November 19, 2024

Luke 19:1-10

Continuing on the theme of seeking God ceaselessly, today’s reading is about Zacchaeus, who wanted see Jesus as he approached Jericho. He was too short to be able to see above the crowd, so finally he climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Who among us is not seeking to see the face of Jesus? 

 Firstly, Zacchaeus’ story shows us a person who encounters God after seeking him persistently, without giving up.  Second, we understand from the story of Zacchaeus that we do not have to be perfect according to the standards of the world in order to see Christ. Zacchaeus meets Jesus as a sinner, one who society thought was the worst kind of person, a tax collector who extorted money from the helpless hand over fist, but he comes away from the encounter a radically changed man. He is determined to give half his possessions to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he has wronged. As Jesus says, “Salvation has come to this house.” Zacchaeus did not start out trying to be a good person and then generate the merit to meet Jesus, but rather he met Jesus where he was through his longing to see Jesus’ face.

Thirdly, this passage shows that while we seeking Jesus, he is also seeking us.  Jesus says, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” No one needs to feel like they are not good enough to meet Jesus.

Summary: Continuing on the theme of seeking God without ceasing, Zacchaeus persisted in trying to see Jesus’ face. Although he was a tax collector and extortionist, he met Jesus with open heart and found salvation. While we are seeking Jesus, he “has come to seek and to save what was lost.” No one should feel they are not good enough to meet Jesus.