“Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him” (John 1:38-39).
Building Relationships With Individuals
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho” (Luke 19:1). Jericho is a city that lies under a curse pronounced by God (Josh. 6:26). What an apt picture of this world—under a curse for its sin and doomed to destruction. Into such a world Jesus comes, in order to bring the love of God to lost, ruined man. But He comes to build one-on-one relationships with individuals, not just with the race of mankind as a whole.
“And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature” (Luke 19:23). Here is one of those individuals upon whom Jesus sets His eye. Out of the masses that constantly surround Him, the Lord Jesus shows the tender compassion and interest of His heart to individual people.
Hindrances
Zaccheus has plenty of hindrances. First, his occupation classes him, in the world’s view, as a sinner (vs. 7), and he is a chief among them. Second, he is wealthy, and the Lord Jesus had just taught His disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (ch. 18:24). And third, he is “little of stature,” reminding us of the truth of that well-known verse, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
But one other feature marks Zaccheus: his heart longs to see Jesus, who He is, and he isn’t going to let any of his natural hindrances get in the way of this deep desire. “He ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way” (Luke 19:4).
With the press of people around Him, does the Lord Jesus have time to attend to the needs and desires of one anxious heart? Yes! That is just the purpose for which He came into this sad world.
Faith Recognized
“When Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (vs. 5). It has been said that He may test faith, but He’ll never disappoint it. Zaccheus might have thought he had an inconspicuous spot from which to get a passing glance at this important Person, but Jesus would not be satisfied till He could “abide” with Zaccheus.
“And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully” (vs. 6). How eagerly and how joyfully faith obeys. How “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20) does our God delight to respond to the slightest motions of faith in our hearts.
Faith Tested
We soon learn that part of the test of faith comes from opposition from others. In this case they complain about the unworthiness of the object on whom the Lord was focusing His attention. “When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” (vs. 7). As a matter of fact, we are utterly unworthy. Isn’t our condition as sinners the only ground on which the Saviour can bestow His abundant blessing on us? The Lord Jesus said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:13).
Usually our first reaction to accusations is to try to justify ourselves. We don’t want our self-righteousness to go unnoticed. “Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (vs. 8). That word, “I am not come to call the righteous,” is for us too. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8:33-34).
Faith Rewarded
“Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10). What does it mean to be “a son of Abraham”? Abraham was a man characterized by faith in God, and “they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9). Not only is faith tested, it is rewarded. When we come to where Jesus dwells, we find salvation—“eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9)—for our sinful, lost hearts. Nothing else—nothing less—will give rest and peace and joy to our souls.
D. R. Macy