Are You Saved?

How excited will you be if Jesus were to visit your house today?Oh happy day!! I don't know about you, but I would be really very happy to see Jesus in my house. The very thought makes my heart pump a little more faster:)Well, well, but also don't forget that our Jesus is a gentleman. He doesn't barge in just like that nor does He go everywhere He is called. He comes into your house only if you invite Him. In His time on earth, He visited every house that invited Him.But there was one house He visited without any invitation. The man in this house was quite a popular figure but people were not happy with him. He was an unjust tax collector. He falsely accused people and extorted money from the poor. The Jews hated him. Yet, he did have some good qualities in him. What made Jesus to visit his house?I am guessing by now you would have realised who this man is!!?You've got it correct..!! Yes, it's Zacchaeus.We read about his story in Luke 19:1-9. Who was Zacchaeus? See vs 2.

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

Normally, Jesus was always surrounded and followed by a large group of people wherever He went. It was the same story on that day too. Jesus was coming by that way where Zac lived. He had a great desire to see Jesus. But there was one obstacle before him.He was a man of short stature. How could he go through that throng to meet Jesus? Vs 3

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

A thought came to him and he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed the sycamore tree. He hid among the leaves and was waiting to see Jesus pass that way.Note - Zacchaeus was not an ordinary person. He was a rich man. He was like an Income Tax Officer, of our times. Nevertheless, his short stature nor the people's negative views could stop him from climbing the tree and seeing Jesus. Such was his strong desire.Suppose, the President is in town and has plans of visiting the citizens. And you want to see him. Obviously, his entourage would be around him alongwith the black commandos. Would you climb a tree to see him? Our ego would never let us do such a thing.But not with Zacchaeus. Nothing could stop him. Jesus came and stopped right under the tree and looked up. He saw Zacchaeus and said - vs 5

Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

‭‭Zacchaeus was very happy to meet Jesus and joyfully took Him inside his house. He had a change of heart soon after meeting Jesus. In vs 8 he repents and confesses to Jesus about his life.

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.

That's when Jesus said "This day is salvation come to this house." Luke 19:9Not only did Zacchaeus confess and repent for his sin, he also resolved to restore fourfold that which he had falsely taken.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

And the chorus goes like this:-Zacchaeus was a very little manAnd a very little man was he!He climbed upon the sycamore treeFor the Saviour he wanted to see!And when the Saviour passed that wayHe looked into the tree!And said, "Now Zacchaeus, you come downFor I'm coming to your house for tea."Be blessed!