REF: Luke 19:1-10
If you were raised in the church as I was you probably sang the song, Going to Your House Today. If you weren’t raised in the church and haven’t heard the song you could consider yourself fortunate. Just to remind you it starts out with, “Zacchaeus was a ‘wee little man,’” and if you were short of stature, as I, you may have been called “wee”. Just as in verse 4 of Luke 19, it states in the song, “He climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” Now a sycamore tree is known for both it’s size as well as it’s growth pattern. Photos of a sycamore show a very dense, leafy tree that if one climbed they may not be seen. But, with a proper vantage point they could see very well from the tree. I believe this is evident when Jesus stops along that path, looks up and bids Zacchaeus to “come down, for I must stay at your house today.” Are you prepared for Jesus to come to your house today?
As we continue to read the story, we see that the crowd was not pleased with Jesus and His decision to be the guest of a sinner, yet aren’t we all sinners? I am sure the crowd knew Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector of the area. There were more than likely rumors of his collection activity and methods. Yet, Zacchaeus (REF verse 8) stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it four-fold.”
Was this entire episode in time shown to us to see Jesus inviting himself to a sinner’s home, or was this showing Jesus giving Zacchaeus the opportunity to publicly confess that he is honest in his collection, and show his generosity? Regardless of the reason, Zacchaeus was prepared to both give an account as well as receive Jesus into his house. In verse 9 and 10 we see Jesus respond to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house…… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus gave opportunity for Zacchaeus to show the world what he gives and he had prepared to receive Jesus.
So back to my original question, are you prepared for Jesus to come to your house? What would you give as an account to your giving? Would you be willing to show or publicly confess reconciliation for any wrong you may have done? I know I struggle with asking for support and recently have been challenged that it is not between us as a ministry and you or anyone else as a giver. It is between you and Jesus and if he came to your house would Salvation need to come? Just as with Zacchaeus, those around him only knew his business dealings, they didn’t know his heart and that which he had done with what he collected. Jesus knew, and Jesus knows now. Jesus knows your heart. Jesus knows you want to see Him and see His commission fulfilled.
We at Here2There just want to provide a place for your giving to go so “That All May Know Him” through the church, using strategies taught and implemented because of a partnership with Here2There and you. You are as much a part of this ministry as we are. Please today look at where you are giving, and if Here2There is not a part of it please consider us as we continue to “Close the Gap between Churches and Missionaries.”
Wayne Pierce Operations Lead
