Out on a Limb

The story of Zacchaeus is one of many stories told which highlight the reason Jesus became man; to save us from ourselves, to bring us the joy of His salvation.  To be perfectly honest, I had never heard this story as a child and that means I had never heard the popular children's song either. (Now you are going to have that tune in your head all day--sorry.)

Tax collectors were Jews who had sold out to the Romans. The people considered them traitors, cheats and thieves, as their job/duty was to extort heavy taxes the Romans levied on the people in order to finance this huge empire.

When Jesus came to town He often caused a stir and this time was no exception.  Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and he wanted to see the man for himself.  Jesus' reputation had gone before him and people were curious.  The despised tax collector must have wanted more in his life to be open to Jesus' words.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke19:10)

Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name and He knew Zacchaeus was a sinner.  Still Jesus called the man down from the tree. Once down, he invited Jesus to his home. Zacchaeus He was obviously ready to have his life changed. Were you ever to that point – ready for a major life-change? 

What is your story?  What brought you to climb out on a limb with the likes of Zacchaeus?  Your story needs to be told too, so that others might hear and sense the same call upon their life.  So that all might hear Jesus' words: “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham." (Luke 19:9)

Luke 19:1-10