30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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LUKE 19 1-10 SEEKING TO SAVE THE LOST 11 Zacchaeus, who was lost, was found
📖 Luke 19:1-10
25Nov2020 - *Zacchaeus, who was lost, was found* - _Luke 19:1-10_ - SEEKING TO SAVE THE LOST 11 – Bible reading: _Acts 16:27-34_
The Lord had crossed the bridge into the heart of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was called by his name. The socio-cultural boundaries were crossed and Jesus had spoken with Zacchaeus as a friend with a friend.
Zacchaeus was deeply moved and his heart was opened to Jesus.
_Luke 19:5-6 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." (6) So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully._
Zacchaeus had a conversion experience. As he came down from the tree in haste and received Jesus, joyfully, a miracle took place in his heart. Zacchaeus was not just receiving Jesus into his home but he was inviting Jesus into his heart and his life.
Zacchaeus, who was lost, was found.
When did the miracle happen? Imagine if Zacchaeus had hesitated and given excuses why he could not come down or receive Jesus into his home.
Praise the Lord, that did not happen. Zacchaeus’ physical action of coming down from the tree, in haste and receiving joyfully, was the outward action that confirms that that was when the miracle took place.
_Psalm 119:59-60 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. (60) I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments._
Friend, you may have accepted the Lord, many years ago but miracles happen every day in our lives. Miracles happen when we turn our feet to God’s precepts. Our obedience to the Lord must be without delay and hesitation.
The Jailor and his household, at Philippi, experienced a miracle as he responded to Paul and Silas.
_Act 16:27-34 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. (28) But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." (29) Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. (30) And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (31) So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."_
_(32) Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. (34) Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household._
God’s miracle took place in the life of Lydia and her household.
_Act 16:14-15 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. (15) And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us._
Every time the lost are found and the miracle of God takes place in a person’s life, there is great rejoicing both in heaven and on earth.
_Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' "_
Zacchaeus was glad to invite Jesus not only to his house but into his empty and searching heart.
What a day of rejoicing it was that Zacchaeus was found by the Lord. It was a day of great rejoicing in heaven and in the heart of Zacchaeus.
*Thought to ponder*
Shall we say, “Yes” to Jesus to see miracles happen in the lives of people, whom the Lord brings into our lives, each day?