Like Zacchaeus

Luke 19: 2-8 (NIV)

2.A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3.He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4.So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5.When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6.So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7.All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "

8.But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

What is the first thing that comes to our mind when read about the story of Zacchaeus? That he was a wealthy tax collector who cheated people. But we all know that he changed when he had an encounter with Jesus. Yet, for many of us the first impression of Zacchaeus is that he was worst kind of sinner. But the beauty of Zacchaeus story is that, whatever kind of sinner he would have been, he ran to see Jesus when he heard about the Lord.

As fallen human beings we have a deep thirsts and a deep longings to be accepted and loved. And we are all inwardly and unknowingly yearning for such love. And we find that love only in Christ who accepts us in spite of our wrongdoings and forgives us though we may not be worthy of it. And because of this acceptance and love, we automatically repent and turn away from our sins. This is what exactly happened to Zacchaeus. Nobody loved him or accepted him. When Jesus offered to go to his house, people even disapproved of it. But the love Jesus demonstrated for him made Zacchaeus turn into a new man.

Even we like were Zacchaeus fallen, broken inwardly and in need of love. When we heard about Jesus, we too like Zacchaeus ran to him and responded to His love, because of which we are new in Him now.

And if perhaps you are someone still looking forward to be loved and accepted, you will find none none in this world who can give you that kind of love which is fulfilling. But the one who created you and died for you on the cross, shedding till his last drop of blood is willing and is able to give you that love which will satisfy your soul. Would you wish to look for Jesus like Zacchaeus? Jesus is waiting for you...