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All of us at sometime have taken advice on medical issues from a friend or a loved one before seeking a doctor's advice. Zacchaeus, a man short in stature, was in a similar situation but in a different way. He was disliked by all because he worked as a tax-collector for the Roman Empire. He was a cheat, who helped himself to most of the funds he collected making him a rich man, but with all of his riches, he possessed an emptiness in his heart, he had a great desire to see Jesus. His life changed when he met Jesus.
a) Jesus was the one searching for him- He called him by his name. God knows each of us by name; when we seek the Lord he also seeks after us.
Isaiah 55: says, "seek ye the Lord while ye may be found". God is not playing hide and seek with us, He is constantly reaching down to us, because He came to seek and save that which is lost. Jesus went with a purpose to save a man. In religion man is looking for God, but in Christianity, God is looking for humankind. He knows where we are in the past, present and the future. God makes the impossible possible.
b) Zacchaeus realized that Jesus could transform his life: In verse 5, Jesus asked him to come down, knowing full well that Zacchaeus was a lonely man, feeling like an out-cast, because of his job he had no friends. Jesus is a friend to all, so He invited himself to Zacchaeus' home for dinner. Jesus made friends of out-casts and embraced the loveless. God today is still changing lives if only we would open our hearts and let Him. He came to seek out those who need salvation and deliverance. He said to Zacchaeus today salvation is come to your house. He calls us to come to Him in repentance.
THOUGHT
Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. He forgives and restores
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