Lost

The LORD Jesus once described those who had never repented of their sins as being lost. He told a parable of a man who had 100 sheep. Finding one missing he went out and searched until he found it. Upon returning home he told all his friends and neighbours so they could celebrate with him. Jesus went on to say that there is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).

God has always wanted fellowship with us. For that to happen there is only one Man who can find us and He is the one we must find.

Zacchaeus, a tax collector, was very rich and very corrupt. He heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho and because he was a short man and there was a very large crowd waiting to see Jesus, he climbed up into a sycamore tree to get a better look.

Jesus saw him and told him to come down because He wanted to stay at his house. The Bible says that Zacchaeus received him joyfully.

Zacchaeus believed in the Lord that day and demonstrated his repentance by pledging one half of his possessions to the poor and compensating those he had cheated.

Notice that the Lord was seeking Zacchaeus. Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10). That day He singled out Zacchaeus from a very large crowd and today He continues to seek those who are willing to be saved.

He wants to pick you out of a very large world that continues to reject Him (Revelation 3:20). Will you receive Him with joy as Zacchaeus did?

Notice also that Zacchaeus was seeking the Lord. His effort was great and he did not give up or make excuses about his height. He did not allow himself to be lost in the crowd and he would have missed him if he waited for another day.

Are you seeking the Lord? Do you want Him to find you? What excuses are you making? None of us know how much time we have left. Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

George Ferrier

1999