Have you ever being curious to know who Jesus is? Maybe you’ve heard stories about him, you’ve probably been in a Church before, or someone close to you mentions Him constantly! I’ve known many people that are curious about this Jesus’ thing, but don’t want to get too close to find out. Some of them may feel like Jesus would never ever look at them or care for them. Some others are a little ashamed of their past and do not feel worthy of Him. And there’s some people that just don’t feel ready to meet Him yet. If you’ve ever felt like this, then I want to tell you a story of a guy that was in that same thinking, until Jesus found him. (You can find this story in Luke 19:1-10).
HOW DID JESUS KNOW HIS NAME?
His name was Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was because he heard so many things about him. This Jesus was performing miracles, changing people’s lives and even creating some trouble in the area. So he wanted to see if all of that was true, and what was so special about this man. So, he followed the crowd, but because he was short he could not see over the people. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him. I bet he was extremely curious and maybe even had some hope that this man would do something for him. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” In shock, Zacchaeus came down at once and welcomed him gladly. How can this strange man want to come to his house? And how in the world did he know his name?
This looks like a great story, right? Well, some people didn’t think so. They began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” Yes, they were judging this short man for being too close to the Messiah (Jesus), but they were also judging Jesus for spending time with a sinner, and even going to his house!
In this story, we see how Jesus is not focused on what we’ve done, or where we’ve been. He is more interested in who we are, and who we can become in Him. He wants to be with us, love us and transform us from the inside out. No matter what others may think or say about us. It doesn’t matter how “unworthy” we may feel. He wants to spend time with us. Jesus wants to come and get to know us. He wants to give YOU his great love and forget the things from your past. Because in Jesus… all things are new!
“Therefore if any man (or woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
WOULD YOU OPEN THE DOOR?
So, What if Jesus came to your house? Would you open the door for him?
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”-Jesus (Revelation 3:20-21)