TEXT:

‘Some Greeks were among those who had gone to Jerusalem to worship during the festival. They went to Philip (he was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and said, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”’ – John 12:20-21 GNT.

THOUGHT:

 Proselyte Jews from Greece who had come to Jerusalem to worship, approached Philip with the request, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” When Jesus was aware of their desire He said, ‘Now the time   has come for the Son of Manto enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives’ – John 12:23-24 NLT. It’s wonderful when someone wants to see Jesus. To see Him now physically is impossible but we can through the eyes of faith. Someone else who wanted to see Jesus was Zacchaeus – read Luke 19:1-10.

• The most unlikeliest of people want to see Jesus

Zacchaeus was the last person anyone expected to want to see Jesus because of his responsibilities, reputation, ruthlessness and riches. He was the worst of the worst! He had become chief tax collector because he had learnt how to extract the most taxes. Yet he wanted to see Jesus. Do not try to presuppose who is likely to respond when you share your faith. Just make sure everyone has the opportunity to do so.

• Sometimes people will take great delight in stopping someone from seeing Jesus

Once the crowd was aware Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, they made it even worse for him as he tried to squeeze through to get a better view. They closed in tightly together, so he would not get even a glimpse of Jesus. One of the frustrations of Engage Saltash has been the refusal of parents to bring their children to the church, even when they openly said they would like to come. How will they ever get to know the real Jesus? Jesus had a stern warning for anyone making it harder for children to come to faith.

• When you really want to see Jesus, you will think of a way to do it

‘He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way’ – Luke 19:3-4 NLT. “Necessity is the mother of invention!” I remember a young lad wanted to come to the Thursday night service in Padstow. His mother had said “No” and locked the door. So he jumped out of the window instead and came wearing only his trousers! I could not condone his disobedience but I did admire his determination! When we believe seeing Jesus is important enough, we will figure out a way whatever obstacles stand in our way.

• When you really want to see Jesus, you will discover that He really wants to meet you

‘When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said.  “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” – Luke 19:5 NLT. Zacchaeus must have nearly fallen out of the tree with shock. How powerful are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. Jesus received a Word of Knowledge to know Zacchaeus’ name and also a Word of Wisdom to go to his house, although He probably did not know what the outcome would be. Jesus did not care either about the reaction of the crowd criticising His actions in going, for He came to seek and to save the lost.

• When Jesus asks to come to your house, only you can say “Yes”

He will not gate-crash. Jesus said, ‘Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends’ – Revelation 3:20 NLT. Hearing the complaining of the crowd, Zacchaeus could easily have said, “No”, but he welcomed Jesus joyfully. The door to the house is the same as the door of your heart or life. Jesus wants to come inside and be part of it and He will if you let Him, however dirty or disorganised you may feel it is. The Bible says the heart of a man is deceitful and desperately wicked – Jeremiah 17:9, but God says, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow’ – Isaiah 1:18.

• Zacchaeus was not ashamed to stand up for Jesus

‘Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if   I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” – Luke 19:8 NLT.

He could have whispered it quietly, but instead made sure everyone could hear his repentance and change of lifestyle.  Jesus has a wonderful promise for those who speak up for Him. ‘Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven’ – Matthew 10:32. Do people know that you are a Christian? This is why public water baptism is so important. People hear your confession of Christ as your personal Saviour.

• Jesus declared that Zacchaeus had the same faith as Abraham

‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham’ – Luke 19:9 NLT. What an accolade! Zacchaeus’ actions had made him righteous by faith. Jesus will say the same to you. Only He can make the unworthy – worthy, the unlovely – lovely, the unholy – holy. What a wonderful gift from God faith is. We receive it freely from God and we use it to receive from God anything and everything.

I am so glad that this account of Zacchaeus is in the Bible, for it gives everyone hope. God has not ignored you but is looking for you and you will find Him once you start looking in the right direction. When He calls your name, be ready to respond, you will not regret it.