“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:8
Zacchaeus, a tax collector, was a man who had heard about Jesus and wanted to see Him. In fact, he wanted to see Him so badly that he did something unusual. He climbed up a tree in order to see Jesus as He passed by.
Jesus, then, also did something unusual, for people of that time, He called out to Zacchaeus and told him He would go to his house that day. As Jesus said this many people in the crowd around Him gasped for air. Zacchaeus was a very much hated tax collector. Jesus, the great “man of God” was going to be with a bad sinner.
Immediately there was a change in Zacchaeus. He offers to pay back anyone he had ever cheated four times what was cheated. He also gives his money to the poor.
When a person comes in contact with Jesus there will be a change. For some there is a digging in of the heals to remain in the world. They do not want anything to do with Jesus. For others they realize who He really is and dedicate their hearts and lives to Him.
As a person dedicates his life to Jesus, there must be a change. Sinful habits must be done away with, apologies must be made, and wrongs corrected.
All too often, people have come to Jesus in a service or with someone witnessing to them, and there is no real change. They continue to live the same lifestyle they have always lived. Many in the church have not changed in many years. This should not be.
Each day, seek God to show you how to live more like Jesus. See what areas of your life need to improve and what sins you must toss out. There should be outward signs of the change God is making inside you. Can you or anyone else see those changes?
I pray today that God will help you to change; that you will live more for Jesus each day; that your outward lifestyle will reflect Jesus; that you will not live for Jesus just on Sundays; and that you will be a witness for Jesus.
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