Zaccheus: The Man who Sought Jesus

This episode is an encouragement to answer Jesus when He invites you to enter your heart. The story of Zaccheus recorded in Luke 19:1-10 is a reminder that no one is ever too far gone to receive salvation. I pray that this devotional blesses you!

Gospel in the Air is a podcast ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church. We are located in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Our number is (808) 463-8859. You can also visit our website at www.cornerstonemaui.org or you can send your email to danibanggo@gmail.com.

Transcript

Episode 37

Zacchaeus: The Man who Sought Jesus

Luke 19:1-10 

Aloha! How are you today? I hope our devotion for today gives you strength and encouragement and inspires you as we dive into one of the beautiful stories of salvation ever recorded in the earthly ministry of our Lord. It is my prayer that you will be challenged and transformed as we reflect on a loving God looking for anyone willing to accept his grace of forgiveness.  

Today’s devotional scripture comes from Luke 19:1-10. Let me share these verses with you.

19 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Today’s devotion is the story of a man named Zacchaeus, who sought Jesus and was eventually saved.

Zacchaeus is a man who his countrymen despised because he was not just an ordinary tax collector but the chief tax collector. One could imagine how much they hated him, being a puppet and collaborator of the Roman Empire. I don’t doubt that Matthew, one among the 12 apostles of the Lord, knows him well, since he was a former tax collector himself. Since Zacchaeus was small in stature, there was no way for him to press into the crowd, so he decided to climb a sycamore-fig tree. He was curious to see this well-known carpenter from Nazareth who makes the blind see, cleanses the lepers, drives out demons, feeds 5,000 men, raises the dead, and heals the sick. Zacchaeus was curious to see this man from Nazareth who could calm a storm and command the wind, and who could fill the nets with many fish. He was interested in knowing this man from Nazareth who taught with authority and could forgive sins. His curiosity differs from Herod's curiosity about Jesus (Lk. 23:8); and from the Levite who passed by the half-dead man who was robbed on his way to Jericho. This is the story of the Good Samaritan found in Lk. 10, particularly verse 32. Zacchaeus’ curiosity differs from that of the crowd who came to witness Jesus after raising Lazarus (Jn. 12:9). 

Zacchaeus sought Jesus. This makes him different from others who did not believe in the Messiah. Jesus noticed his curiosity! The Bible says that God remembers us in our weakness and He cares for the humble (Ps. 136:23; 138:6). He “restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those with repentant hearts” (Isa. 57:15). Zacchaeus is not deaf and blind to what people are talking about behind his back. He knows too well that he is being despised and hated by many. He is very low in the eyes of men, but with Jesus, he is high in the sight of God because he and the rest of sinners are the reason why God sent His Son into the world, born of a woman in a lowly stable in Bethlehem (Jn. 3:16, Lk. 2:16). 

And then the Lord, upon seeing him on the tree, told him, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today” (5). In other words, Jesus is calling him. Salvation is knocking at the door of his heart; otherwise, he will miss it and have no chance of getting it back. It will be too late. Zacchaeus must act immediately and waste no time. This is echoed resoundingly by Paul in his writing to the Ephesians, saying, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Eph. 5:15-17).

It happened to the Israelites in ancient times when they did not confess their sins immediately when they had a chance. It was too late when they realized. The prophet Jeremiah describes their failure to address their sins immediately, despite God's warning of grave consequences. He told them, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20). They took it for granted the warning of God, and as a result, they were captured by the ruthless pagan nation of Babylon under a mad king, Nebuchadnezzar, and were exiled for 70 long years. Their homeland was deserted, without inhabitants, and became a lair of jackals (Jer. 9:11). This is the reality that we face today, not only for Zacchaeus. It is still the same as before. People cannot commit to receiving Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior because of worldly entanglements, such as family concerns (Matt. 8:21), unbelief (Acts 17:32), and personal convenience (Acts 24:25). 

Following Jesus Christ and becoming his disciple is very costly. Let’s look at the three kinds of would-be disciples found in Luke 9:52-62, namely: the adventurous, the troubled, and the fickle-minded. The adventurous asked the Lord, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (57-58). Then the Lord turned to the troubled one, inviting him, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God" (59-60). And then the third one told the Lord, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (61-62).

