A Common Robber

When You Don't Mind Losing it All

There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a rich tax collector. As Jesus was passing through Jericho, this man wanted to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way (Luke 19:4). This was an undignified position for someone of Zacchaeus's rank, but he was desperate to see Christ. 

​When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." (v. 5). Can you imagine the Son of God inviting himself to come and visit with you in your own home? Out of all of the crowds of people that day, the Son of God wants to come in and dine with you. What a beautiful picture of Christ's love for us. He is standing at the door wanting to visit with us. To come in and dine with us. To have a conversation with us. 

So he hurried and come down and received him joyfully (v.6). And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner" (v.7). Yes, indeed, he was, as Zacchaeus himself admitted. He had judged himself as the lowest of common robbers.  Because of this, he was willing to give half of all he had to the poor and to give back fourfold what he had fraudulently taken. 

Zacchaeus had just found incomprehensible spiritual riches and did not mind if he had to lose his material wealth to gain salvation through Christ Jesus. Do we count our sin as being the lowest of common robbers? For when we sin, we sin against God. Can we, like Zaccahaeus, repent and let go of material wealth and acknowledge that we have robbed God?

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (v.9). Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost. Meditate on that. All of this was for us! From Genesis to Revelation. 

Lord, I come to you with a humbled heart that is full of overwhelming joy. A joy unspeakable. My heart cannot contain it. Today, while it is still called today, may all those that will listen and believe come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Lord, I cry out to you for all of those who are lost. God open their eyes so that they may see your wonderful works. May they see You and hear your call on their lives to repent and believe. We are all the lowest of common robbers. We have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory. But thanks be to God you have ransomed us from your wrath. You have sent Your Son Jesus Christ to pay our penalty. And it is in the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray, amen.