Jesus came to seek and save the lost

Hi there,

The commentaries I've read on today's passage split two ways on Zacchaeus' words but come together on Jesus'.

One thing is certain: if you only copy out one verse from this passage, let it be this one;

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Is Zacchaeus trying to "earn" his salvation by mollifying the crowd, or is he truly repentant?

Either way, it is Jesus who is judge, and he proclaims that Zacchaeus is saved.

Not because of any action on his part but solely because Jesus sought him to save him.

No amount of climbing of trees and public acts of generosity can secure salvation. It is only the gift of God that does so.

Today's text is Luke 19:7-9.

Today's lines to copy are in black; Yesterdays are in gray.

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.

⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

⁸ 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.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Encouragement

To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son; Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the kingdom of heaven to all who believe.

Fanny J. Crosby

If you have a few minutes this morning, you might want to listen to a version of this​ hymn here.​
​

Andy