Z

Zebras, Zeal, Zest, Zoos, and Zacchaeus

Clean and pure is what Zacchaeus’ mom named him. Sure all babies seem that way when they are born. Something happened to him as he was growing up because when we meet him, Zacchaeus was a despised and ruthless tax collector. He cheated many out of their money. Maybe it was because it was his way to even for all the teasing he got growing up for being the shortest kid. The only person that knew his heart was passing through his town. He had heard about Jesus and wanted to see him but the people of the crowd hated him and the only way he could possibly see Jesus was to climb a tree. Now Jesus knew that Zacchaeus’ heart was not clean and pure. He also knew what tree it was that he had climbed and stopped right at it. Can you imagine how Zacchaeus felt when Jesus looked at him in the eyes and announced that he was going to his house right then and there? Wow, Jesus was going to his house and there was no time to clean it up. Did pride seep in that Jesus chose to go to his house? Wait a minute, Jesus was coming to his house, was He going to confront him for stealing money? What type of rollercoaster of emotions was going on inside of Zacchaeus? We are not told about what they talked about except that it was life-changing for Zacchaeus. His heart was once again clean and pure, to show that Jesus had made a difference in his life he gave back what he had cheated the people out of plus interest. He was really thankful that Jesus came to his house. What does Jesus need to clean out of your heart?

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:9-10 ESV