Ripe for the Picking
Jesus reads souls.
He sees the first stirrings of repentance. He knows when a lost son starts heading home. He senses when a rich person becomes weary of ill-gotten wealth and his own corrupt heart.
That’s why Jesus stops, looks up into a tree, and invites himself to lunch at Zacchaeus’ house.
Zacchaeus seems an unlikely choice for Jesus’ attention. The man is a
chief tax collector, making himself wealthy by working with the Roman
authorities and overcharging his fellow Jews for the required taxes.
He has other collectors working under him, increasing his wealth by expanding his corrupt influence to his employees. He is rich and influential, but his countrymen despise him.
Oddly enough, Zacchaeus has developed a curiosity about Jesus. Who is this person who heals people and blasts religious hypocrisy?
Perhaps someone has told him Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer. The Pharisee exalts himself as he prays; the tax collector asks only for mercy because he recognizes his sinfulness. Zacchaeus would marvel at Jesus’ conclusion: “I tell you, the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home” (Luke 18:14 TEV).
On this particular day, Zacchaeus learns that Jesus is passing by. Something in his heart compels him to try to see Jesus. He is too short among the crowds. No one will offer him a front-row vantage point.
He runs to a nearby sycamore-fig tree, scrambles up among the leaves and figs,
and waits to catch a glimpse.
Suddenly Jesus stops right by his tree.
The crowd quiets down. Jesus looks up and says: “Zacchaeus! Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today” (Luke 19:5 NLT).
I’m surprised Zacchaeus doesn’t fall out of the tree in utter astonishment! Jesus sees him. Jesus knows him by name. Jesus wants to spend time with him—right here, right now.
The little man scoots down, probably dislodging some ripening fruit in his hurry. Little does anyone realize that Zacchaeus himself is the fruit, ripe for picking. Jesus—who reads souls—knows this person is ripe for rebirth into the Kingdom of God.
His conversion is instantaneous. In a burst of joy, Zacchaeus gives public evidence of his changed heart: “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” (Luke 19:8 NIV).
Jesus affirms that salvation has indeed come to Zacchaeus’ house. A lost rich man has entered the Kingdom of God! Jesus has stayed on mission, seeking and saving what is lost.
Zacchaeus’
tax district will soon resound with happy news, as 400% refunds are handed out
by a short man made tall in his love for Jesus.
This story comforts me as I pray long-term for beloved lost ones. The Lord reads souls. He knows when people are ripening. He calls them by name, bringing them to their day of salvation.
Let’s always keep in step with our seeking-and-saving Lord!
©MarionSpeicherBrown
He sees the first stirrings of repentance. He knows when a lost son starts heading home. He senses when a rich person becomes weary of ill-gotten wealth and his own corrupt heart.
That’s why Jesus stops, looks up into a tree, and invites himself to lunch at Zacchaeus’ house.
Zacchaeus seems an unlikely choice for Jesus’ attention. The man is a
chief tax collector, making himself wealthy by working with the Roman
authorities and overcharging his fellow Jews for the required taxes. He has other collectors working under him, increasing his wealth by expanding his corrupt influence to his employees. He is rich and influential, but his countrymen despise him.
Oddly enough, Zacchaeus has developed a curiosity about Jesus. Who is this person who heals people and blasts religious hypocrisy?
Perhaps someone has told him Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer. The Pharisee exalts himself as he prays; the tax collector asks only for mercy because he recognizes his sinfulness. Zacchaeus would marvel at Jesus’ conclusion: “I tell you, the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home” (Luke 18:14 TEV).
On this particular day, Zacchaeus learns that Jesus is passing by. Something in his heart compels him to try to see Jesus. He is too short among the crowds. No one will offer him a front-row vantage point.
Suddenly Jesus stops right by his tree.
The crowd quiets down. Jesus looks up and says: “Zacchaeus! Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today” (Luke 19:5 NLT).
I’m surprised Zacchaeus doesn’t fall out of the tree in utter astonishment! Jesus sees him. Jesus knows him by name. Jesus wants to spend time with him—right here, right now.
The little man scoots down, probably dislodging some ripening fruit in his hurry. Little does anyone realize that Zacchaeus himself is the fruit, ripe for picking. Jesus—who reads souls—knows this person is ripe for rebirth into the Kingdom of God.
His conversion is instantaneous. In a burst of joy, Zacchaeus gives public evidence of his changed heart: “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” (Luke 19:8 NIV).
Jesus affirms that salvation has indeed come to Zacchaeus’ house. A lost rich man has entered the Kingdom of God! Jesus has stayed on mission, seeking and saving what is lost.
Zacchaeus’
tax district will soon resound with happy news, as 400% refunds are handed out
by a short man made tall in his love for Jesus.This story comforts me as I pray long-term for beloved lost ones. The Lord reads souls. He knows when people are ripening. He calls them by name, bringing them to their day of salvation.
Let’s always keep in step with our seeking-and-saving Lord!
©MarionSpeicherBrown
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