Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem. This was near the end of His ministry and was the last time that He would pass through Jerusalem.
He passed through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem. Jericho was the city that had been cursed by Joshua. Jesus wasn’t intending to stay in Jericho; He was just passing by. But he stopped. Why? He saw a soul. He saw desperate desire for change.
In Israel, there were three chief tax collectors who collected taxes from the Jewish people for the Romans. They were normally all Romans. How did Zacchaeus become a chief tax collector? This tells you that he was a wicked, money hungry man. He had proved his loyalty to the Jews by abusing his fellow Israelites. He cheated them and stole money from them.
Zacchaeus had been working hard his whole life to make money. But he came to the place in his life where he wanted more than just money. Saving money and finding happiness in money didn’t satisfy him. It was like drinking salty water; it made him more thirsty.
Zacchaeus wasn’t satisfied. He had a desperate desire to change his life.
When we do things our way, we will feel empty and lost. That’s how Zacchaeus felt – completely empty and desperate for something to satisfy his soul.
Zacchaeus wanted to meet Jesus. It wasn’t just because he was curious. He really wanted to see Jesus. He saw the large crowd of people. They were following Jesus because of the miracles He did in healing the blind. They had followed Him for a long way but were following the miracles and not Jesus. Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem so that He could accomplish His assignment. But then He saw Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus’ soul reached out to Jesus and stopped Him on His way.
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How do you meet Jesus?
#1 Have the desire to change your life.
We cannot stop living in sin and having wrong desires without meeting Jesus. We cannot stop Jesus from walking by without having a deep desire to meet Him.
#2 Seek Him
Proverbs 8:17
17 I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
Jesus will come to those who seek Him. Those who seek Him and have a desperate desire to meet Him will be able to stop Jesus as He passes by.
#3 Answer to God’s calling
Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
God wants to come to your house and your heart. God is knocking on your heart and soul; you have to let Him in. If you don’t let Jesus in, you will never be satisfied. You will be miserable. He is knocking. Answer Him. Open your heart.
When God calls us, we need to immediately answer.
#4 Make a decision
After Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home, he got rid of old things. He made a decision to change things. He gave up his thievery and made the decision to restore and make things right.
God bless you,
Pastor Sun East