Following Jesus isn’t about seeking comfort or popularity. It’s not an easy path, a trend to join, or something people do to boost their image or gain followers, as celebrities or politicians might. Truly being a disciple of Christ means making sacrifices, showing patience, and enduring hardships—it often requires a willingness to suffer for your faith. This calling is challenging because it means surrendering your own desires to follow God’s will, and that’s a daily challenge. In essence, Jesus is asking, “Are you prepared to let go of your concerns and follow me, no matter the cost?” Being a disciple, not merely a Christian, involves stepping out of your comfort zone and giving up the luxuries of life. The adventurous follower in the story fades from view because he wasn’t ready to let go of the comforts he enjoyed.

In the case of the troubled, would-be follower of the Lord, he prioritizes his own wants and interests over following Christ. This means he lets other aspects of his life take precedence over his commitment to Jesus. There are things he isn’t willing to let go of, and he tries to justify his decision to place them above Christ—sometimes even blaming others for his shortcomings as a way of coping. While it’s perfectly understandable and morally right to honor and respect the deceased, especially our parents, when faced with a decision, nothing should come before the Lord. Jesus must be our top priority, our true Master. Jesus corrected the man for failing to put God’s purpose first. This shows just how important and serious it is to be called a disciple of Jesus. Our primary calling is to focus on the work of God’s kingdom; that is our ultimate purpose. This is about making the right choices.

Many people enjoy successful careers, loving families, and financial security, among other blessings. Yet without Jesus in their lives, they miss what truly matters. Wealth, jobs, family, good health, and worldly achievements cannot bring salvation. Only Jesus offers real hope—He is our salvation (Acts 4:12) and the source of true life. In Him alone do we find the promise of eternal life (Jn. 11:25).

The third example, the indecisive follower, highlights that the focus is on serving. When it comes to serving the Lord, distractions must be avoided. Jesus teaches that following Him takes precedence over even the most essential family obligations. His message was so revolutionary that it transformed cultural norms. However, this doesn't mean neglecting our family responsibilities, which is something the Lord disapproves of. In fact, 1 Timothy 5:8 states, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Ultimately, following Jesus isn’t about making an open-ended commitment without understanding what’s required, like signing a blank check. God wants us to carefully consider and recognize the sacrifices involved before we pursue the plans He has set for our lives. 

Often, we become so absorbed in worldly matters that they take precedence over our relationship with God. When anything becomes more important than our connection with the Lord, it gradually pulls us away from Him and eventually leads us to falter. Thankfully, before things spiral out of control, God corrects us. Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds us, “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.’” We shouldn’t dismiss Jesus’ teachings or allow our faith to waver by putting Him last. Letting anything take precedence over Him is a form of idolatry. Even our careers can become idols if we aren't careful. Would you prefer to be corrected by God for neglecting Him, or wait until His discipline makes you realize it’s time to change? God loves you deeply and patiently awaits your renewal of commitment, and you’re putting Him first in your life.

In the case of Zacchaeus, he opened the door of his house and received Jesus joyfully. The scripture clearly says that by receiving Jesus, not only is He received, but the Father as well (Matt. 10:40). Furthermore, if one loves the Lord and obeys his teaching, He and the Father will come to him and make their home with him (Jn. 14:23). And this is true with the Holy Spirit as well. 

The Holy Spirit dwells in you, making your body His temple (1 Cor. 6:19). In short, every believer has the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the triune God, dwelling with him. What a blessed Zacchaeus, because at that very moment he was saved! Zacchaeus deserves punishment rather than forgiveness for collaborating with their enemy. Yet Jesus forgave him and saved him. At that moment, he transformed into a new person, becoming charitable and willing to give half his wealth to the poor, and he promised to repay fourfold to those he had cheated. This is what happened to anyone who received the Lord's invitation. He will be renewed and transformed into a new person.  Take, for example, Peter, who was once impulsive and with an unclean lip (denial of Jesus), became an apostle whose very shadow heals (Ac. 5:15). Another was the demoniac possessed by 2,000 evil spirits, who became a follower of the Lord (Mk. 5:5, 15). John, who was vengeful, became the apostle of love (Lk. 9:53, 54; 1 Jn. 4:7). And the woman at the well of disrepute becomes a forerunner of truth (Jn. 4:17, 18, 29).   

