DCLM Higher Everyday 18 July 2024 — The Zeal of Zacchaeus
DCLM Higher Everyday 18 July 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Zeal of Zacchaeus
Topic: The Zeal of Zacchaeus
Text: Luke 19:1-10
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5And 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.
6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8And 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.
9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Key Verse: “And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way” (Luke 19:3,4).
Message
What differentiates average students and pacesetters is their zeal. In our text, Zaccheus heard about Jesus and made it a point of duty to see Him. This longing was so intense that he was willing to climb a sycamore tree. Though Zacchaeus was a very wealthy man, he had a strong desire to see Jesus. He did not allow his small stature or social status to hinder him from seeing Jesus. How many of us can boast of this kind of passion today?
As a result of his passion, Jesus went to his house and dined with him. It did not stop there, Zacchaeus promised to pay back in fourfold the people he had cheated in the past. Jesus said to him, “This day is salvation come to this house…” When Jesus comes into our lives, there is salvation. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”Open the door of your heart to Jesus, now.
Quote: Desire to see Jesus
Challenge: Experience salvation.
Prayer for today: Lord, give me the passion to know you more.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
