Seeking and Saving
Scripture Reading — Luke 19:1-10
“Today salvation has come to this house … For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
—Luke 19:9-10
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jericho. There a tax collector, who had often cheated his own people out of tax money for the oppressive Roman Empire, climbed a tree to see Jesus. God’s Spirit must have been working mightily in Zacchaeus’s heart to make him run and risk embarrassment by scrambling up a tree.
Noticing him, Jesus summoned Zacchaeus. And the short swindler came at once. Then Jesus announced that he would visit with this man at his home, a gesture of being on friendly terms. The people in the crowd muttered. Why would Jesus want to be the guest of such a despicable sinner?
Without knowing all that was said, we hear Zacchaeus respond to Jesus by acknowledging him as Lord, giving away half of his possessions, and making restitution to anyone he had cheated. Zacchaeus’s life was changed! Salvation had come to his house!
Lost sinners become sons and daughters of the King. Cheaters and prostitutes, crooked bankers and unfaithful spouses—Jesus came to find them all. He has to be with them. That’s why he came.
When Jesus is welcomed and received, changes take place. Cheating stops, lying ends, relationships are restored, and the poor are cared for. Jesus came to save those who are lost.
Has Jesus come to stay in your heart? Is he a welcome guest at your house?
Lord, thank you for making room in your kingdom for sinners—even me! In your name, Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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