May 16, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Jesus and Zacchaeus

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.

Notice: there were two seekers in this story. Zacchaeus was seeking to see Jesus and Jesus, by the providence of God, was seeking Zaccheaus. God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge knew exactly what was going to happen that day. We know this for Jesus said, “I must abide at thy house.” He knew that, because He already knew that, for He is God.

Zaccheaus was by all considered a sinner, he was a tax collector. It is a bit humorous to know that the name Zaccheaus means purity. His life was probably not so pure because of his employment. As a publican, he most likely purchased his territory from which to gather taxes. Doing so ostracized him from the Jewish culture. (Jewish land must not be sold outside of Jewish families. It is God’s land given to the Jews.)

I once owned a press route as a young boy. The paper routes back then had to be purchased from the former press boy. We would weekly, go door to door and collect the money for that weeks paper and delivery service. Then, once a month, we would go to the local restaurant and meet with the company representative and pay for the papers we ordered for that month. We had to order and pay for each paper, consequently we had to collect the money from those who wanted the paper.

Zaccheaus was operating with under the same principle, only, he was doing so for the Romans. Unlike a press route, his operation in that territory caused great problems with the people who considered him a sinner. He was collecting more than was needed and it made him rich.

We find that something changed in Zaccheaus’ life, he was returning what he had taken back to the people. Verse 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.”

What happened? I believe Zaccheaus was the publican in Luke chapter 18 who smote his breast and said, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

You see Zaccheaus was convicted and sought forgiveness from God. Shortly thereafter Jesus seeks Zaccheaus.

Notice what happens at Zaccheaus’ house.  Verse 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.”

My friend, if you want to have peace and hope and restoration in your relationship with God let Jesus into your heart and life?

That day, Zaccheaus, who was a son of Abraham for he was a Jew, also became a child of God.

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook

If you have a modern bible verse ten most likely will be changed or removed from it. Be careful what bible you read.