It was a wonderful moment in Jericho when Jesus passed through its gates. On that day a great Savior-the Lord Jesus Christ-came face to face with a great sinner-Zaccheus. We see Jesus showing mercy and love to one who, in the eyes and thoughts of other people, was absolutely hopeless.
We read about it in Luke chapter 19, verses 1-7:
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
“And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans [tax collectors], 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.
“And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way.
“And 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.
“And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully.
“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”
I wonder if you will be as wise as this man Zaccheus, the rich tax collector, possibly the most hated sinner in the city.
Zaccheus was undoubtedly a sinner, but he was something more: He was an earnest seeker for Jesus Christ, and this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. When the opportunity came, he acted like a man who had counted the cost, who had thought the whole question through, and who knew what he was going to do when the opportunity came, without hesitation or reservation.
It is no good to sit and sing about the “sweet by-and-by.” I am afraid we say all sorts of sanctimonious things to ourselves where there is no seeking for and surrendering to the will of God. Zaccheus said, “I want to see this Man, this wonderful Savior, this Jesus of Nazareth.” And Zaccheus, away back in the crowd, wanted to see Jesus so much he ran!
Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus so badly he climbed a tree!
Imagine one of the richest men in the city doing what he did to get a look at Jesus! I am not saying that it is essential to climb a tree, but I admire the spirit that makes a man so far forget himself and his position and reputation in his longing desire to know God and to have eternal life. That is the spirit that brings us to the blessing.
And Jesus came along the pathway that led to the base of the tree. He “came to the place.” What place? The place where there is a seeking soul. Jesus always comes there.
He knows where to seek you who have a burdened heart, you who have tearful faces, you who are haunted by your past and longing for a new start in life. Jesus knows where you are, and He is very close to you. God help you to believe and receive it.
“Jesus came to the place,” and when He got there He stopped. Then, “He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”
And Zaccheus hurried. He did not stop to confer with other people or to make excuses; he hurried and came down, and he received Him joyfully.
Zaccheus did two things: He sought and he surrendered. The person who does that will be saved. The people around him said, “Oh, he is a sinner.” They saw an object for scorn and hate; Jesus saw a helpless sinner, and He loved him. He loves you too, more than anybody else does. Don’t refuse Him! Let Him save you, and you too can receive Him joyfully.