Topic: A Heart For The Lost
TEXT: Luke 19:1-10
9 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And 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.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And 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.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
KEY VERSE:
“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” – (Luke 19:9)
MESSAGE:
Societies often construct artificial barriers that promote some and denigrate others. They decide how their various segments are perceived, what is expected of them, and draw a line beyond which social integration is not permitted. Therefore, some powerful voices rise in the society, to tear down the barriers.
From the beginning of creation, there has been no voice more powerful than that of Jesus Christ. He spoke clearly with His words and even more loudly with His life. On the way to Jerusalem, He must first transit through Jericho. One man in particular, Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector, was desperate to see Jesus. The crowd around Jesus put him off because he was small of stature. He ran and climbed a tree and waited patiently for Jesus to pass through. When Jesus got there, He looked up, and seeing Zacchaeus, called him. The man hastily came down, and while the crowd murmured that Jesus should have nothing to do with him, Zacchaeus began to confess his sins to the Lord. He promised to give out half of his wealth to the poor and to pay a four-fold reparation to anyone he had defrauded. That was all Jesus needed and He declared to Zacchaeus that salvation had come to him and his house because He came “to seek and to save… [the] lost.”
We must never rule out anyone from receiving salvation, irrespective of their sinful life. They may be crooked, notorious and wicked, but Jesus died for them too. When we show love and bring them to the Lord, their hearts are transformed, and this is demonstrated in their outward conduct. They begin a new life that makes their community better and gives them hope of spending eternity with God in heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jesus receives those who come to Him with an open heart.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 3-4
DCLM Daily Manna 21st June 2021 Deeper Life Devotional Message was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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