On December 7, 1941, Mitsuo Fuchida led the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and 64 Japanese. After the conflict, Fuchida reconnected with his former flight engineer, Kazuo Kanegasaki, who had been captured and held as a prisoner of war. Kanegasaki recounted that, rather than being subjected to mistreatment and abuse, he and other Japanese prisoners were shown respect and kindness. He spoke of an American woman named Peggy Covell, who, despite losing her missionary parents in the Philippines to Japanese forces, chose to treat Japanese Prisoners of Wars with remarkable compassion. Fuchida was astonished by this act of forgiveness, and it began to reshape his views on Christianity. His transformation deepened after hearing the story of Jacob DeShazer, a former American Prisoner of War who returned to Japan to share the Gospel and demonstrate forgiveness. Deeply affected by DeShazer’s example, Fuchida embraced Christianity in September 1949. The man who had ignited the Pacific War dedicated the remainder of his life to traveling throughout the United States and Japan as a Christian missionary, declaring, “I was a follower of the sword. Now I am a follower of the Cross.”[1]

What a testimony of a man whose dark past was transformed entirely because of the grace of God. Even the vilest of all sinners can still find salvation if he is willing to invite Jesus into his heart and make Him his Lord and Savior. Mitsuo Fuchida is an inspiring story in this case, and it shows that nothing is impossible with God!   

This story teaches us not to dwell on our past. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change it. The apostle Paul comes to mind in this regard. In a letter to the Christians in Philippians, he exhorted them by saying, “… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13, 14). Before Jesus called him, he was known as Saul—a zealous follower of Judaism (Acts 26:5), someone who persecuted the church (Acts 8:3; 22:4), and even took part in murder (Acts 7:58; 26:10, 11). Yet after his encounter with Christ, his name was changed to Paul, and he was utterly transformed, becoming a passionate advocate for the very faith he once tried to destroy. 

Perhaps you’ve faced countless hardships, feeling overwhelmed by relentless challenges and setbacks that nearly broke you and left you feeling hopeless. But even after all this, you’re still here, and you find yourself questioning the reason you’ve survived so much adversity. Why do you think you’re still here today? Perhaps there’s a unique reason and purpose for your life. Maybe God wants you to cherish time with your family, or He’s calling you to be a source of blessing for others. It could be that God is offering you another opportunity to change direction and accept His gift of salvation. Take a moment to reflect: Are you still holding onto resentment? Are you living with a desire for revenge? Are negative thoughts still filling your heart and mind? Remember, Jesus was born in a humble manger to teach us the true meaning of life—He cares deeply for you and loves you. He wants you to experience eternal life and share in His presence with your loved ones in heaven. What will you decide? The choice is yours. 

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). Do you have any idea about that name Jesus the Messiah (Christ) and what it means to you? Jesus Christ is God’s Son who came into the world by making “himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… being found in appearance as a man” (Phil.2: 7-8).

Jesus Christ, who from the beginning was called the Word of God, became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14). He came into this world to find you and bring you into His fold. He emptied himself because of you. Because of you, He died on the cross, and his blood was shed for the remission of your sin. He declared it resoundingly, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly!” (Jn. 10:10).

I hope today’s message has been a blessing to you. Please continue to listen and share this message with your loved ones. May you find strength and encouragement as you walk in faith. Thank you for giving me the privilege of your time. This is your host, brother Dani Marantan Banggo, encouraging you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Mahalo! 

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[1] “Mitsuo Fuchida: From Pearl Harbor Attacker to Christian Evangelist by Matt Forster (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/mitsuo-fuchida-christian-evangelist). See also Trad West @trad_west on his post regarding Mitsuo Fuchida and Jacob DeShazer (x.com).