“For today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5
This may be the most ridiculous-sounding story in the Bible. It’s one of those stories, however, that makes you know that the Bible is true because you can’t make this stuff up. The reputation of Jesus was widespread and Zacchaeus, like many of the common folk, wanted to see him. He may have been curious, or fascinated with the character of Jesus, or an adoring fan. Some people show up to see; others to be seen. One thing was certain, Zack was not satisfied with hearing about Jesus. Was He a blasphemer, a fraud, an opportunist, or a trouble-maker? But others said he was a healer. The Centurion said he raised the dead. Some said he multiplied loaves and fishes and fed five thousand people.
God only knows what all people say about Pentecostals! Exaggerated stories make their rounds about these “Spirit-filled” fanatics—they swing from the chandeliers, run on the backs of the pews, cast spells on people and force people to speak in tongues. We have footprints on the walls and some people bring their sneakers to church so they can run faster than the others! We keep little boxes of snakes under the pulpit for those who really have a lot of faith. We’ve been accused of mass psychology, crowd manipulation, stretching the Bible out of shape, spiritual abuse and cultism. Unbelievable.
Zacchaeus had a problem. He was a small man and could not see over the heads of people. He could have dismissed the opportunity to see Jesus from the get-go. “It’s not use. I’ll never get to see him. Forget it.” Plus, his problem was permanent. He wasn’t going to get any taller. He was forever stuck in the vertically challenged world. But, Zacchaeus was a resourceful man. He anticipated the problem (he had run into it before) and so before the crowd could get there, he ran and climbed up a sycamore tree. Zacchaeus had only come to check things out. There was something, though, that Zacchaeus had not anticipated. He came to see Jesus. But the scripture deals us a curve ball. “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him.” This is the irony of it all. The rich man became poor. The adult became the child. The seeker became the one sought after! Zacchaeus came looking for Jesus. What he discovered was that Jesus had come looking for Zacchaeus! It was as though the only reason why Jesus came to Jericho was to look up into a sycamore tree to seek the seeker.
The most amazing thing happened. The host became the guest. Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house, and Zacchaeus received Him joyfully. Jesus wanted to do more than spy Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree, or exchange pleasant greetings with him. Zacchaeus needed more than just a pat on the back or a thumbs-up. Jesus sought out this man to rearrange his life forever. He wanted to make a permanent impression on him. The only way he could do that was to come to his dwelling place and abide with him. Shaking hands with the Master wouldn’t have cost him much, but neither would it have impacted Zacchaeus much. It was when Zacchaeus took Jesus home with him that he discovered what forgiveness was all about. It was when he took Jesus home with him that he had the power to make right decisions in his life. Had he seen Jesus in the crowd but returned to the same old mess at home, nothing would have changed.
Have you really taken Jesus home with you? The seeker may not be you, today. The seeker may be Christ. What great work, what significant change, what precious soul, what great revival, what all-absorbing call may the Lord Jesus Christ have in mind for you? Can Jesus come to your house today?