What I learned today from Zacchaeus

 

Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19)

 

Can you hear Jesus saying that to you? “Come down from all the big important things that occupy your life, your thoughts, and energy. Come down and receive me into your thoughts and your daily life. Let’s have breakfast together. Let’s have coffee, just you and me.”

 

Zacchaeus saw the invitation more clearly than I often do. I am inclined to hear something about religious duty. Zacchaeus heard an invitation from the most amazing and exciting person in his world.

 

I must understand who is calling me to come down. Then like Zacchaeus I will receive him joyfully.

 

The people standing around saw all this and they were critical because they condemned Zacchaeus outright. Therefore, if Jesus would associate with him, he was suspect also.

 

Zacchaeus, aware of this condemnation, saw a way to repent and promised to give half of his wealth to the poor and to return double to anyone he had cheated.

 

Jesus answered him saying, “Today salvation has come to this house… For the son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

 

When I was baptized at 12 years old, I had no idea of what sin was or how I was guilty. I was told that if I became a Christian, I wouldn’t have to go to Hell and I could go to heaven. That was all I understood.

 

Sin didn’t mean much; repentance didn’t mean anything. Hell was really hot and Heaven was really nice, sort of like southern California, without smog and a lot like Disneyland. It was a no-brainer. 

 

Now I see that, for salvation to truly happen in my life, I must become aware of the sin in my life and find the way to repent.