAITH MAKE THIS DECLARATION! “Holy Father, I hear You speaking to me today and I want you to come and change my life. I’m always reminded of the shameful things I’ve done in my life and I don’t like who I’ve become and what I have done. Father, I have tried to change, but I always end up back where I was, so today, I turn everything over to You. I believe You are the only One who can change me. I believe Jesus is the Son of God. I believe Jesus, you came to die on the cross for all my sins. And I believe that You love me and can change me, so I open the door of my life the best I know how and I invite You to come into my life. Forgive me for what I have done and make me who You want me to be. Let what you did for me on the cross take full effect in my life. From this point forward, I will live my life for You and I ask this and receive this gift of eternal life in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
I PRAISE GOD FOR YOU!