Warriors Arise: February 13, 2022
Luke 19:1-8 (NKJV) Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
What I love about Zacchaeus in verse 5 and 8 is his willingness to respond to the Lord. When Jesus speaks to Him for the first time, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully. He was so willing. Zacchaeus seems to be a get-it-done, kind of man. He reminds me of the Centurion who petitioned Jesus to heal his servant.
Luke 7:2-10 (NKJV ) And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
When I read about Zacchaeus I am reminded of the centurion seeking Jesus to heal his servant, "Just say the word and it will be done." Honestly, I had always thought Zacchaeus was stealing from the people because he was a tax collector. Can you say, Zacchaeus was a tax collector without sounding like you are scoffing with all kind so judgement in your heart. Luke doesn't say Zacchaeus is a lying, stealing, thieving tax collector. He just states his occupation. It is the crowd who is jealous that Jesus would choose Zacchaeus who all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
It makes me sad that I have read this wrong for 50 years! There is no evidence that Zacchaeus is lying, stealing or cheating people out of their money. He is a man who would know his own records. He would know who had stolen from. But he even says, "if." He is willing to let His records be searched and then he is going to give way more than he ever stole. He is going to return whatever he took fourfold. That is incredible. Fourfold is an outlandish amount of money to be paid back. He is pretty confident that he has not taken from anyone however on the off chance something is found, he is willing to openly declare he will give back fourfold.
Who chose who? Did Zacchaeus choose Jesus or did God choose Zacchaeus? Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. He positioned himself. But God saw Zacchaeus and brought Jesus to him. There is no mention of Jesus asking his name. Yes, Jesus is the first to speak and He starts with Zacchaus' name. God told Jesus Zacchaues' name. God wanted this meeting to happen. God is intentional about meeting each one of us.
Father, You chose me before the foundation's of this world. You knitted me in my mother's womb. Your love is amazing. I pray I would position myself to see You, hear You and respond to You. I will come down. I will listen to You. I will not make You wait. I will prepare for You at my table. I open myself to Your invitation in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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