Luke 19:
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Why do you think Jesus singled out Zacchaeus to abide in his house that day?
There were many other home owners that were more politically correct than Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus was a hated publican, even a chief publican that had wronged many Jews.
Other Jews looked at Zacchaeus as a traitor, getting rich at the expense of ordinary Jews.
There were many other people attempting to see Jesus, but Zacchaeus went out of his way.
He didn't sit back because of handicaps to hold him back. He climbed a tree.
Only Zacchaeus climbed that tree to get closer. It was Zacchaeus that was earnestly seeking.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Notice when Jesus came under that tree, He didn't ask Zacchaeus what his name was.
Jesus knew Zacchaeus was in that tree and he was seeking Jesus.
Notice,p Jesus knew his name. Does He know your name today?
God can stir the hearts of not just the righteous but the worst of men.
God deals with the conscience and the curiosity of men and women
Zacchaeus was everything the Jews hated
He was probably rich at other's expense.
He was not just a sinner but a chief among the sinners.
Even as bad as Zacchaeus was, Jesus was concerned for him and us.
Jesus knew his name.
Jesus knew where he was.
Jesus knew his possessions ( his house )
Jesus knew his needs ( Zacchaeus needed salvation )
Jesus called Zacchaeus, ( 5.... Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Have you ever watched "The Price is Right" they call out "come on down"
Zacchaeus was coming down to something much better.
Zacchaeus had to come to Jesus ( 6 And he made haste, and came down, .)
Zacchaeus had to receive Jesus ( 6 and received him joyfully)
Zacchaeus had Jesus as a guest in his home.
Think for a moment if the Glorified Jesus walked into your home, would you be embarrassed?
Would you be ashamed on what He would see on your TV, or the books you are reading. What if your friends came to visit you while He is there?
Would you be embarrassed or proud?
Zacchaeus had to overcome the world's resistance and reticule ( 7 they all murmured)
Zacchaeus became a different person.... from being a self gainer to being a giver, from being swindler to being a restorer.
( 8 Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold )
Zacchaeus wanted to correct his previous evil actions ( restitution )
Jesus knows the heart of man. Jesus recognized that Zacchaeus was sincere.
( 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. )
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Jesus knows the names of those seeking Him.
Just like He wanted to abide with Zacchaeus, He wants to abide with each of us.
He wants to have free access to our lives.
When Jesus abides with us, like Zacchaeus, our attitudes and desires change.
Because of love toward Jesus:
There will be a desire to repent.
There will be a desire to glorify Jesus.
By His abiding spirit we become a new creature.
( 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. )