DCLM Higher Everyday 28 December 2022 — The zeal of Zacchaeus
DCLM Higher Everyday 28 December 2022 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.
2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
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.
MEMORY 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 sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way” (LUKE 19:3, 4).
MESSAGE:
Zacchaeus, like many dubiously rich men today, was greedy, selfish and despised by his society. But, unlike many rich men today, he earnestly sought to meet Jesus. No price was too high for him to pay. Nothing could stop him, not even the handicap of his little stature amidst a thick crowd.
Imagine a millionaire today running, climbing up a tree and then climbing down at Christ’s command in the full view of the common people! He wanted salvation desperately, and he obtained it.
However, it is not mere zeal that saved Zacchaeus. What saved him was the acceptance of his guilt, genuine sorrow for sin, faith in the Saviour and willingness to correct his past. These fuelled his zeal.
Learn from Zacchaeus that you must conquer your pride in order to be saved. Like him, you must seek the Lord passionately, repent of your sins fully and receive the Lord joyfully. There is no other way to salvation.
Zeal means the pursuit of a goal with great energy or enthusiasm. Zacchaeus directed his zeal wisely. The question is, “Are you as wise as he was?”
QUOTE: He wanted salvation desperately.
CHALLENGE: Nothing is worth seeking above salvation.
PRAYER: Lord, I need You more than life itself.
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)
