Do not be overawed when others grow
rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when
they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
Psalm 49:16-17
Many people think they are rich. They consider themselves wealthy because they
have money to spare and possessions that others envy. They are considered rich in the eyes of the
world. But if they have no relationship
with Jesus Christ, they are poor. Money
and possessions will have no baring on where a person will spend eternity. A person's money and possessions will not
follow them into eternity. 1 Timothy
6:7 - For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of
it.
Zacchaeus was a man who had great wealth - "he was a
chief tax collector and was wealthy" - Luke 19:2. He was a chief tax collector who worked
for the Roman government and gained his wealth by gouging the Jews. He was a Jew by birth and chose to work for
Rome and thus he was considered a traitor.
But on this day this traitor, this rich man despised by many, heard that
Jesus was passing through Jericho.
Scripture tells us Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was but because he
was short he could not see over the crowd.
So what did he do? He climbed a
sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus. What are
we willing to do to get a better glimpse of Jesus?
Zacchaeus considered himself wealthy and by the worlds
standards, he was wealthy. By Almighty
God's standards he was poor - a lost soul without a personal relationship with
Jesus headed to an eternal hell. On this
day Zacchaeus truly became rich. Jesus
called out to Him. Luke 19:5 - When
Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come
down immediately, I must stay at your house today." Jesus is calling out to many today
seeking to save their souls. God desires
all to be saved. He sent His Son to save
sinners. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 - This is
good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come
to a knowledge of the truth.
No one is outside of God's grace and mercy and beyond the
reach of His offer of salvation.
Zacchaeus was wealthy and was considered a cheater, but Jesus loved
Him. Jesus called out to Him, and on
this day the life of Zacchaeus forever changed.
He accepted the precious gift of salvation that Jesus offered. Luke 19:9-10 - Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son
of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to
seek and to save the lost."
In our world, certain groups of people are considered beneath
others - untouchable. The cause of this
could be their political views, their immoral behavior, or their
lifestyle. Then there are others we may
consider above us because of their financial wealth or their status in
life. We must remember that Jesus loves
them, all people, and desires us to carry the Gospel Message to their lost
souls. Regardless of a person's
background or their previous way of life, Jesus loves them and desires to save
their soul. We must take our God given
responsibility seriously and take the Good News - the Gospel Message to the
world.
On this day Zacchaeus truly became rich.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of
salvation. I pray that no matter the
earthly status of others, we as Christians willingly share with them the Gospel
Message. Help the lost world to see that
they need a Savior and that You Jesus are standing their with open arms. In Jesus Name I pray.....Amen
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