Day 35: Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Sometimes it’s easy to read a familiar passage and think, ‘Oh yeah, I know this one,’ and our mind quickly goes to a familiar place of what is happening and what Jesus is teaching us. I was tempted to read this story of Zacchaeus meeting Jesus with the same familiarity I’ve done many times. However, after re-reading this passage a couple of phrases stand out: (1) Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. (2) Zacchaeus welcomed him gladly (another translation says welcomed him with delight).

As I think more about this, I admire Zacchaeus’ curiosity and creativity. He desperately wanted to see who Jesus was. Rather than struggle through the crowds, he found a better way to see – a new perspective. When Jesus calls out to Zacchaeus, he climbs down immediately and welcomes Jesus with delight. There is no hesitation, no unfamiliarity – just pure gladness, happiness, delight!

In the same way, Jesus delights in being with each of us. Our time spent in prayer and understanding the heart of God leads us to renewed, fresh perspectives in our walk with Jesus. Let’s remember Zacchaeus throughout today as we desire to know Jesus more each day and welcome him with delight!

Amy Tabler | Executive Assistant